The Last Unicorn (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Last Unicorn |
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Official theatrical poster
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| Directed by | |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Peter S. Beagle |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jimmy Webb |
| Cinematography | Hiroyasu Omoto |
| Editing by | Tomoko Kida |
| Studio | Rankin/Bass Productions Topcraft ITC Films |
| Distributed by | Jensen Farley Pictures (Sunn Classic Pictures) |
| Release date(s) | November 19, 1982 |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States Japan |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $6,455,330 (US) |
The Last Unicorn is a 1982 animated fantasy film. It tells the story of a unicorn who discovers she might be the very last of her kind. She then goes on a brave journey to find out what happened to all the other unicorns.
This movie is based on a popular book called The Last Unicorn. The book was written in 1968 by Peter S. Beagle. He also wrote the script for the movie! The film was made by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. It was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions and animated by Topcraft. Many famous actors lent their voices to the characters, including Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, and Angela Lansbury. The music was created by Jimmy Webb and performed by the band America.
Contents
Story of the Last Unicorn
The Unicorn's Quest
The story begins with a beautiful unicorn. She learns from some hunters and a butterfly that she might be the only unicorn left. A scary creature called the Red Bull has chased all the other unicorns away. So, the Unicorn decides to go on a journey to find them.
Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival
During her search, the Unicorn is captured by a witch named Mommy Fortuna. The witch runs a strange place called the Midnight Carnival. Most of the animals there are just normal animals that look like mythical beasts because of magic. Mommy Fortuna even puts a fake horn on the Unicorn's head. This is because most people cannot see a real unicorn.
The Unicorn meets Schmendrick, a magician who isn't very good at magic. He works for Mommy Fortuna. With Schmendrick's help, the Unicorn escapes. They also free a real harpy named Celaeno. Celaeno then gets revenge on Mommy Fortuna. Schmendrick and the Unicorn are later joined by Molly Grue. Molly is the partner of Captain Cully, a bandit leader.
Meeting King Haggard
As the Unicorn gets closer to King Haggard's castle, she meets the Red Bull. The Bull is a huge, fiery monster. To protect her, Schmendrick uses his magic. He changes the Unicorn into a human woman. The Red Bull loses interest in her and leaves. But the Unicorn feels strange as a human. She feels mortal for the first time. Schmendrick promises to change her back after they find the other unicorns.
Schmendrick, Molly, and the human Unicorn go to King Haggard's castle. Haggard is not very friendly. Schmendrick introduces the Unicorn as Lady Amalthea. They ask to stay at the castle. Haggard agrees to let them stay. He makes Schmendrick his new wizard and Molly a worker in the kitchen.
Lady Amalthea's New Feelings
The castle's old wizard, Mabruk, leaves. He knows that "Amalthea" is really a unicorn. He warns Haggard that letting her in will bring him trouble. As a human, Amalthea starts to forget she is a unicorn. She even falls in love with King Haggard's adopted son, Prince Lír. She thinks about giving up her quest to be with him. Haggard talks to Amalthea. He hints that he knows where the unicorns are. But he also sees that her magic is fading.
Facing the Red Bull
Molly finally learns where the Red Bull lives from the castle's cat. Molly, Schmendrick, and Amalthea go to the Bull's lair. Prince Lír joins them. King Haggard traps them inside. Schmendrick explains to Lír that Amalthea is a unicorn. Lír says he still loves her. Amalthea wants to stay human and marry Lír. But Lír tells her they must finish the quest.
The Red Bull appears again. He knows Amalthea is a unicorn now. He chases her towards the ocean, just like he did with the other unicorns. Lír tries to protect her but is killed by the Bull. The Unicorn becomes very angry. She turns on the Bull and forces him into the sea. Then, all the other unicorns rise from the water. With their freedom, King Haggard's castle falls into the sea. Haggard himself falls to his death.
The Unicorn's Farewell
On the beach, the Unicorn uses her magic to bring Lír back to life. She then leaves him. Schmendrick tells Lír that he gained a lot by being loved by a unicorn. The Unicorn says goodbye to Schmendrick. She tells him that his actions helped bring unicorns back to the world. She also says that experiencing love made her stronger. Schmendrick and Molly watch the Unicorn go back to her home.
Main Characters and Voice Actors
- The Unicorn / Lady Amalthea voiced by Mia Farrow: She is the main character. She searches for other unicorns and learns about love and sadness when she becomes human.
- Schmendrick voiced by Alan Arkin: He is a magician who travels with the Unicorn. He helps her on her journey.
- Prince Lír voiced by Jeff Bridges: He is King Haggard's adopted son. He falls in love with Lady Amalthea. Even when he learns she is a unicorn, his feelings do not change.
- Molly Grue voiced by Tammy Grimes: She is Captain Cully's partner. She joins Schmendrick and the Unicorn on their adventure.
- The Butterfly voiced by Robert Klein: This creature gives the Unicorn an important clue about where to find the other unicorns.
- Mommy Fortuna voiced by Angela Lansbury: She is a witch who uses magic to make normal animals look like mythical creatures in her carnival.
- King Haggard voiced by Christopher Lee: He is the ruler of a sad kingdom. He is only happy when he sees unicorns. Christopher Lee also voiced Haggard in the German version of the film.
- Captain Cully voiced by Keenan Wynn: He is the leader of a group of bandits.
- Keenan Wynn also voiced The Harpy Celaeno. She is a real harpy captured by Mommy Fortuna. The Unicorn frees her, and she gets revenge on Mommy Fortuna.
- Mabruk voiced by Paul Frees: He is King Haggard's old court magician. Schmendrick replaces him.
- Paul Frees also voiced the Cat. This old cat gives Molly clues about the Red Bull.
- The Tree voiced by Nellie Bellflower: A tree that talks and falls in love with Schmendrick after he casts a spell on it.
- The Skull voiced by René Auberjonois: This skull guards the entrance to the Red Bull's lair.
- Ruhk voiced by Brother Theodore: He is a hunchback who works for Mommy Fortuna.
Movie Music
The music and songs for The Last Unicorn were written by Jimmy Webb. The band America performed the songs. The London Symphony Orchestra played the musical score. Lucy Mitchell also sang some parts. The soundtrack was recorded in England in 1982. It was released in Germany in 1983. Many people think the music is a good mix of fairy tale sounds and darker, powerful parts.
The main theme song from the movie is also on a 1997 music collection called The Best of America.
Movie's Lasting Impact
The Last Unicorn has become a very popular cult film over the years. This means many fans love it and watch it often.
Kenny Loggins covered the movie's main song on his 1994 album, Return to Pooh Corner.
