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Product Description
An epic fantasy of peace and magic featuring the voice of Mark Hamill (Star Wars). One of the most ambitious and inventive films from legendary animator Ralph Bakshi, Wizards is a dazzling fantasy adventure. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where technology has been outlawed after nuclear disaster, the film follows the story of Avatar, the kindly, eccentric sorcerer-ruler of Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. Avatar's evil brother Blackwolf dominates Scortch, a bleak land of goblins and wraiths. When the power-hungry Blackwolf attacks Montagar, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, must enter the darkness of Scortch to save his world. Stunningly designed and thrillingly dramatised, this unforgettable cult classic is presented in a breathtaking new high-definition transfer.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Commentary, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Remastered, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: In a bleak future that's a blend of World War II Europe and Tolkien's Middle-earth, a runty wizard (Bob Holt) must save the world from fascist mutants controlled by his evil twin brother (Steve Gravers), who likes to project films of Adolf Hitler speeches during attacks. Animator Ralph Bakshi blends everything from swords and sorcery to kung fu and nuclear catastrophe in this bizarre flick, which has become a cult classic for its subversive tone. ...Wizards (1977) ( War Wizards ) (Blu-Ray)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An effective Ralph Bakshi film true to the original release prints on Blu-Ray
15 Aug 2010
By Gary Vidmar
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Enjoyment of this hip, cartoon concoction from animator Ralph Bakshi is definitely linked to a nostalgia factor for those who may have originally seen it in theaters in 1977. The "groovy" conflict between elves and Nazi's is alternately stupid and funny, depending on one's sense of humor and tolerance for fantasy fare. The animation comes across as limited, due mostly to ambitions surpassing budget, but the backgrounds are wonderful, even if the characters are rather unimaginative. Still, the cranky old wizard versus the skeleton fascist is all very cute.
The blu-ray is very faithful to the original prints, and manipulation is minimal if not totally absent, so the high-definition transfer is first-rate. The original monaural magoptical soundtrack is presented in DTS-HD 2.0 (minus the alternate stereo boost present on the previous Fox dvd) and comes across cleanly and appropriately for the material. Bakshi provides a commentary track. Fans should really appreciate this EUREKA blu-ray release.
The blu-ray is very faithful to the original prints, and manipulation is minimal if not totally absent, so the high-definition transfer is first-rate. The original monaural magoptical soundtrack is presented in DTS-HD 2.0 (minus the alternate stereo boost present on the previous Fox dvd) and comes across cleanly and appropriately for the material. Bakshi provides a commentary track. Fans should really appreciate this EUREKA blu-ray release.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In this 1977 classic, Ralph Bakshi takes us on to an Earth millions of years after a nuclear holocaust. In this new world, humans are reduced to strange mutants, while elves and fairies have returned to claim the better parts of the world. And now, the elf queen has given birth to two sons - Avatar who grows up to be a good wizard, and Blackwolf who grows up to be an evil wizard indeed. But, when Blackwolf begins collecting the old, outlawed technology to lead the mutants in an attack on the lands of the elves, Avatar, along with several allies, sets out to stop him.
OK, I hardly know where to begin with this one. On the positive side, Ralph Bakshi used a number of animation techniques together, which produced some striking effects. There is a lot of emotion in this movie, plus a lot of action and humor. On the negative side, the real weakness of the movie is a lack of plot. Scenes tumble out, often without linking to each other, or to the overall story. Plus, the raw violence, coupled with the suggestively drawn female characters makes it unsuitable for younger viewers.
But, that said, I did enjoy this movie. If you want to see a weird, horrible, funny, enthralling cartoon movie, then this is the movie for you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Don D. Esque
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are a lot of faults with this film, particularly in comparison with Bakshi's later Lord of the Rings; the use of stock footage, narration over stills, awkward dialogue, inconsistent art and animation styles, and grotesque lapses of taste.
None of which matters. This is the fan-boy film par excellence, a tour-de-force of trippy creativity.
If you're an amateur animator yourself, you will find this movie inspiring. If like me you're old enough to remember fantasy before the polish and commercialism of CGI blockbusters, you'll appreciate the reminder that some people once made films for fun. Because they could.
If you enjoy the better amateur animations on YouTube, the parodies and pastiches that're exercising the next generation of movie-makers, you'll like this film. And if you like this film at all, you'll love it.
None of which matters. This is the fan-boy film par excellence, a tour-de-force of trippy creativity.
If you're an amateur animator yourself, you will find this movie inspiring. If like me you're old enough to remember fantasy before the polish and commercialism of CGI blockbusters, you'll appreciate the reminder that some people once made films for fun. Because they could.
If you enjoy the better amateur animations on YouTube, the parodies and pastiches that're exercising the next generation of movie-makers, you'll like this film. And if you like this film at all, you'll love it.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Bakshi fantasy classic
Its wrong to say Ralph Bakshi was ahead of his time, everyone else was behind!!!
Beautiful post apocalyptic fantasy, a must for fans
Beautiful post apocalyptic fantasy, a must for fans
Published 2 months ago by Mr. M. L. Shorten
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazon
i chosed this rating cause it was interesting,there was nothing i disliked about this dvd and i would recommend to my friend.
Published 3 months ago by lodgey79
3.0 out of 5 stars
New Digital Transfer?
The movie is fine, but I bought this because it said 'breathtaking new digital transfer' which is misleading at best. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. M. P. Mclester
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wizard!
Ralph Bakshi's old-school animation is definitely an acquired taste - I stumbled across the frankly bizarre sword and sorcery epic Fire And Ice [DVD] [1983] some months ago, and... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2011 by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wizards
Good story and quite entertaining, but overshadowed by far more high budget films like Avatar
Published on 17 Oct 2010 by Mrs. J. Cowdell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good transfer of a cult film
This is not everyone's cup of tea and is NOT a film for children but for fans such as myself I thought this was a decent transfer and definately better than the DVD. Read more
Published on 9 July 2010 by John Chandler
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ralph Bakshi - The King Of "Epic Fail".
Say the words "Ralph Bakshi" to people of a certain age and they may shudder.
The veteran animator has a long list of credits to his name that many will recognise. Read more
The veteran animator has a long list of credits to his name that many will recognise. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Brady Orme
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bakshi - The King Of Animated "Epic Fail"
Say the words "Ralph Bakshi" to people of a certain age and they may shudder.
The veteran animator has a long list of credits to his name that many will recognise. Read more
The veteran animator has a long list of credits to his name that many will recognise. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Brady Orme
2.0 out of 5 stars
Less than magical
Ralph Bakshi's boho fantasy Wizards, like Richard Williams' doomed Thief and the Cobbler, is a reaction against Disney animated features and shares many of its flaws, as well as... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by Trevor Willsmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is an amazing animation. With memorable scenes and characters. Beautifully animated. A bizarre journey through a post apocolyptic world. Ralph Bakshi at his best
Published on 30 Sep 2006 by Ms. L. A. Jewitt
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