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The Flight of Dragons: One of the Best Animated Films Ever

The 1982 Rankin-Bass film is one of the best animated films ever. Not only should it be released on DVD; it should also be made into a live-action film.

When does one become a legend? It is when one has made a huge impact and a big difference to a large group of people. It is also when one probably existed in one point of time like dragons perhaps or the animated film, The Flight of Dragons. Yes, only people in my generation in the age of around middle 30s and up have seen this back in our TV screens in 1982 and, it has etched and occupied itself in our fondest memories and in our hearts. It is one of the best animated films ever. Why do I say that this has become legend? Well, it is because of the fact that it is that good but not on DVD, the standard medium to which people play their movies now. The Flight of Dragons is only on VHS copy and streaming in the internet as torrent files and You-Tube snippets. No one knows why a great animated film like this has not been formatted and packaged in DVD with all the marketing glory trimmings like what the Disney animations and Pixar Computer Graphic Imagery (CGI) movies have. It has stayed in the annals of whoever owns its rights now, gathering dust but still in the memories of those who have seen it. The pictures I took of my PC screen below are scenes from the Flight of Dragons as shown in my Windows Media Player.

Good Versus Evil and Science Against Magic

It is a great animated movie. Ask those in my generation and others who have watched it, and you will see their eyes gleaming, and they will suddenly talk about the artwork, parts of the story and the dialogue even. The Flight of Dragons is about a quest to save man from evil’s conquest of the realm of magic and the realm of science. Seeing the need to separate the two worlds, Carolinus, the green wizard of nature, recommends his plan to his brothers Solarius, blue wizard of space and sea, Lo Tae Shao, gold wizard of the air and solemnity and Ommadon, red wizard of evil and dark magic. Being the embodiment of evil and greed, Ommadon does not agree to the plan and intends to use magic to inspire man to use science to make creations that will inevitably lead to his destruction. To stop Ommadon, one has to capture his red crown, the source of all his power.

With the quest and eventual battle being staged on land, the territory of Carolinus, the green wizard chooses his dragon Gorbash and friend Sir Orin Neville Smythe, a knight. For the leader and third member of the quest, Carolinus asks Antiquity for assistance to make the selection. Antiquity chooses Peter Dickinson, a 20th century man of science upon the puzzlement of Carolinus. From there, Peter is brought to the realm of magic from 20th century Boston and in an accident is merged with Gorbash before the quests even begins. Sir Orin, Gorbash/Peter and Smrgol, the dragon uncle of Gorbash proceeds to Ommadon’s territory and gathers allies along the way such as Arak, canine friend of Gorbash, Danielle, a female archer and Giles of the Treetops, the elvin outlaw. Together they face dangers such as the Ogre of Gormly Keep, the giant worm that secretes highly corrosive acid and Ommadon’s horde of dragons under his dark spell. Peter and Ommadon eventually battle in the end as science against magic, respectively.

Seven Reasons Why The Flight of Dragons is a Great Animated Film

In the story, Peter Dickinson is the ancestor of Great Peter, the dragon master, the one who tamed dragons and taught them how to speak. The two are separated by 777 generations. With this, I present the seven reasons why The Flight of Dragons is one of the best animated films ever.

1. It is About a Quest

Ah, yes. A quest is a buddy, road trip and David versus Goliath movie rolled into one. It brings a small band of main characters with various backgrounds together in an adventure. Along the way, they get close and face insurmountable odds. This formula has been appealing in movies whether they are animated or live-action.

2. It Has Creatures and Characters of Magic and Fantasy

Dragons, wizards, knights, archers, ogres and fairies feed the imagination of the audience. Movies take the audience away from reality to the world of fiction and even fantasy. Aside from the said traditional magical creatures and characters, The Flight of Dragons also has its unique creatures such as the giant worm and the horde of sandmerks. Forgive me for the spelling if it is wrong, but there are no subtitles because the movie is not on DVD yet. Individually, they are just like rats that stand on hind legs and around two feet tall, but collectively, they can drive one mad with their mind-maddening chattering.

3. It Has Great Dialogue

“You… complete me.” “Hasta la vista baby.” “You can’t handle the truth!” Great movies have great and memorable dialogue, and The Flight of Dragons has a lot of it from the humorous to the wise to the gallant such as the following.

