The Last Unicorn on DVD (1982)

Average rating: 65%

from 299 members

4 Critics reviews
16 Members reviews

Starring:	Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Tammy Grimes, Robert Klein, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lee, Keenan Wynn
Director:	Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Studio:	ITV DVD
Run time:	89 mins
Certificate:
Genres:	Animated, Children
Languages:	English
Hearing-impaired:	English
Released:	12/02/2007

Brief synopsis of The Last Unicorn

Weary of being alone in the vast forest, unicorn Amalthea (Mia Farrow) begins to wonder if she's the last of her kind. Following a rumour, she joins forces with feeblish wizard Schmendrick (Alan Arkin) and wayward barmaid Molly (Tammy Grimes) to look for the mystical Red Bull, a creature known to hunt and imprison unicorns. In order to walk unnoticed among men, Schmendrick magically transforms Amalthea into a beautiful woman. Together the three embark on a adventurous journey into the dark land of King Haggard, the man rumoured to control the Red Bull. Based on Peter Beagle's novel of the same name, THE LAST UNICORN is a bright, colourful tale about love and loss. Farrow loans her fluttering voice indelibly to the lips of the unicorn, and Arkin is spot on playing the spell-casting wizard Schmendrick. The film also features the vocal talents of Jeff Bridges, Christopher Lee, and Angela Lansbury. Complete with an over-the-top soundtrack by the pop band America, THE LAST UNICORN is perhaps the high point of directors Arthur Rankin's and Jules Bass's film career. They would soon move out of film to produce the two highly successful syndicated television series THUNDERCATS and SILVERHAWKS.

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Critics Reviews

Radio Times

If it wasn't for the lacklustre artwork, this animated fantasy might have been quite enchanting. The voices of Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lee and Jeff Bridges are topnotch and there's little wrong with Peter S Beagle's story, in which a brainy butterfly, a pirate cat, an apprentice wizard and a handsome prince join with a unicorn to help rescue her species from the underwater prison of a snarling red bull. With so much going on, younger viewers will probably forgive the flat animation, but the grown-ups are going to hate Jimmy Webb's tacky songs.

Variety

"...Mia Farrow brings an almost moving plaintive quality to the character....For an actress to register so strongly on voice alone is a rare accomplishment..."

Time Out

Rather groovy little fable, based on Peter Beagle's fantasy about a unicorn's search for company (there are no singles... Read more on www.timeout.com

See all 4 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Brilliant! Even for adults!

P3t3r from Enfield [Highly rated reviewer] , 26/08/2005

This is from my childhood! I remember seeing it when I was around my childminders house on several different occasions. I never knew it then, but this movie stuck in the back of my mind for ages until one day I remembered it. I recalled how moved I was by it as a child. How I was in tears watching it. How, for me, I found it scary in parts!

I wanted to see it again. But the childminder was long gone, along with the video. I looked into WH Smiths and tried to purchase it. Only to find it was not being produced any more. I was upset that I couldn't see it again now I was grown up.

One day girlfriend asks me what I want for Christmas. I told her the story of not being able to buy this film. Then she tells me she has a friend who she believes has it! So my present that year was a copied video of a film from my childhood. Best present I've ever had!

If you've got kids/or you want a trip down memory lane of an obscure childrens movie (which adults will fall for as well) the rent this!

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

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Childhood Memories re-lived!

Charlotte from London , 15/07/2004

This used to be my all time favourite movie as a little girl! It brings back fond memories of sitting in a friends attic room on beanbags and watching it transfixed! I had to re-live the memory...! It again lived up to its expectations, and for the first time i realised how many well known names were actually in it. Well, when you are small you don't have a clue who anyone is! If you have done all the Disney cartoons and you need something else for the kiddies, then i highly recommend this toon. It is wonderful, a really magical story that will keep them gripped and wanting to watch it again and again. Especially little girls, what with the unicorn element! It obviously has its scary moments too, but definitely worth a watch. If as an adult you are also into cartoons, then you might enjoy watching this with the kids too. Very good old fashioned picture!

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

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Magic

Bill from Fife, Scotland , 11/12/2006

Never mind the kids, this is a fab movie for adults. Random bits of dialogue such as, '..this serpent has the whole world in its coils, and is subject to doubt'. Eh! What? Genius, fantastic, magic.

Mia Farrow plays the part of her life as the unicorn and Schmendrick the Magician is amazing.

You'll laugh, you'll cry - don't waste it on the kids.

At 90 minutes long they'll never last the pace anyway!!

Plus there's some stuff that'll scare them silly.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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