The Last Unicorn Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A unicorn figures out she’s the last unicorn and then gets turned into a lady, falls in love, fights a bull, and has a mid-life crisis about existential dread, all while some wizard tries to remember spells.

🍿 The Last Unicorn: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Unicorn’s Quest Begins

A solitary unicorn, living a peaceful existence in her forest, overhears hunters discussing the disappearance of all other unicorns. Disturbed, she seeks answers from a butterfly, who cryptically reveals that a creature known as the Red Bull is responsible. The unicorn resolves to leave her enchanted forest and discover the fate of her kind, venturing into a world where belief in unicorns is fading.

Mommy Fortuna’s Circus

The unicorn is captured by Mommy Fortuna, a witch who runs a traveling sideshow filled with illusions. Fortuna uses her magic to create false horns for ordinary animals to fool spectators. Schmendrick, a bumbling magician working for Fortuna, can see the unicorn’s true form and feels compassion for her. He decides to help her escape, freeing the other creatures in the process.

Encountering Molly Grue and Prince Lir

After escaping, the unicorn and Schmendrick encounter Molly Grue, a middle-aged woman who has always dreamed of seeing a unicorn. She joins their quest. As they approach the castle of King Haggard, the Red Bull attacks, and Schmendrick transforms the unicorn into a human woman named Amalthea to protect her. She and Prince Lir, Haggard’s adopted son, begin to fall in love.

Confronting King Haggard

The trio gains entry to Haggard’s castle, where Amalthea and Lir’s love deepens. Haggard reveals that he commissioned the Red Bull to drive all the unicorns into the sea, as their beauty was the only thing that brought him joy. Molly, Schmendrick, Amalthea, and Lir find a secret passage to the unicorns’ prison.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Unicorn (Lady Amalthea) (Mia Farrow): The protagonist who embarks on a quest to find other unicorns, facing challenges of identity and mortality when transformed into a human.
• Schmendrick (Alan Arkin): A bumbling but well-meaning magician who accompanies the Unicorn on her journey, providing magical assistance and companionship.
• Molly Grue (Tammy Grimes): A middle-aged woman who joins the Unicorn’s quest, representing lost dreams and the bittersweet nature of time and longing.
• Prince Lir (Jeff Bridges): The gallant prince who falls in love with Amalthea, demonstrating loyalty and selflessness in supporting her true destiny.
• King Haggard (Christopher Lee): The main antagonist, a miserable king obsessed with possessing unicorns, driven by a deep-seated need for joy and beauty.
• Red Bull (N/A): A fearsome, fire-like creature and Haggard’s minion, tasked with hunting and herding unicorns into the sea, representing destructive obsession.
• Mommy Fortuna (Angela Lansbury): A wicked witch who runs a traveling circus of illusions, capturing the Unicorn temporarily and showcasing false magic.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Unicorn: “I am a unicorn, and this is no world for unicorns.” – The Unicorn says this with a tone of melancholy after realizing that the world has forgotten unicorns, making it difficult for her to exist.
• Schmendrick: “There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.” – Schmendrick states this philosophy, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and stories, suggesting that every ending is also a beginning.
• Molly Grue: “Where have you been? Where have you been? Damn you! Where have you been?” – Molly Grue’s emotional outburst upon finally meeting the Unicorn, expressing a lifetime of longing and disillusionment.
• King Haggard: “I knew you were the last.” – King Haggard’s final words, spoken with a mix of despair and recognition as his castle crumbles, highlighting his obsession and the futility of his actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5M
• Domestic Gross: $6.46M
• Worldwide Gross: $6.46M

💥 The Last Unicorn Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I re-watched ‘The Last Unicorn’ after like, twenty years, and wow! It’s way more intense than I remembered. Like, I was tearing up when Molly Grue finally sees the unicorn – Tammy Grimes’ voice acting is just amazing. And Christopher Lee as Haggard? So creepy! The music is catchy and the story about holding onto hope and innocence really sticks with you. It’s not just a kids’ movie; it’s a legit fantasy classic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic animated films”
  • “Lovers of fantasy stories and fairy tales”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films with deep themes and melancholy tones”
  • “Fans of the book ‘The Last Unicorn’ by Peter S. Beagle”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild fantasy violence”
  • “Some frightening imagery (particularly involving the Red Bull)”
  • “Themes of loss, mortality, and regret may be upsetting to very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A visual feast with a surprisingly mature storyline for a children’s film, ‘The Last Unicorn’ tackles themes of loss, identity, and the bittersweet nature of existence. The voice acting is superb, and the animation, while dated, possesses a unique charm.
• Animation World Network: “A cult classic for a reason, this animated gem blends beautiful animation with a haunting soundtrack. While the pacing may be slow for some, the film’s emotional depth and philosophical undertones make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

The unique animation style and haunting score create a truly unforgettable atmosphere.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s emotional impact, beautiful animation, and strong voice acting.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Last Unicorn’ remains a beloved fantasy classic for its unique visuals, emotional depth, and exploration of mature themes, though some find its pacing slow.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sir Christopher Lee, known for his dedication, brought his personal copy of ‘The Last Unicorn’ book to the recording sessions, marking passages he felt were essential to include.”
• “The animation style blends Western and Japanese influences, reflecting the collaboration between Rankin/Bass Productions and Topcraft, a Japanese animation studio that later formed Studio Ghibli.”
• “The soundtrack features original songs by the band America, adding a unique folk-rock vibe to the film’s fantasy setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Last Unicorn?

The Last Unicorn is available for streaming on HBO Max. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Last Unicorn, you might like these similar films:

• The Dark Crystal (1982): Similar dark fantasy themes and elaborate world-building, appealing to audiences who enjoy complex fantasy narratives.
• Legend (1985): Features a quest to protect innocence and light from encroaching darkness, with strong visual fantasy elements.
• Princess Mononoke (1997): Shares themes of environmentalism, the clash between nature and civilization, and mythical creatures with complex motivations.
• Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): A coming-of-age story set in a magical world, focusing on a young protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and independence.

🛒 The Last Unicorn Related Products

• The Last Unicorn [Blu-ray]: Experience the magic of ‘The Last Unicorn’ in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• The Last Unicorn: The Lost Version [Paperback]: The Lost Version paperback novel features the original unedited story, giving fans new insights.
• The Last Unicorn T-Shirt: Show your love for ‘The Last Unicorn’ with this stylish t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the film. Available in various sizes and colors.
• The Last Unicorn Vinyl Soundtrack: Relive the enchanting melodies of ‘The Last Unicorn’ with this limited-edition vinyl soundtrack. A timeless addition to any music collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Last Unicorn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Last Unicorn” – performed by America
• “Man’s Road” – performed by America
• “Now That I’m A Woman” – performed by Mia Farrow & Jeff Bridges

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Last Unicorn Book vs. Movie

Ever wonder how closely ‘The Last Unicorn’ movie stuck to the book? This video breaks down the key differences – some are subtle, others are major changes. Personally, I think they nailed the overall feel, but see what you think!

Molly Grue’s Full Story | The Last Unicorn Analysis

Molly Grue is arguably the most fascinating character in ‘The Last Unicorn.’ This video dives deep into her backstory and motivations, revealing layers you might have missed. I never fully appreciated her complexity until I watched this!

The Last Unicorn: The Lost Version / The Lost Journey Review (The Fangirl)

Did you know there’s a ‘lost version’ of ‘The Last Unicorn’?! This video reviews the original draft and how it differs from the final book. It’s super interesting to see how the story evolved, you won’t believe how different some parts are!

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