Some movies are classics, so timeless you can watch them 100 times without the thrill fading away. “The Last Unicorn,” released in 1982, is one of those films that never loses its appeal.
The movie is based off a novel — by the same name — written by Peter S. Beagle in 1968. The plot of the movie follows what is believed to be the last unicorn on earth after she hears a cryptic riddle from a butterfly that the rest of the unicorns were captured long ago. The butterfly also makes mention of a feared red bull that drove the unicorns to their prison in a castle by the sea. She seeks out the castle of the infamous King Lear after a long gallop across the land. Along the way, she collects a ragtag group of companions, including a goofy magician and a unicorn-loving maiden.
A feeling of mystery permeates the film. From cryptic riddles, vengeful harpies and spells gone wrong, the movie is far from a Disney fairytale. The film feels most like an enthralling legend. In fact, one might go so far as to describe this film as eerie. It certainly scared me when I was a little kid watching it for the first time. The image of the red bull awakening to drive the unicorns across the land is haunting.
The thing that stands out most in this movie is its creativity. It is not often you come across an animated film with the same level of intrigue and depth of character “The Last Unicorn” possesses. The characters shine, with a star-studded cast providing the voices: Mia Farrow voices the last unicorn, Jeff Bridges voices Prince Lir, Alan Arkin voices Schmendrick the magician and Christopher Lee voices King Haggard. The voices are all perfect matches for their characters and serve to enhance the story. The soundtrack also fits the movie perfectly. All songs in the film were performed by America and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The music invokes emotions ranging from sorrow to triumph, with the lyrics grabbing you and placing you within the story.
“The Last Unicorn” may not be on the top of anybody’s must-watch list due to its age, but it certainly should be. If you watched the film growing up or if you have yet to experience its magnificence, it is time to soak it in. It is a movie that will stick with you long after you watch it. Take a break from new releases to view something truly unique.
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