Dialogue One: Gorbash with Carolinus at night looking over a pond of water

Gorbash (doubtful and sarcastic): “Are you certain this is a limpid pool of time?”

Carolinus: “My dear young fellow, I am one of the four magic brothers. I should know a limpid pool of time when I see one.”

Dialogue Two: Melisande with Carolinus discussing the meeting of the four magical brothers

Melisande: “But why does Antiquity force you to include something so abominable?”

Carolinus: “As evil is a part of all things, evil is a part of our world of magic. And the irony of all existence is that good would be totally impotent without the contrast of evil.”

Dialogue Three: Sir Orin standing by the bodies of his comrades with sword held by praying hands and facing Breog, the devil dragon.

Sir Orin: “Giles, my darling Danielle and Arak too!”

(calm and filled with courage): “Blade with whom I have lived,

Blade with whom I now die,

Serve right and justice one last time.” (flash of Giles’ body)

“Seek one last heart of evil.” (flash of Arak’s body)

“Still one last life of pain.”

“Cut well old friend… (flash of Danielle’s body)

And, farewell!”

That third dialogue is actually etched inside me and has resonated in my mind since 1982. It is a knight’s code of servitude and sacrifice and his last living act to rid one last creature of evil. Those who have seen The Flight of Dragons quip dialogues like these three I mentioned to one another.

4. It Has Effective Celebrity Voice-over

This is one of the movies that effectively used celebrity voice-overs in animated films before it somewhat became an industry standard after Pixar’s Toy Story featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Remember that The Flight of Dragons came from 1982, and it was voiced over by actors of that time. Harry Morgan, the white-haired actor and one of the leads in the movie and TV show MASH, is the voice of Carolinus. He has a firm grandfatherly voice that is perfect for the green wizard. John Ritter, who was the lead in the hit TV sitcom Three’s Company, is the voice of Peter Dickinson. John Ritter fills this character’s wonder of dragons and modesty very well. Finally, when one remembers The Flight of Dragons, one remembers James Earl Jones as the voice of red wizard Ommadon. This is probably the best voice-over of his career topping Mufasa of The Lion King and tying, if not edging Darth Vader. That speech wherein he orders Breog to lead the dragon army against Peter and his comrades is brought to life with his booming and reverberating voice. It tops off with a crazed shout of, “a flight… of dragons!”, and ending with the words “doom, doom, doom”. It just grabs you and tightens your chest. Aside from being a great actor, James Earl Jones is the ultimate talent for voice-overs.

5. It is a Product of 80s Anime, Anime Taken to a Higher Level

The Flight of Dragons comes from the era after mecha ruled TV anime in the 70s. The movie is a Rankin-Bass production, but the Illustrators are Japanese. Toru Hama is the animation coordinator, and the storyboard and animation direction are by Katsuhisa Yamada and Flimihiko Takayama. Anime transcended to something intricate, elaborate and beautiful in The Flight of Dragons after the box-type cartoonish characters in the mecha anime of the 70s, which I actually like also. There is detail, for example, in Smrgol’s curled horns and lips, and the film has interesting designs such as Sir Orin’s long trident instead of a mere lance and Lo Tae Shao’s unique serpentine dragon unlike the other blimp-like bodied dragons. The artwork here is very impressive.

6. It Has Beautiful Music

Don McLean highlights the music of The Flight of Dragons with his singing of the theme song written by Jules Bass and Maury Laws. Below are its lyrics which I got from www.lyrics007.com.

The Flight of Dragons Theme Song Lyrics

Flight of dragons soar in the purple light

In the sky or in my mind

Flight of dragons sail past reality

Leave illusion behind

Is it the past I see

When I look up to the heavens

Believing in the magic

That I know could never be

I want to go where they are going

Into the world they’ve been

Can I open up my mind enough to see

Flight of dragons, heavenly argosies

Catch the wind, rise out of sight

Flight of dragons, pilots of fantasy

In the sky or in my mind

Flight of dragons

Flight of dragons

Don McLean is the singer of the classic songs Vincent and American Pie, and the Flight of Dragons song and music in the movie has a dreamy quality to it.

