The Swan Princess facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Swan Princess |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Richard Rich |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Brian Nissen |
| Story by |
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| Narrated by | Brian Nissen |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Lex de Azevedo |
| Editing by |
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| Distributed by | New Line Cinema (United States) Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (Internationally) |
| Release date(s) | November 18, 1994 |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $21 million |
| Money made | $9.8 million |
The Swan Princess is a 1994 American animated musical fantasy film. It is based on the famous ballet Swan Lake. The movie features the voices of Michelle Nicastro, Howard McGillin, Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, Sandy Duncan, and Steve Vinovich.
The film was directed by Richard Rich, who used to work for Disney. Lex de Azevedo created the music for the movie. It was released in theaters on November 18, 1994. The film later became very popular on home video. It has led to ten direct-to-video sequels.
The main song, "Far Longer than Forever", is sung by Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1995.
Story of The Swan Princess
King William's (Dakin Matthews) advisor, Sir Rothbart (Jack Palance), wants to take over the King's land. He uses a type of dark magic called The Forbidden Arts. Before he can act, Rothbart is caught. King William decides to banish him instead of punishing him further.
Rothbart is very angry and promises to get his power back. He swears to take everything King William owns and loves. He is sent away to the dangerous Swan Lake, which becomes his new home.
King William's daughter, Princess Odette (Michelle Nicastro), and Prince Derek (Howard McGillin) are meant to marry. This marriage would unite their kingdoms. However, Derek only seems to care about Odette's beauty. Odette and her father are disappointed.
On their way home, Rothbart attacks them. He has become a powerful sorcerer and turns into a "Great Animal". He kidnaps Odette and badly hurts King William. Derek arrives and hears his father's last words about the "Great Animal" and Odette being gone.
Everyone in the kingdom thinks Odette is dead. Derek's mother, Queen Uberta (Sandy Duncan), wants him to find another princess. But Derek believes Odette is still alive. He practices hunting every day with his friend Bromley (Joel McKinnon Miller). Lord Rogers (Mark Harelik) helps them prepare to face the Great Animal.
Meanwhile, Rothbart holds Odette captive at Swan Lake. He cast a strong spell on her. During the day, she turns into a swan. At night, she can become human again, but only if she is on the lake when the moonlight touches it.
Every night, Rothbart asks Odette to marry him. If she says yes, he can legally rule King William's land. But Odette always refuses. Then, the moonlight leaves the lake, and she turns back into a swan.
During her captivity, Odette makes friends. She meets a turtle named Speed (Steven Wright), a French frog named Jean-Bob (John Cleese), and an Irish puffin named Puffin (Steve Vinovich). Jean-Bob claims to be a prince.
Puffin and Odette (as a swan) fly to find Derek. They find him in the woods, hunting for the Great Animal. Derek mistakes Odette for the Great Animal and tries to shoot her. The chase leads Derek to Swan Lake. There, he sees Odette change from a swan to a human when the moon rises.
Derek and Odette have a happy reunion. Odette tells him he must make a promise of everlasting love to break the spell. He also needs to "prove it to the world." Derek invites Odette to a ball at his castle the next night. He plans to declare his love for her there.
Derek leaves, not knowing Rothbart heard their conversation. Rothbart tells Odette she won't make it to the ball. There will be "no moon" that night. Rothbart then turns his helper, Bridget, into Odette. He hopes to trick Derek into making his vow to the wrong person. This would kill the real Odette.
On the night of the ball, Rothbart traps Odette (as a swan) in his castle dungeon. He also traps Bromley, who he found in the woods. Bridget, looking like Odette, arrives at the ball. She dances with Derek, who doesn't know she is a fake.
At Swan Lake, Puffin, Speed, and Jean-Bob free Odette from the dungeon. They fight two hungry alligators to do it. Odette flies to the castle, but it's too late. Derek has already made his vow to the fake Odette.
Rothbart bursts in and shows Derek Bridget's true form. Realizing his mistake, Derek rushes back to Swan Lake. He finds Odette, who has turned back into her human form. As Derek holds a dying Odette, she tells him she loves him before she passes out.
A furious Derek confronts Rothbart. He demands that Rothbart undo the spell. Rothbart transforms into the Great Animal. A battle begins, and Rothbart is stronger than Derek. Odette's animal friends return Derek's bow to him. Bromley, who also escaped, gives Derek one arrow. Derek shoots the arrow into the Great Animal's heart, killing him.
A heartbroken Derek tells Odette he loves her. She revives, and the spell on her is broken. Derek and Odette get married. They, along with their friends and family, move into Rothbart's old castle. Bridget becomes good and falls in love with Sir Chamberlain (James Arrington). Puffin becomes a general for an army of swans. Odette kisses Jean-Bob, but he doesn't turn into a prince. Odette and Derek live happily ever after.
Voice Actors
- Michelle Nicastro as Princess Odette
- Liz Callaway as Princess Odette (singing voice)
- Adrian Zahiri as Young Princess Odette (voice)
- Howard McGillin as Prince Derek
- Adam Wylie as Young Prince Derek
- John Cleese as Jean-Bob
- David Zippel as Jean-Bob (singing voice)
- Steven Wright as Lorenzo Trudgealong (aka Speed)
- Jonathan Hadary as Speed (singing voice)
- Steve Vinovich as Lieutenant/General Puffin
- Jack Palance as Sir Rothbart
- Lex de Azevedo as Sir Rothbart (singing voice)
- Sandy Duncan as Queen Uberta
- James Arrington as Sir Chamberlain
- Davis Gaines as Sir Chamberlain (singing voice)
- Dakin Matthews as King William
- Mark Harelik as Lord Rogers
- Joel McKinnon Miller as Bromley
- Bess Hopper as Bridget
- Brian Nissen as the Narrator
Music in The Swan Princess
David Zippel and Lex de Azevedo worked together on the music for The Swan Princess. David Zippel wrote the songs, and Lex de Azevedo created the background music.
The main song, "Far Longer than Forever", was written by de Azevedo and Zippel. In the movie, Liz Callaway (as Odette's singing voice) and Howard McGillin (as Derek's voice) perform the song. For the end credits, Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne sang a pop version.
"Far Longer than Forever" was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1995. It was considered for the award of Best Original Song.
See also
In Spanish: The Swan Princess para niños
