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The Return of the King is a american film of genre Science fiction directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. released in USA on 11 may 1980 with Orson Bean
The Return of the King (1980)
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Add to a movie listReleased in USA 11 may 1980
Length 1h38
OriginUSA
Themes Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Middle-earth films, Political films, Children's films
Rating57%
The Return of the King (also known as The Return of the King: A Story of the Hobbits), is a 1980 animated musical television film created by Rankin/Bass and Topcraft. The film is an adaptation of the The Return of the King, the third book in The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Due to marketing by Warner Bros., the film is often credited by fans as the unofficial sequel to Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, which is based on the first two volumes of the book. According to rumors, Rankin/Bass decided to do the project upon hearing that Bakshi's sequel finishing The Lord of the Rings was going to be left unmade. However, Rankin/Bass had always planned on making a sequel based on The Return of the King as their follow-up project to The Hobbit.
The special aired on ABC on Sunday, May 11, 1980. Critical and fan reaction to The Return of the King was lukewarm.
Synopsis
During the 129th birthday celebration for Bilbo Baggins in Rivendell, Frodo begins his story with Samwise Gamgee, his friend and companion, treading through Mordor as Ring-bearer in Frodo's absence, when Frodo is captive in the orc' fortress of Cirith Ungol. During his journey, Sam ponders claiming the Ring himself; but rejects the idea and rescues Frodo.Actors
Orson Bean
(Frodo Baggins / Bilbo Baggins (voice))
John Huston
(Gandalf (voice))
William Conrad
(Lord Denethor (voice))
Roddy McDowall
(Samwise Gamgee (voice))
Theodore Bikel
(Aragorn (voice))
The Lord of the Rings
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Suggestions of similar film to The Return of the King
There are 169 films with the same actors, 25 films with the same director, 19989 with the same cinematographic genres (including 210 with exactly the same 4 genres than The Return of the King), 13598 films with the same themes (including 1 films with the same 6 themes than The Return of the King), to have finally 70 suggestions of similar films.If you liked The Return of the King, you will probably like those similar films :
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, 1h18Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Middle-earth films, Films about dragons, Political films, Children's films
Actors Orson Bean, Richard Boone, Hans Conried, John Huston, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard
Rating66%
The plot of the animated production is in most respects similar to that of the book, which was already styled as a classic children's novel, and so is adapted in that vein for a younger audience; but certain plot points are significantly compressed due to the time limitations of the format. In addition, certain scenes are obviously edited for commercial breaks. In general, alterations include simple omission of additional detail, as the producers expressed their desire to adhere to the written text, including lyrics adapted from the songs in the book but in much longer and greater format.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
, 1h32Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Political films, Children's films
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Rating72%
In an enchanted forest, a unicorn learns she is the last of her kind. A butterfly reveals that a demonic animal called the Red Bull herded her kind to the ends of the earth. Venturing into unfamiliar territory beyond the safety of her home, the Unicorn journeys to find them and bring them back.
The Wind in the Willows (1987)
, 1h36Directed by Terry Jones, Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass, Rachel Talalay
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Animation
Themes Musical films, Children's films
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The Daydreamer (1966)
, 1h41Directed by Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Musical, Animation
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Actors Paul O'Keefe, Jack Gilford, Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton, Burl Ives, Sessue Hayakawa
Rating60%
It is early in the 19th century. The thirteen-year-old Hans Christian Andersen (called "Chris" for short; portrayed and voiced by Paul O'Keefe) is known in his native village of Odense, Denmark, as an incurable daydreamer. Actually, the boy's reveries are an escape from the hardships of his family's life.
The Flight of Dragons (1984)
, 1h32Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass, Fumihiko Takayama
Origin USA
Genres Comedy-drama, Fantasy, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Films about dragons, Political films, Children's films
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Rating76%
The 'Green Wizard' Carolinus (Harry Morgan) discovers magic failing as humanity embraces science, and summons his brothers Lo Tae Zhao the Yellow Wizard (Don Messick); Solarius the Blue Wizard (Paul Frees); and Ommadon the Red Wizard (James Earl Jones), accompanied by their dragons Shen Tsu, Lunarian, and Bryagh (James Gregory), before whom he resolves to create a 'Last Realm of Magic' hidden from the rest of the world. Lo Tae Zhao and Solarius consent, but Ommadon instead proposes to take control of the world himself; whereupon the other wizards decide to seize Ommadon's crown, the source of his powers. Because the wizards are forbidden to fight among themselves, they volunteer Carolinus's dragon Gorbash (Bob McFadden when not Ritter-as-Peter) and the knight Sir Orrin Neville-Smythe (Bob McFadden), to do so, with Solarius giving a shield to deflect dark magic and Lo Tae Zhao giving a flute to lull dragons to sleep. Requiring a third protagonist, Carolinus summons Peter Dickinson (John Ritter), a board-game creator and polymath scientist. Having arrived in the past, Peter becomes enamoured of Princess Milisande (Alexandra Stoddart), Carolinus's ward.
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, 1h34Directed by Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Horror, Musical, Animation, Comic science fiction
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Actors Boris Karloff, Allen Swift, Gale Garnett, Phyllis Diller
Rating65%
Baron Boris von Frankenstein (voiced by Boris Karloff) achieves his ultimate ambition, the secret of total destruction. Having perfected and tested the formula, he sends out messenger bats to summon all monsters to the Isle of Evil in the Caribbean Sea. The Baron intends to inform them of his discovery and also to reveal his imminent retirement as head of the "Worldwide Organization of Monsters". Besides Frankenstein's Monster (referred to as "Fang") and the Monster's more intelligent mate (voiced by Phyllis Diller) who live in the island castle with Boris, the invites also include Count Dracula, the Mummy, Quasimodo (referred to as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"), the Werewolf, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon (referred to as the "Creature").
Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)
, 25minutesDirected by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Animation
Themes Feminist films, Christmas films, Political films, Children's films
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Rating67%
Years have passed since Frosty left for the North Pole, but kept his promise to the children that he would be back again someday. When he hears the news about the first snowfall of the season, he comes back to the children. The children are excited to hear about Frosty's return and are overjoyed when he comes back to play with them, but then Jack Frost (voiced by Paul Frees) sees the fun that the children are having with Frosty and becomes jealous of him and attempts to steal his hat so the children will love him more.
Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Animation
Themes Feminist films, Christmas films, Political films, Children's films
Actors Joel Grey, George Gobel, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver, Allen Swift
Rating72%
Set in the fictional town of Junctionville, NY around the turn of the 20th century, Santa Claus is offended by an anonymous letter printed in the town's newspaper (and signed "all of us") claiming that he doesn't exist. In response, Santa returns the entire town's letters to them unopened. Upon reading the anonymous letter printed in the newspaper, Father Mouse (voiced by George Gobel) — a mouse assistant to the human clockmaker Joshua Trundle (voiced by Joel Grey, the credited narrator) — immediately suspects that his brainy son Albert is its author. Albert (voiced by Tammy Grimes) confirms his suspicions, repeating the letter verbatim to him.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
, 25minutesDirected by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Fantasy, Animation
Themes Christmas films, Musical films, Children's films, Santa Claus in film
Actors Jimmy Durante, Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon, Paul Frees, June Foray, Alan Oppenheimer
Rating72%
In general, the plot of the special loosely follows that of the original song, with extensive elaboration to expand the special to a half-hour time slot.
, 51minutesDirected by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Musical theatre, Fantasy, Animation
Themes Christmas films, Children's films, Santa Claus in film
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Rating76%
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