7. It has a Unique Element: Giving Scientific Explanations to Magic and Creatures of Fantasy

Finally, what makes The Flight of Dragons unique is the presence of scientific explanations in a fantasy movie. This is embodied in the scene where Gorbash/Peter explains how dragons fly with the assistance of Smrgol. It turns out that dragons are like blimps or hot-air balloons lifted by hydrogen derived from the mix of stomach acids and calcium. Dragons get the calcium from the limestone that they regularly eat. An electrical spark in the roof of the dragon’s mouth ignites the hydrogen, and being lighter than air, lifts the dragon to flight. The dragon propels himself with his wings and blows out hydrogen in the form of flame or “dragon fire” in order to descend. It’s a pretty crafty explanation and catchy story element mixing science into magic.

The Flight of Dragons Live-Action Movie

From an animated film, The Flight of Dragons can be elevated into a great live-action film. We’re now in the age of CGI in cinema where in this age, The Lord of the Rings trilogy was made into Oscar-winning movies, Harry Potter was successfully brought out from book to film and various superheroes fly about, stretch and swing from building to building. After the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia came out and there are even plans to make The Hobbit into a live action movie. The fantasy genre is still alive and kicking the box office, and The Flight of Dragons can be a blockbuster.

Personally, I prefer Chris Columbus to direct The Flight of Dragons if it becomes a movie. I like that enchantment and magic of discovery present in the first Harry Potter film that he made. I also prefer Weta, the company behind the special effects of The Lord of the Rings, to participate in making the movie. To take this idea of turning The Flight of Dragons into a live-action movie further into flight, let’s play casting director for a while and choose possible actors for the key characters. Below are my choices.

Casting Suggestions for a Flight of Dragons Live Action Movie

Green Wizard Carolinus – Ben Kingsley (Oscar winning actor with voice close to Harry Morgan’s; put a skull cap on him, long nose and a beard and he’s Carolinus!)

20th Century Man Peter Dickinson – Edward Norton, Ewan McGregor (Yep, those two can be Peter.)

Knight Sir Orin Neville Smythe – Jason Isaacs, Pierce Brosnan (Must be around his 40s or 50s, dashing and with a British accent. Wearing that armour is a plus factor for them to take on the role.)

Princess Melisande – Alexis Bledel, Anne Hathaway (Dreamy, ethereal beauties. I would love to hear more suggestions for this character)

Red Wizard Ommadon – James Earl Jones (The man voiced him; he should play him! They have the same body mass as well!)

Lady Archer Danielle -Saffron Burrows (Her age is like Danielle’s, and she’s fit too.)

Elvin Outlaw Giles – Billy Boyd (He was Pippen, one of the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings. Might as well be elvin outlaw Giles too!)

Blue Wizard Solarius – Laurence Fishburne, Samuel L. Jackson (great voices and toughness for the part)

Gold Wizard Lo Tae Shao – Henry O (Jet Li’s mob boss father in Romeo Must Die; his facial qualities, especially the cheeks, are like Lo Tae Shao’s!)

The Pawnbroker – Judd Hirsch (Jeff Goldblum’s father in Independence Day can smoothly deliver those pawnbroker’s lines. Somehow, he can be Carolinus too!)

Voices of

Dragon Gorbash – Billy Crystal (Must have comedic angle)

Dragon Smrgol -Robert Loggia (Must have that old, experienced, grandfatherly quality)

Devil Dragon Breog – Michael Ironside (Tough, tough, tough and intimidating. “Puny scum of Carolinus!! Prepare to die!” He can say that well.)

Canine Arak – Brian Cox (Slightly scruffy, nice old voice)

Antiquity – Alan Rickman (Yes, yes, he’s just a tree, who dropped a silver acorn, but we need that commanding authoritative voice)

If you find my choices amusing and, or absurd, please take note that I am not a professional casting director and that I never had any experience whatsoever of casting actors for a movie or a play. Please forgive me. However, I love movies, and I believe there is some amount of sense in my choices. I hope my amateur attempt in casting will somehow spark the production of a live action Flight of Dragons movie. It will not only be a great delight to fans of the original animated film but also to a worldwide audience composed of various age groups and race. It is because the theme of The Flight of Dragons will bind them all.

The Need to Elevate The Flight of Dragons to DVD and Into a Live-Action Movie

I’ve been browsing the Internet for old movies being formatted to DVDs, and I saw this particular kaiju (giant monster) movie Daikyoju Gappa of 1967 having a special DVD in 2008. Believe it or not, this is about a giant mutated lizard/chicken monster that wreaks havoc in Japan. If movies like this cross over to DVD, and a special DVD I may add, why can’t a great animated film like The Flight of Dragons make it? This is somewhat unsettling and absolutely puzzling. It is like having Lebron James on the bench when the team, city and league can be benefitting from his contributions in the basketball court.

