Swan Lake (1981 film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Swan Lake
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Kimio Yabuki
Produced by	Chiaki Imada
Written by	Hirokazu Fuse
Starring	See voices
Music by	Peter Tchaikovsky
Studio	Toei Animation Soyuzmultfilm
Distributed by	Toei Company (Japan) The Samuel Goldwyn Company (USA/Canada)
Release date(s)	March 14, 1981 (1981-03-14) (Japan)
Running time	75 minutes (Japan)
Country	Japan Soviet Union
Language	Japanese / Russian

Swan Lake is an anime film based on the famous ballet of the same name. The ballet's music was composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. This animated movie first came out in Japan on March 14, 1981. It was made by Toei Animation in Japan, working with Soyuzmultfilm from the Soviet Union.

The film was the first animated movie ever shared by The Samuel Goldwyn Company in the United States. It was directed by Kimio Yabuki. The movie uses Tchaikovsky's original music. It also stays very true to the classic Swan Lake story.

Two different English versions of the movie were made. One used regular voice actors. The other used famous actors like Pam Dawber as Odette and Christopher Atkins as Siegfried. This second version was shown on TV channels like American Movie Classics and The Disney Channel.

The film became available on DVD in 2017. This DVD includes the original Japanese version and both English versions. You can also watch the Samuel Goldwyn Company English version online.

Story of Swan Lake

Prince Siegfried's Adventure

The story begins with Prince Siegfried. One day, he is riding with his friends. He sees a beautiful swan with a crown on its head. The swan is swimming on a lake. One of his friends, Adolf, tries to shoot the swan. But just before the arrow flies, Adolf turns into a stone statue!

Siegfried's other friend, Benno, thinks the swan used magic. They do not notice an owl watching them. Siegfried cannot stop thinking about the swan. He decides to follow it as it swims away. Siegfried soon finds himself at a mysterious castle.

Meeting Princess Odette

Siegfried watches in amazement. The swan changes into a lovely woman wearing a white dress. He walks up to her. At first, she is scared and tells him to leave. But Siegfried keeps asking, so she starts to tell him her story.

Her name is Princess Odette. Three years ago, an evil sorcerer named Rothbart kidnapped her. Rothbart is the owl they saw earlier. He wanted to marry her. Rothbart put a curse on Odette. She turns into a swan during the day. This curse can only be broken if a man loves her with all his heart.

Siegfried tells her he felt something special when he first saw her eyes. He asks her to come to his birthday party the next night. He wants to choose her as his bride there.

Rothbart's Evil Plan

Odette first says no to Siegfried's invitation. But Siegfried is determined. He convinces her to come. When she returns to her room, she dreams of him. Two squirrels, Hans and Margarita, are watching everything.

Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, learns about Siegfried. His daughter, Odille, tells him. Rothbart goes to Odette. He tells her to forget the prince and marry him instead. Odette refuses. She tells him she has loved Siegfried for three years.

Rothbart will not let Odette go to the ball. He locks her door and raises the drawbridge. Then, he and Odille make a plan. They want Siegfried to fall in love with someone else. That someone is Odille.

Deception at the Ball

Odille disguises herself as Odette. She wears a black dress. She goes to Siegfried's ball. She tricks Siegfried into believing she is the real Odette. Meanwhile, Odette manages to escape Rothbart's castle. The squirrels, Hans and Margarita, help her. She rushes to Siegfried's castle.

Odette is about to enter the ballroom. But Rothbart is already there. He was watching Odille trick Siegfried. Rothbart grabs Odette and covers her mouth. He makes her watch Siegfried dancing with Odille. Odette sees Siegfried promise his love to Odille. He announces Odille as his future wife. Filled with sadness, Odette faints in Rothbart's arms.

The Final Battle

Rothbart's loud laughter gets Siegfried's attention. The prince quickly realizes his terrible mistake. Odille shows her true form. Rothbart, Odille, and Odette all turn into birds. They fly back to the castle. Siegfried follows them on his horse.

The final fight between Siegfried and Rothbart begins. Hans the squirrel tries to help the prince. But Rothbart turns Hans into a toad.

Rothbart first only wants to scare Siegfried away. But Odille demands that Siegfried be killed. After a long fight, Rothbart corners Siegfried. He holds a sword to Siegfried's throat. To save Siegfried's life, Odette promises to marry Rothbart.

But Siegfried cannot let Odette be Rothbart's prisoner forever. He grabs the sword and stabs himself. A bright flash of light appears. This light destroys both Rothbart and Odille. All of Rothbart's magic is undone. His castle falls apart. Adolf turns back into a human. Hans and Margarita are reunited. And Odette's curse is finally broken.

Love Triumphs

Odette and Siegfried survive the castle's collapse. They find each other and run into a loving embrace. Margarita says that Odette and Siegfried's love was stronger than all of Rothbart's magic. Hans agrees, saying he loves Margarita just as much. As the sun rises over the ruined castle, all the swans from the lake fly around Odette and Siegfried. They are celebrating the victory of true love.

Meet the Voices

Here are the actors who lent their voices to the characters in Swan Lake: