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The Flight of Dragons (NR, 1986)

common sense media says

Imaginative fantasy pits science against magic.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids will see sword fighting, causing human casualties. They will also see dragons getting drunk, and, at one point, what appears to be the death of the entire human cast. On the other hand, the video's ongoing magic vs. science debate -- which includes some actual scientific explanations -- really gets kids thinking.

Positive messages: Sorcery and occultism galore.
Violence & scariness: Sword fighitng, and resulting human casualties. The whole human cast appears to die at one point.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The dragons get drunk on wine.
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More on The Flight of Dragons

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about fairy tales. Who are they usually meant to appeal to? What are some of the traditional conventions? How does this one differ from other fairy tales you've seen?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this animated feature, a present-day man is sent back to ancient times to save the dying realms of magic from the Modern Era. In the end, both science and imagination come out winners. As mankind moves away from magic and toward science, the wizard Carolinus (voiced by Harry Morgan) finds his powers weakening, although he's surrounded by dragons, fairies, knights, and princesses. Carolinus's brother, the evil Red Wizard Ommadon (James Earl Jones), offers to help by destroying all of human civilization! To defeat Ommadon, Carolinus summons the one person able to bridge the worlds of science and magic: a 20th-century sci-fi writer named Peter Dickenson (John Ritter). Dickenson relishes his magical quest -- until a spell gone wrong leaves his mind trapped in the body of a friendly dragon named Gorbash.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Few stories feel both traditional and modern. Rarer still: a fairy tale that appeals to middle-schoolers. Some of the animation is bland, but the smart story still soars and THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS is one of the brainiest and imaginative fantasies around. This thought-provoking Rankin-Bass video is drawn from an obscure fantasy novel, The Dragon and the George, by Gordon R. Dickson. When Gorbash offers an enchanting biochemical explanation for fire-breathing dragons, or Carolinus shows off his library of yet-to-be-published books (including The Wizard of Oz), you know you've discovered an unusually savvy and enlightened fairy tale.

There's plenty of daring swordplay -- and lots of dragons -- to please young adventure-lovers, but older viewers have even more to relish. Repeated tributes to the many fields of science are inspiring -- especially during the climax, when Peter combats Ommadon's foul incantations by reciting laws of Newtonian physics. Dramatic theme music and engaging humor add to the appeal. The animation is decent, but not a strong point.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Jules Bass
Cast: John Ritter
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: August 3, 1986
DVD release: August 13, 1996
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: Not Rated
This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

wolflover
teen, 13 years old
7
 
Love It!
When I was 6, we had a first choice video in town. Whenever we when to it I would always request The Flight of Dragons. I remember my older brother not liking the movie. I now own it on VHS (yes, my family is that ancient). It is a very good movie for 6 year old's. Why did I say 7 and up you ask? It is because some of the scenes are questionable. As in a scene where Two of the dragons get drunk, and other scenes where monsters, and dragons fight. Other than that the movie is wonderful for 6 year olds.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
861138
educator
9
 
Scariness A Problem, Great Story & Message Though
The animation was a little scary when I first watched it as a kid. The graphics are simple but very detailed like a Arthur Rickman illustration. So when there is a closeup of characters whether good guy or bad guy, it makes for a sometimes chilling and frightening watch for kids. Overall though after I watched it as an adult, the story has some positive messages for kids about picking science over magic, using magic as a motivator for our hopes, dreams, and work, and whether the main villian is any indication of the society we live in and people we have become.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)

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