I have a dream. I plan to find out who owns the rights to The Flight of Dragons, and tell them about the ideas I have written here. I also call on others who share the same admiration for the film and the desire for it to be on DVD and become a live-action movie as well. I invite them to request for these also. I invite them to share their most memorable scenes, express their appreciation for the movie and even give their own casting suggestions. I will collate all of these comments and add them to my own and write and email the one who holds the rights of the film. I will write and email them every month or even every week my requests and any flowing comments from everyone who loves the film until they finally decide to release this on DVD and hopefully, a live-action film as well.

I hope my plan succeeds with a length of a dream and a flash of an inspiration, the only way one can briefly enter the realm of magic as the green wizard Carolinus said. So help me if you can friends, and let us have this fine masterpiece in DVD and a live-action film. Together, let’s make an impact with the same force The Flight of Dragons has made in each and every one of us.

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68 Comments
  1. JammyKing
    Posted October 16, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    You have my vote! Love this film always have come on hollywood!

  2. Mark
    Posted October 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    I remember this movie being old as dirt when I was a kid! This was such a good movie, I wish I could see it now…

  3. liz
    Posted October 25, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    This review is a trip down memory lane! It was a really good film and reading this makes me want to see it again. Good job! ;)

  4. Sasha
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 1:09 am

    It was one of my favourites when I was growing up! It is truly an amazing movie!It is a shame it is not on DVD I would have gone out and bought it straight away!A definite classic!

  5. Juan
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 5:31 am

    Good luck,

    I have always loved this movie and would love to see a remake of it.

    I am an animator and I have been thinkning myself of doing the same as you but just as a 3d animation remake =)

  6. Juan
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 5:41 am

    By the way,

    I think that Warner Bros has the rights to the film

  7. Ryan
    Posted November 11, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    I’m pretty sure that Warner Bros. ended up with most of Rankin/Bass’s rights. I’ve heard in the past why this wasn’t released but I can’t remember why it was and I can’t find the article I read it in. I’d love to see it on DVD though. This has always been one of my favorite movies. I also agree with everyone of your choices but what a budget that movie would have to have to get all those actors.

  8. Olivier
    Posted November 17, 2008 at 4:16 am

    hi guys, i’m french writing from Paris. I also loved this movie that was transltated and broadcasted in France in 3 or 4 pieces. I managed to download it from emule although in pretty bad quality and in english. Great to see it again. The only problem is that you wish you could walk into the screen afterward, but it does not work (i tried…)
    best wishes to all lovers of le Vol du Dragon !
    xx
    Olivier

  9. sarah
    Posted November 26, 2008 at 8:37 am

    i have loved this movie since i was small..i am in my mid30’s and still i have not forgotten about this film when it was shown on philippine tv..i wish there’s a dvd copy out there for i want my children to see it..the animated movies that they show nowadays pale in comparison to this movie..

  10. Jackson
    Posted November 26, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Still have this film on VHS… for those looking to see it again, google video has a full version of a reasonable standard. Enjoy.

  11. Steve (UK)
    Posted December 6, 2008 at 1:41 am

    My children are in the same age group as the author of this article. They shared his sense of wonder when they watched it. Not being able to find even a VHS version to buy, I recorded it on VHS from the television. The tape was played so much that it wore out! I would love my grandchildren to be able to watch it now as I am sure they would enjoy it as much as their parents did. It has not even been broadcast on TV for years. I wish you every success in your attempt to have it released on DVD.

  12. Amber46953
    Posted December 29, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    where did you find it?!?!? I have looked at every weebsite I can find, trying to download this. Please help!!!!

  13. cain russell
    Posted January 10, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    I would like to tell you that my Grandad was the illustrator of the Flight of Dragons

  14. Posted January 12, 2009 at 12:02 am

    Hi Cain,
    That’s very interesting. Can I ask for additional info behind this? It will be very enlightening for all of us fans of the movie. Honestly, my only reference for the illustrator/s for the flight of Dragons are the Japanese names in the end credits of the film. Your Grandad may have contacts too in the industry to help the movie cross-over to DVD. Many thanks.

    excabel

  15. Cain russell
    Posted January 12, 2009 at 9:57 am

    My Grandad created all the characters and the backgrounds for the animators in Japan. He was the illustrator of the original book The Flight of Dragons by Peter Dickinson. Their is a chapter in his book Wayne Anderson Through A Looking Glass. The pictures from the movie will be on his new website in a couple of months.

