Underrated Gems: The Last Unicorn
Author's note: All pictures and videos are legal under the tems of the fair use agreement of 1976.
Yes, it’s finally come to pass. After all these years I’m finally getting round to The Last Unicorn. I apologize for taking so long to get round to this. I promise it won’t take quite so long next time. But in the meantime, let the review begin.
The Last Unicorn was an animated movie released in 1982 by Rankin/Bass productions. The Rankin/Bass company's hits include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Thundercats. The movie came from the Best-selling novel written in 1968 by author Peter S. Beagle. It’s of note that he wrote the screenplay for the movie. Since Beagle wrote it it's clear he wanted the movie to be true to his book.
The fact he wrote the screenplay is one reason this is an Underrated Gem. This film has become very iconic especially among those of us in the Gen X crowd. Many of the kids’ movies of the 1980’s didn’t hold back. This didn't have the body count of say Transformers 1986. But it still had a fair share of death and pain.
The movie begins in a forest in a faraway land. A couple of huntsmen are on the ride looking for wild game. The two have a conversation unaware that a Unicorn is watching them. One of them makes mention of said Unicorn being the last. The two then turn and ride off to look for game someplace else.
The conversation leaves the Unicorn troubled. Then comes the brilliant and heart wrenching movie intro with a song by America. The music by Jimmy Webb adds to the feel of this movie.
After the intro the unicorn is still wondering about what the huntsman said. Then she has an encounter with a Butterfly.
The Butterfly got voiced by actor Robert Klien. After a very convoluted conversation, the Butterfly explains he knows who and what she is. The Unicorn asks where the others of her kind are. He in turn explains, “They passed down all the roads long ago. And the Red Bull ran close behind and covered their hoofprints.”
Very ominous riddle and one that would unnerve anyone. The Butterfly then flies off.
Mia Farrow voices the nameless Unicorn. She decides to head off into the world to find out what happened to the others. The plan is to find out what happened and come back as quick as she can. This Unicorn has no idea of the life changing experience she’s in for. And so, her quest begins.
Enroute, she has a brief encounter with a local farmer who thinks she’s a white mare. Oops it’s magical law that most people can’t see or recognize a real unicorn. Only those with magical abilities themselves or know and trust can do so. So, her unicorn pride flares up at getting called a horse. She uses her horn to toss away the bridle the farmer tried to tie her up with.
The Unicorn at one point lays down to rest. It’s at that point that Mommy Fortuna’s Midnight Carnival passes by. Mommy Fortuna is a witch who knows what the Unicorn is. Said character got voiced by legendary actress Angela Lansbury. Her crew consists of Ruhk her assistant and a bumbling magician named Schmendrick.
Theodore Gottlieb voiced Ruhk. Schmendrick’s voice is Alan Arkin. Mommy Fortuna demands that the two tell her what’s on the ground. Ruhk thinks it’s a dead horse. Schmendrick claims it’s a horse also but it’s clear he’s holding back.
Mommy Fortuna casts a sleep spell on her before the Unicorn gets locked up.
The next day Ruhk is showing off the various “Legends” of the Carnival of Midnight Horrors. Schmendrick approaches the Unicorn’s cage and the two have a conversation. It’s clear most of the so-called legends are mere mundane creatures disguised as legends. Well…almost all, as there’s one test’s real, the Harpy Selano. Even Schmendrick can see that trouble is coming from this.
He also knows who the Unicorn is and promises to help.
That night Ruhk gets a scare as the Harpy tries to break free of her cage. But Mommy Fortuna keeps her caged.
She then has a conversation with the Unicorn. In that conversation said creature learns of the Red Bull and a King haggard. Very interesting indeed.
But Mommy Fortuna explains that he’ll not have the Unicorn and believes that she’s protecting her. She locks up powerful creatures in cages. All so people can gawk at them is her idea of protecting. That’s a very skewed idea of morality Mommy Fortuna has, eh? After a bit more dialogue the two leave.
Time passes and then Schmendrick shows up. He asked Ruhk a riddle and usually it takes him all night to figure it out. The Magician then proceeds to try and get the Unicorn out. And it ends in various degrees of failure in a funny fashion. In the end he relies on the keys he swiped from Rukh.
After some derisive comments from the magical lock Schmendrick frees her.
And then things go downhill fast. First Ruhk comes in having given up. The wizard and Mommy Fortuna’s lackey get into a struggle. Meanwhile the Unicorn frees all the creatures from Mommy Fortuna’s side show. Then the Harpy coaxes the Unicorn into freeing her.
This is something that's not going to end well!
