Ash P
October isn't just a month where we'll be reviewing scary, monster movies, we're also gonna have fun with dark fantasy movies such as this movie that was trademarked as one of Disney's biggest failures back in 1985. So much that it was not liked by critics and audiences before Rotten Tomatoes and other review sites were even born. In addition, it lost to the Care Bears movie for several months when it was in theaters. However, this movie grew a cult following, especially for those who are in love with 80s dark fantasy movies. This is based on a series of novels called the Chronicles of Prydain. Accordingly, it is loosely based on the first two books. If you were to tell me that the books that are based on Welsh mythology are superior to the movie that was based on, I would believe you. As far as my thoughts on this movie, it's complicated.
The story centers around a young pig-keeper named Taran, voiced by Grant Bardsley, trained under a farmer named Dallben, voiced by Freddie Jones, who explains to Taran about the pig named Hen Wen having a special power whenever you dip her head in a puddle of water. Therefore, she would share visions of what goes on in her head within that puddle. One of them is tragic as it shows Dallben and Taran the Horned King, voiced by John Hurt, searching for a mystical item called the Black Cauldron. With the Black Cauldron, the Horned King would raise an army of the dead to rule over the land. Dallben suggests Taran to take Hen Wen far away. On his way out, in such a fast time of screwing up, Taran loses Hen Wen yet gets the help of this little furry named Gurgi, voiced by John Byner, to finding her at the Horned King's castle where Hen Wen was taken to.
Taran does show briefly before the pig gets killed and sets her free, getting himself imprisoned in the process. Thankfully, with the help of a princess, who I will admit wonder where she came from within the castle, named Eilonwy, voiced by Susan Sheridan. With her help, as well as graverobbing this magical sword. Yes, I've said it because what else would a dead warrior do with a sword while escaping a castle of the evil Horned King, they managed to escape. Accompanying them is a bard named Fflewddur Fflam, voiced by Nigel Hawthorne. After escaping, they meet up with Gurgi again to lead them the way to finding Hen Wen residing in this hidden alcove where this group of fairies live to Morva where a trio of witches has the Black Cauldron. The conclusion, I admit, is probably the weakest of all the movies I've seen, yet it's ironic for what happens with the Black Cauldron and the Horned King. I would explain it all, but that would mean I would spoil the plot more.
As far as the story goes, it seems like there were some pacing issues along with some scenes that left this dark fantasy movie pretty awkward at times. Apparently, during the time when Jeffrey Katzenberg was the chairman of Disney, he ordered some scenes to be cut due to children screaming at a test screening. You could find the uncut/unedited versions somewhere on YouTube or on DVD. About twenty minutes of scenes involving bodies being melted, if I recall. Even if the scenes were added back, the movie will still have the same issues as I am explaining.
As far as the characters go, they range from bland and forgettable to just annoying at times. Taran is technically a cocky character who just wants to be a warrior. Except that most of the time, he fought a couple of times, and his cockiness gets in the way at times. Eilonwy is okay, yet I wonder what kingdom she came from, and I wonder if she'd got captured or she had just decided to storm the Horned King's castle. Before I forget, the chemistry between Taran and Eilonwy was very little for what they were going for. Fflewddur is funny at times, yet I find it sad that he doesn't use his lyre much except to see the strings get broken. Gurgi is annoying at times along with being more of a coward, he's easily forgettable. He's kinda like if Jar Jar Binks shrank and became a furry. Gurgi did one good deed as Taran did two or three, as far as their journey goes. There is also this creature named Creeper, voiced by Phil Fondacaro, who serves the Horned King, who is just there to serve. The Horned King is a good villain for having a motive, yet I can't help but laugh at times whenever John Hurt says pig in his lines. Also, I can't help but think that whenever the Horned King enters, his theme sounds similar to Gozer's theme from Ghostbusters.
Now, for the animation, it's beautiful for being a dark fantasy animated movie. However, it isn't that dark enough, as the story goes along with its characters. I give it credit for the movie trying to be as dark as Watership Down, Wizards, the Dark Crystal, or the Secret of NIHM. The imagery and the backgrounds are amazing for both dark themes and on the lighter side of fantasy. But again, I have to give credit where credit is due. It just needed to be more well-paced and the characters some more time to develop.
Overall, the movie isn't terrible, nor was it great. The only word that I could say about this movie is complicated. It has its moments, yet the way the story is paced and the characters go doesn't do it much favor. It was Disney's attempt to make a dark fantasy, yet not that dark enough. Especially when there were scenes that looked like it came from other films like that one vision trip that came from a Night at Bald Mountain and a scene on a bridge looked like it came from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Love it or hate it, the Black Cauldron does exist.
Hence, I will give this movie five cocky Taran losing a pig while gloating out of ten. 5/10.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
10/22/25
Full Review
Gregory T
Hugely underrated Disney classic that delivers a solid dark fantasy/adventure story with horror elements that can be enjoyed by all age groups. This deserves a second chance in the form of a live action remake incorporating updated special effects technology.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/16/25
Full Review
Tauhid E
i should read the books.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
09/13/25
Full Review
Shaked G
Mediocre. Sceary for kids and boring for adults.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
09/06/25
Full Review
Juju S
C'est probablement le Disney le plus sombre, que ce soit en terme de visuel ou d'histoire. Je suis bien contente de ne pas avoir vu ce film étant enfant, je pense que la mort du seigneur des ténèbres m'aurait traumatisé. Je suis presque traumatisée en tant qu'adulte. L'histoire n'est pas mauvaise, et certains personnages sont intéressants, d'où le 1 étoile.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
08/20/25
Full Review
Luke R.
It’s a fine film. I looked at the pictures in the book when I was a kid before I saw the movie.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
09/28/25
Full Review
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