Wizards (movie)

Wizards animated post-apocalyptic Science Fiction/Fantasy epic movie written, produced and directed by Ralph Bakshi in 1977 by 20th Century Fox

Related Topics:
Animated - Post-apocalyptic - Science Fiction - Fantasy - Epic - Movie - Ralph Bakshi - 1977 - 20th Century Fox

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The film, originally titled War Wizards, was originally to be entirely cel-animated from scratch, but because of budget problems, Bakshi was unable to complete the battle sequences with the budget Fox had given him. When he asked them for a budget increase, they refused (during the same meeting, director George Lucas had asked for a budget increase for Star Wars, which was being made at the same time). So, Bakshi finished his film by paying out of his own pocket and using rotoscoping for the unfinished battle sequences. In these sequences, stock footage is stripped of detail, leaving only shadows of the live figures to be painted over onto animation cels. Clips include scenes taken from films such as Zulu, El Cid, Patton and Battle of the Bulge.

Related Topics:
George Lucas - Star Wars - Rotoscoping - Zulu - El Cid - Patton - Battle of the Bulge

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The original title was shortened to Wizards to avoid confusion with Star Wars.

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The film grossed $9 million theatrically, and was considered to be a hit by Bakshi and his crew. It has since been released on home video. Fox had intitionally neglected to put the feature out on DVD until an online petition demanding the film's release on DVD was brought to their attention (the TV series Family Guy, also distributed by Fox, was brought back to television the same way). The disc featured an audio commentary track by Bakshi and the segment , in which Bakshi talks about the film against a black screen. Various production photos and clips from the film are shown throughout the documentary.

Related Topics:
Home video - DVD - Family Guy - Audio commentary

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Also of interest are the multiple photo galleries on the disc, which feature some very interesting early sketches of the characters, including nude sketchs of Elinore the faery pupil.

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