  16. Posted January 12, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Hi Cain,
    Your Grandad’s work is absolutely incredible. I’m honored and grateful that you shared this valuable info. I wish you and him the very best.

    Hi Everyone,
    Please check out http://www.wayneandersonart.com. In the Gallery, his work, “Dragonhoard”, is reminiscent of Gorbash sleeping on his bed of gold, and “St. George and the Dragon” is reminiscent of Sir Orin’s battle with Breog. His art has a sense of purity and wonder.

    excabel

  17. I have the original book!
    Posted January 21, 2009 at 9:34 am

    It is long out of print and the scene in the library of unfinished books looks JUST like it!! There is more to the science of dragons then the movie goes into. Also I have the dragon & the George that this movie is based on.

  18. Minox8x11 @ yahoo.com
    Posted January 21, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Forgot to post an adress if anyone has questions about the book…

    Just ask!

    Michael

  19. Arjay
    Posted February 9, 2009 at 3:25 pm

    My all-time favorite animated movie. I remember I used to have Peter’s scientific “incantations” at the end memorized when I was a kid. Of course I didn’t understand what the heck I was saying, but I knew all of it. I just want it on DVD, barebones even, with just a cleaned-up video. Any special feature would just be icing on the cake.

  20. marcio@scheibel.com.br
    Posted February 11, 2009 at 5:55 am

    Do you have the english subtitles for this movie????

  21. Posted February 11, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Hi Marcio, I believe the official VHS copy has no subtitles, English or any other language. That’s the only official video copy out in the market now. Hopefully, all these efforts will get us an official DVD copy with various subtitles and extra features. ‘would like to help put English subtitles in that if WB would let me though. Thanks

  22. Elementilist
    Posted February 18, 2009 at 9:00 am

    Its one i’ve always liked and have on video but the amount of times played its lost its quality I have 2 children who I know will enjoy it just as much as me but untill it comes out on DVD they may never get to watch it in the standard it is ment to be watched, people now are playing fantasy based games so im sure it would be a big hit again as it was before you have my vote

  23. Ariel
    Posted March 6, 2009 at 11:59 am

    one of the best animated films ever !
    I live in Israel where it was broadcasted about 20 years ago … Had it recorded and it was one of my favorites tapes.

    It’s a pity people don’t know about this great film. I search for a DVD version of it but all I found was VHS-to-DVD pirated versions … If there was such an official DVD version I will be the first to buy it!

    any luck with Warner Brothers?

  24. emily
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I remember watching this movie on tv. My children remember as well. We have been trying to find it in stores, internet, and any place elese we would think of. Where did you find the web site to view the movie? I am with you, we should have the movie on DVD. It would sell out within minutes of its release. This is a money maker. It will be even bigger money maker if it were to be paired up with the other movies that Rankin-Bass did. Stay with it.

  25. paul of spk.WA
    Posted April 24, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    they did the remake so you can go buy it now

  26. paul of spk.WA
    Posted April 24, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    wikapidia says WB released a remake in 2009

  27. abdo mohamed
    Posted June 15, 2009 at 8:52 am

    iam soooo pleased with the greatest help that you offered my the lyrics of that great song

    thanks sooooooo much

  28. Posted June 30, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    This is a fantastic review of what is a legend of a movie… great to see it remembered by so many.
    I too, would love to add my support to getting it out on DVD -there another ‘colony’ of FoD fans on the IMDB forums aiming for the same thing.
    Has anyone started an online petition? I’ll put up a post about Flight of the Dragons on my website in the next week, which’ll hopefully pull some more more support.
    Please email me if you think there’s anything else I can help with :o )
    Keep up the great work!!
    Vicky x

  29. Posted June 30, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    And if The Last Unicorn (not the best film ever) has sold over 800,000 copies on DVD, that’s surely an argument for Flight of the Dragons next!!

  30. Lewis
    Posted July 17, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    I finally found out the NAME of this movie a couple of days ago. I eventually found a place to download it and burn to DVD though if it were ever released to DVD I’d gladly pay for it!

