Andrew Belling
| Wizards | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Ralph Bakshi |
| Produced by | Ralph Bakshi |
| Written by | Ralph Bakshi |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Susan Tyrrell |
| Music by | Andrew Belling |
| Cinematography | Ted C. Bemiller |
| Edited by | Donald W. Ernst |
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Production
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| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation |
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Release date
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Running time
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80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million |
| Box office | $9 million |
Wizards is a 1977 American animated post-apocalyptic science fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Ralph Bakshi. The film follows the battle between two wizards, one representing the forces of magic and one representing the forces of industrial technology.
Notable for being the first fantasy film by Bakshi, who was previously known only for urban films such as Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, and Coonskin, the film grossed $9 million theatrically from a $2 million budget, and has since become a cult classic.
Earth has been devastated by a nuclear war instigated by five terrorists, and it has taken two million years for the radioactive clouds to once again allow sunlight to reach the surface. Only a handful of humans have survived, while the rest have changed into mutants who roam the radioactive wastelands. In the idyllic land of Montagar, the true ancestors of man – fairies, elves and dwarves – have returned and live in peace. During a celebration of 3,000 years of peace Delia, queen of the fairies, falls into a trance and leaves the party. Puzzled, the fairies follow her to her home and discover that she has given birth to twin wizards. Avatar, a kind and good wizard, spends much of his boyhood entertaining his mother with beautiful visions, while Blackwolf, a mutant, never visits his mother, but spends his time torturing small animals.
After many years, Delia dies. Blackwolf is excited; he believes he will take over her leadership and rule the land. Avatar opposes his evil brother and forces him to fight for the kingship. Avatar's magic is empowered by his grief, allowing him to defeat Blackwolf. Blackwolf leaves Montagar with a vow to return and "make this a planet where mutants rule".
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Wikipedia