PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Disney has a dark past from the 80s that no one really talks about. They created horror-themed children’s classic movies during that time that I am sure they would like sealed in a vault. One of these films was The Black Cauldron (1985).
PopHorror is here to open that vault and spill all the dirty secrets to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Black Cauldron.
Film Synopsis
In the mythical land of Prydain, a wicked emperor called the Horned King, seeks to obtain an ancient magical cauldron to satisfy his desire to conquer the world. The only thing in his way is a swine herder, a princess, a harp playing bard, and a unique wild creature. This motley crew seek out on an adventure to stop the Horned King from completing his wicked plans.
Have a look at the classic VHS trailer below!
The Spell Is Cast
The Black Cauldron was released into theaters on July 24, 1985. It was an adaptation of the first two books in ‘The Chronicles of Prydain’ series written by Lloyd Alexander. While the movie was marketed as a family fantasy, it was full of dark themes and imagery. It is because of this that the movie received a PG rating, which was a first for a Disney.
Disney invested a lot of money into this film. At the time, it was one of Disney’s most expensive animated films they had made. The Black Cauldron‘s budget was $44 million. It was unfortunate that the movie only grossed just $21 million.
The Black Cauldron almost put the animation department at risk because of this financial loss. It was even nicknamed ‘The Film That Almost Killed Disney.’ Despite all of this, it was the first Disney animated film to feature computer-generated imagery.
The Black Cauldron was a box office flop, but gained an audience over time. An appreciation for the film was discovered and a cult following developed. This did not go unnoticed by Disney and after 12 years they finally released the film to home media.
Final Thoughts
My Gen X heart fell in love with The Black Cauldron at the tender age of 5 when I watched it in theaters for the first time. I was lured in by all the dark imagery and story telling. As an adult, I am still mesmerized by this film. It is part of my physical DVD collection, as well as owning an original movie poster acquired as an adult.
Take the time to check it out for the first time or revisit it!
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