The Unicorn and the Harpy get into a struggle against each other. Two sides of the same magic enough said. Schmendrick manages to punch Ruhk with the keys, ouch! He then scrambles away from the situation. Mommy Fortuna arrives having heard the ruckus.
She and her lackey get killed and devoured by the Harpy. That’s what one gets for messing with powerful and ancient magical creatures!
The Unicorn and the magician walk away from the ruined carnival. "You should never run from anything immortal it attracts their attention.” The Unicorn explains.
That Morning Schmendrick and the Unicorn have a conversation. The creature explains how she can never regret. Hmm, possible hint for later in the movie, could be. Schmendrick accompanies the Unicorn hoping in doing so to become a true wizard.
The two reach the edge of Haggard’s land which is dangerous territory. And it’s soon learned why as Schmendrick gets captured by the Outlaw Captain Cully and his crew. Captain Cully got voiced by Keenan Wynn. Of note this actor also voiced the Harpy from earlier.
Schmendrick gets taken to their camp the Unicorn following from a distance. In the camp Molly Grue comes into the picture. The character of Molly Grue gets voiced by the talents of Tammy Grimms. The good Captain is eager to hear tales of his brave and bold deeds. Molly is skeptical as she has enough mouths to feed already.
Locked in an argument all fail to notice the would-be magician step back. He then calls forth the magic telling it to do as it will. An illusion of Robin Hood, Maid Maryanne, and his Merry men appear. They stride past them and draw off the attention of most of Cully’s gang. Schmendrick takes the time to flee.
But then he gets caught by Cully and his adjutant. They tie him to a tree and leave him there. The plan is to sell him off in the morning. Welcome to a medieval world where such things are commonplace. Schmendrick tries to call on his magic…and ends up bringing to life the tree he’s tied to.
And the tree immediately falls in love with him, awkward!
The Unicorn shows up and manages to undo his spell while freeing him. As the two are walking away both admit what he did was true magic. Then they run into Molly Grue who’s realized she got tricked. And then she sees the Unicorn and recognizes her for what she is.
Unicorn and cooking wench have a heart wrenching argument. Schmendrick confirms indeed Molly recognizes the Unicorn.
. The cooking maid then joins the quest and points them in the direction of Haggard's castle. Schmendrick as it turns up was leading them in the wrong direction. And the magician is a little salty about it.
They're a good distance from Haggard’s fortress when they stop for the night to rest. And that’s when things get terrifying as the Red Bull appears. And holy mackerel there’s a reason that this thing was the stuff of nightmares for Gen Xers when we were kids. And the music from the London Symphony Orchestra adds to the dread.
The Unicorn gets chased by the Red Bull. Schmendrick realizes it's driving her like he drove the others. It's pushing the Unicorn to the castle and to King Haggard for unknown reasons. Molly begs Schmendrick to do something to save her. And so, the magician acts.
He uses his magic…and transforms the unicorn into a human woman. Oh dear, this got awkward real fast! The Unicorn is in a distraught state when she awakens and sees what's happened to her. Yeah, an immortal creature finds herself mortal and human. Talk about an identity crisis!
The three then make their way to the castle. There they get met by a couple of guards. The guards are in fact King Haggard and his son Prince Lear. Haggard got voiced in grand style by the legendary Christopher Lee. Of course, everything the late actor did even in the worst of movies was epic!
Prince Lear got voiced by another legend Jeff Bridges of the Bridges family.
After that it’s a race against time to find where the Red Bull is, even as the Unicorn begins to forget herself. And she and Prince Lear fall hard for each other. Among the performances are those by legendary actor Paul Frees. Also, there’s a performance by the iconic Rene Auberjonois. He would later go on to be Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Can Schmendrick and the crew find where the Unicorns are and where the Red Bull is?
Now what makes this movie an underrated Gem? Well as stated the music of The London Symphony Orchestra is fantastic. America proves why they’re a great music band. And the compositions of Jimmy Webb are fantastic. It’s also clear that when Beagle wrote the screenplay, he knew what he was doing.
Who better to translate his book into film than the author? And Peter S. Beagle did an excellent job with this movie.
The artistry was done by some Japanese artists. This is proof when American storytelling and Japanese craftsmanship combine good things happen. In conclusion, a great story, great writing, great acting. This was a very crisp and professional job. And that’s what makes The Last Unicorn an Underrated Gem.
Before I go one thing of note, Peter S. Beagle is a big fan of hippos. So, in a gesture of respect to the author here’s a random hippo all for him.
Thanks for reading this, everyone. I hope you enjoyed reading about this Underrated Gem. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Did I do good or does my work need improvement? Constructive Criticism is welcome here as your input helps me become a better writer.
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