Bartok the Magnificent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bartok the Magnificent |
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DVD cover
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| Directed by | Don Bluth Gary Goldman |
| Produced by | Don Bluth Gary Goldman |
| Screenplay by | Jay Lacopo |
| Starring | Hank Azaria Kelsey Grammer Catherine O'Hara Andrea Martin Tim Curry Jennifer Tilly French Stewart Phillip Van Dyke Diedrich Bader |
| Music by | Stephen Flaherty |
| Editing by | Bob Bender Fiona Trayler |
| Studio | Fox Animation Studios |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | November 16, 1999 |
| Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Bartok the Magnificent is a fun animated adventure and comedy movie from 1999. It was released straight to video. The film was directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman.
This movie is a spin-off and prequel to the 1997 film Anastasia. That movie was also directed by Bluth and Goldman.
The story is about the kidnapping of a young czar (a Russian emperor) before the Russian Revolution. Hank Azaria voices Bartok, a small, bumbling albino bat. Bartok used to be the sidekick to the character Rasputin in the Anastasia movie.
Don Bluth has worked on many films that later got sequels or TV shows. But Bartok the Magnificent is the only spin-off project he was directly involved with.
Contents
The Story of Bartok's Adventure
Bartok, an albino bat, arrives in Moscow. He performs amazing tricks for the people there. His best trick is pretending to defeat a fierce grizzly bear. The crowd loves Bartok's bravery. They give him lots of gold. The young czar Ivan Romanov even gives Bartok a special royal ring. Ivan's assistant, Ludmilla, is not happy about this.
Bartok and Zozi's Partnership
After the show, Bartok is counting his money. He is surprised when the bear stirs. It turns out the bear, named Zozi, is Bartok's business partner. The bear was never really savage! Zozi is worried about the royal ring. But Bartok refuses to give it back because it was a gift.
The Missing Czar and a New Mission
Soon after, Czar Ivan is kidnapped by the mysterious witch Baba Yaga. People start looking for a rescuer right away. Two children suggest Bartok. Bartok and Zozi were already heading to St. Petersburg when some Cossacks (Russian soldiers) spot them.
Bartok is brought before the townspeople. They are counting on his courage to save Ivan. Bartok is a bit scared, but he agrees to help. He and Zozi set off for the spooky Iron Forest.
Challenges in the Iron Forest
When they reach Baba Yaga's hut, they face a giant skull at the entrance. It gives them a riddle to solve. After solving the riddle, Bartok is captured by Baba Yaga. She tells him that to save Ivan, he must find three special items in the forest. He has to do it all by himself!
The items are:
- Her pet, Piloff
- Oble's Crown
- The Magic Feather
Bartok quickly learns these tasks are very hard. Piloff is frozen to a huge boulder. Oble is a giant blacksmith surrounded by fire. Bartok must trick him to steal his crown. The Magic Feather must be taken without flying. He can only use the two items he found before.
Baba Yaga's True Plan
Bartok returns to Baba Yaga with all the items. The witch then says she needs something from Bartok himself. Bartok offers many things, but Baba Yaga refuses them all. Bartok gets angry and accuses her of lying. He says everyone hates her.
Suddenly, Bartok feels bad and apologizes. He starts to cry. This is what Baba Yaga needed: "tears from the heart." She uses the items and Bartok's tears to make a special potion. She then reveals that she never kidnapped Ivan! The potion was actually for Bartok. It will make whatever is in his heart appear ten times bigger on the outside.
Ludmilla's Deception
Bartok and Zozi go back to town. They lead Ludmilla and Vol, the Captain of the Guard, to the top of the tower. Ivan is locked up there. Ludmilla then locks Bartok and Vol in with Ivan. She reveals her evil plan: she had Vol kidnap the prince! She told Vol to "get him out of the way," meaning to kill him. But Vol misunderstood and just locked Ivan up for safety. Ludmilla wanted to blame Baba Yaga and steal the throne for herself.
Ludmilla takes Bartok's potion. She thinks it will make her beauty ten times greater. But the potion actually makes her true wickedness show. She transforms into a giant, pinkish-purple dragon with three horns and no wings! After seeing her reflection, Ludmilla becomes a wild beast. She starts burning the town with her fiery breath.
Bartok the Hero
Zozi arrives and saves Bartok, Ivan, and Vol from the tower. Bartok bravely battles Ludmilla. He tricks her into climbing the crumbling tower. When she reaches the top, the tower falls apart. Ludmilla is crushed, and a huge wave of water gushes out, putting out all the fires.
The townspeople gather around the wreckage. Zozi praises Bartok as a true hero. Not only did he defeat Ludmilla, but he also showed kindness to Baba Yaga. Bartok gives Ivan his royal ring back. Baba Yaga appears and writes "Bartok, The Magnificent" in the sky. Bartok says goodbye to Baba Yaga and Piloff, knowing he will see them again someday.
Voice Cast
- Hank Azaria as Bartok
- Kelsey Grammer as Zozi
- Catherine O'Hara as Ludmilla
- Frank Welker (uncredited) as Dragon Ludmilla
- Andrea Martin as Baba Yaga
- Tim Curry as The Skull, the guard at Baba Yaga's hut
- Jennifer Tilly as Piloff, Baba Yaga's pet
- French Stewart as Oble
- Phillip Van Dyke as Tsar Ivan Romanov
- Diedrich Bader as Vol, Ivan's friend and Captain of the Guard
- Glenn Shadix as Townspeople Ensemble
- Danny Mann as Head Cossack
- Zachary B. Charles as Little Boy
- Kelly Marie Berger as Little Girl
See also
In Spanish: Bartok el Magnífico para niños