    The only part I remember as a kid was the end and I was afraid the rest of the movie would be cheesy. Boy was I wrong! What a great little gem of a movie. I hope they put to this DVD.

    I’d love to see this made into a live action movie though I fear they’d mess it up :( but still… the potential is so very much there. I vote for Peter Jackson and WETA to do it, haha. He seems to have a knack for fantasy ;)

  31. cain russell
    Posted July 23, 2009 at 7:10 am

    IF you go to http://www.wayneandersonart.com his new website is up and running not finished yet but go have a look and you can see the original pictures and a clip from the film.

  32. Ashley
    Posted August 11, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    I’m loving the span of time where people comment. Yes this movie among a few others make up my childhood (The Last Unicorn, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, The BFG….just to name a few.)

    I never get old of this movie, I still have the extremely old VHS. If you’ve never seen this movie go see it and watch it with some little kid….Watching this movie helps build good moral values. <3

  33. UraharaZR
    Posted September 4, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    This deserves a DVD at least!

  34. Tenna
    Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    One of the greatest films. I rememebr my mother recording it to VHS when it came on TV when I was just a little thing. My sister and I wore that tape out. Throughout the years we have been watching out for it to be released onto DVD, but have been greatly disappointed. I wish it would get released to DVD soon. There are too many people that I know that would love to own it because it as their favorite film when they were little and wish they could share that with their children. It’s rather shameful that WB just sits on it letting it gather dust. When I worked for a movie store a few years back it was amazing how many folks came in asking if we had the movie on DVD.

  35. Dee Jay
    Posted September 15, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    I am now 26 years old and this has been one of my probably all time favourite movies and a shamme more people have not heard of this movie. i remember this movie from when i was still growing up in single digits as our entire family love the show. one time i shared the movie experince with a girlfriend of mine and she loved the show. people have to see the show to get the full memorizing experience from this amazing show has to offer, even loved the web page. FANASTIC JOB!!!

  36. Posted September 16, 2009 at 10:26 am

    Excabel, have you had any luck contacting WB? I see that their website now has an archive section that lets people download old movies or buy burn-on-demand dvds, but Flight of Dragons isn’t on the list–in fact, when I do a search it doesn’t show up on the WB wesite at all, as if they never heard of it. I thought they had the rights to FofD??

  37. Posted September 16, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Hi Rose, no response from WB. From what I read, they did acquire rights to Rankin Bass animated films including The Flight of Dragons. Aside from spreading the article and emailing WB, one way to get to them is to call up WB representative offices in our respective countries to request for FoD. That way, they’ll see the demand for the film and do something about it. Thanks.

  38. Term`
    Posted October 23, 2009 at 3:35 am

    You have my vote, awesome film, would love to see it made into a well made modern live action film,

    great article

  39. Lung's friend
    Posted November 3, 2009 at 5:53 am

    According to Wikipedia, it will be released on DVD by Warner Archives on Nov. 17, 2009!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flight_of_Dragons

    Anyone who loves dragons and a great story would probably enjoy reading “Dragon Rider” by Cornelia Funke. It’s a wonderful book to read to kids, too.

  40. I'mJustSayin'
    Posted November 19, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    I just checked and Flight of the Dragons is on the WB site.

    http://www.wbshop.com/Flight-of-the-Dragons%2c-The-+MOD/1000123494%2cdefault%2cpd.html?cgid=

  41. muscleman
    Posted November 27, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Bonjour

    j’ ai vu sur ce site que vous étiez très intéressé par ce film

    Je vous invite à aller voir mon site et découvrir ce que je propose

    Vous aurez aussi la possibilité de voir un extrait vidéo de mon travail

    Mon site : http://levoldesdragons.free.fr/

    La version française a été réalisée par mes soins

    Ce DVD est unique car complètement customizé

    A bientôt

    Muscleman

  42. Posted December 8, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Amazon.com is finally doing their burn-on-demand for Flight of Dragons!

  43. Posted December 15, 2009 at 7:07 am

    Hi folks,
    First of all, it’s wonderful to see FOD finally on (official) DVD! Warner Bros listened. Yay! Anyway, I’d like to share with you all an arrangement I did of the main theme. The original composer, Maury Laws, sent me the sheet music along with a warm letter via postal mail about a year ago. This is my attempt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr58xYXgzgM

  44. Steve
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    I enjoyed this post/page/comments, Thanks.

    This film popped in my mind after years of forgetting, well not forgetting about it, but you know… I recently dug out my old VHS copy of this (along with Ralph Bakshi’s LOTR) to find out the horror of the first half to three quarters of it being recorded over by a family home video from 1992 :S :S :S :S :S

    What I did get to see of it, I could still remember all the words surprisingly as it has been nearly 25-30 years since I’d religiously watch it with my mum. ended up with a few tears if I am to be honest. Aside from nostalgia and realising how much time and people have passed through my life since I last saw this, beautiful film and music.

    I thought I’d look on the internet for a copy, yeah surely you’d be able to buy it, no question, such a great film… Imagine the look upon my face when I saw it was absent in the usual places… Okay, I’ll have a look in some more obscure places , eh? nothing here, there must be some mistake! okay then, this feature seems to be in the realm of cult now, and has entered the world of bootlegs and shards of streaming media of times yore.

    It is Nice to see that it has been repressed so to speak but it is of no use to – Warner Brothers neither has a PAL version nor allows the digital download in my country (UK) oh well – way to make a sale and get my money.

    I’m not into obtaining it through the dark magic of file sharing, so I’ll wait or buy a full VHS copy from someone on eBay second hand, and the money going to them instead, I mean Warner can’t possibly worry about not getting my money, right? Either that or they have only just realised, or been pressured by fans that this needed to be dug up from the archives of long forgotten rights they have acquired over the years and are just testing for a market in the US first, and I came prematurely looking for this and my impatience is showing.

    Maybe time will tell and they will release a pal version as I guess it took long enough that they decided to repress this… I can wait, but that it took that long the mind boggles.

    Steve.

    PS. I’ve often thought that they should capitalise on a live action version of this – If John Cleese were a little younger… he’d have been my first choice for Sir Orin.

  45. Posted January 23, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    Hi there

    You have my vote, I was looking to see if the movie was on DVD for my daughter who loves fantacy, sci fi and Dragons.

    I remeber seeing it as a youngster

  46. Arsalan
    Posted February 9, 2010 at 11:40 am

    I’d definitely buy the DVD if they ever get round to putting one out. The Flight of Dragons was one of my favourite animated movies of my childhood. My brother and I recorded it when it played on TV in the mid 80’s and we must have seen it at least a couple of hundred times. It was twice, thrice a week thing for us for years. Wonderful, wonderful story….Wonderful, wonderful, voice acting, beautiful animation and a beautiful, bitter-sweet ending…pure magic!

  47. carl
    Posted February 11, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    I also have been looking for this animated movie for many years. This was one of my favorite childhood movies. Hopefully it will be released on dvd soon.

  48. Milan (SER)
    Posted February 13, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    Oh my God i have seen this movie 1000 times as a child before the war in Bosnia where i lived as and now i live in Serbia and i searched everywhere for this movie and i cant find it :-(

  49. Jorge
    Posted February 23, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I hope a live-action movie adaptation of this becomes available. Also, if you guys remember this one too, The Last Unicorn.

  50. David
    Posted March 25, 2010 at 6:20 am

    you can but it on on ebay. dvd – not great quality

  51. Cameron
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 9:13 am

    It is also available on Amazon in DVD format

  52. james
    Posted May 12, 2010 at 7:53 am

    look! there is a script/screenplay from the film on ebay now till saturday 15th may

  53. Cam
    Posted September 13, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    This movie is awesome, I agree that a live action film (something as epic as Lord of the Rings) that does this story justice would be a GOLDMINE, possibly spawning additional stories, video games, toys, etc. BTW I found a copy of this movie on dvd on ebay, although it is a bootlegged vcr tape transfer to dvd. Still works great, same quality picture and sound that I remember when we recorded it onto a vcr tape back in the 80’s. Top quality voice work, dialogue awesome. Story, characters, everything, Awesome.

  54. Kevin
    Posted October 5, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Incredible! I have spent god knows how long searching for this film as i couldn’t remember the name of it. All i could remember was the green and orange dragons talking about drinking mead so that was all i could search for. I pretty much had given up but AT LAST i have found it!!! Great to see some of the screenshots you have put up, brings back great memories already. If it was released on DVD i would buy 2 just in case 1 broke!!! Brilliant!!!

  55. KEVIN AGAIN
    Posted October 5, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Just bought it……

    http://WWW.FOUNDTHATFILM.CO.UK

    GET IN!!!!!

  56. Des
    Posted October 13, 2010 at 5:23 am

    Oh wow, I finally found out the name of this film I remember from my youth! And everybody seems to have been in the same postition as me!

    I loved it, absolutely loved it, but it was bugging me that I couldn’t remember what the hell it was called. So today I finally got round to trying a few different searches out on Google. And this came up to my amazement.

    Kevin – I see you found somewhere in the UK to get this? Brilliant! Has it arrived for you yet?

  57. Gemma
    Posted December 15, 2010 at 7:31 am

    The music to the movie inspired me for a lot of my musical pieces at School 15 years ago and I still hum the tune today. The whole movies is so mesmerizing and powerful and it would be wonderful to have it out on DVD so as to share the memories I gained from it with my Nieces and nephew.
    You have my vote and thanks for such a nice read!

  58. Dietrick
    Posted January 9, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    All briefs are ceased well earned, and but for the watchful moon keeping her visual over the slumbering countryside, all is still.

    My mom taped this movie over the Christmas holiday when it came on after Mickey’s Christmas Carol, back in 1986. I was 7. I still have that tape till this day, commercials and all. Me and my son watch it everyday!

  59. Cord Moss
    Posted January 26, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    how did they get smrgols voice like that? ive scoured the internet for weeks trying to figure it out. he has that metallic echoing voice. can someone help me figure this out?!

  60. matt damon
    Posted January 26, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!! Sam.M here from London and I couldnt have said it better myself!!! What i would give to have this movie on dvd, omg!!! and to have it as a live action movie, my gosh with todays effects etc it would just be phenominal! BUT!!! You would need a kick ass director and producer, plus an all star great cast of gifted actors to make this movie work as well as it is capable of doing as opposed to just being something for children, or very badly done!!

    Breog is f***ing terrifying, hahahaha, im not going to lie, i was scared of him as kid and i still am now at 23yo! With todays special effects Breog could be seriously scary stuff!!! ich! as could the Ogre, ich!!!!

    Solarius is kick ass man, he was always my favourite wizard!!! and yes i do agree that samuel L.jackson would deffo suit this role!! but i do think lady archer needs to be a true redhead!!! just as the princess needs to be true blond!!! and they both need to be drop dead gorgeous and decent actresses!!!!

    do you know what i would love to get someone like ian mckellen or patrick stewart on for this film, because they would make amazing wizards, tho i guess ian was already a wizard in lord of the rings, but it proves he can already pull it off so so well!!!!

    i know this movie would be a total hit!!!! why dont you write to stephen spielberg or sumthin or david cameron!! there r ways to get them to read wot u have 2 say u know!!!!

    peace man, im glad i wasnt the only one in the world with this vision, lets bring it to life!!!!

  61. Alisha Walsh
    Posted January 28, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Aw man. I need this to be on DVD. I loved it so much and now I want my kids to see it. I need a region 2 one!

  62. George
    Posted February 7, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    I actually have a dvd of this film. I got one from the historian for the Rankin/Bass corporation. I also have a VHS taped on that same christmas in 86!

  63. Rob
    Posted February 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    You can get the DVD directly from Warner Bros. website. They do manufacture on demand directly from the master, and it’s only $15!!

    http://www.wbshop.com/

    search flight of dragons… it’s also available as digital download!!

  64. Darkraven
    Posted March 30, 2011 at 5:01 am

    Just go to Amazon.com they have the movie there, and the book as well.

  65. philip
    Posted September 7, 2011 at 1:27 am

    anyone know of any of the spells that carolinus spoke? I have been trying to remember but i cannot.

    incanto clabatho calla!!!!!

    im sure that is not even close! :)

  66. Adam
    Posted December 24, 2011 at 2:09 am

    No one else should play Peter Dickinson in a live action version but Jason Ritter … agreed?

  67. Posted January 10, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    smrgol should not be robert loggia that is a big no no there is a scottish accent in smrgol when he says “i think my hearts gone laddie” so maybe sean connery, but excellent film and no matter what people think of pirated films this one worth getting

  68. OptimusSolo
    Posted March 19, 2012 at 2:12 am

    Is there anyway any of you would have access to the actual ending credits from this movie? I would love to get my hands on a screen shot that shows the credits and can confirm who voiced all of the original characters. I know who they are but would love the actual proof – please let me know if you have them and send email to bosskdawg@hotmail.com

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