Willow Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A little guy finds a baby, gets bullied into a quest, and accidentally saves the world with the help of a himbo swordsman and a love-struck princess.

🍿 Willow: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Prophecy and a Perilous Birth

Queen Bavmorda, a tyrannical sorceress, rules the land with an iron fist. A prophecy foretells her downfall by a child born with a unique birthmark. To prevent this, Bavmorda imprisons all pregnant women in her realm, intending to kill any child matching the prophecy. However, a baby girl, Elora Danan, is born with the mark.

Willow’s Quest Begins

A midwife escapes with Elora, sending her downriver in a basket. The baby is discovered by Willow Ufgood, a Nelwyn (dwarf) farmer and aspiring sorcerer. Tasked by his village to return Elora to the Daikini (humans), Willow embarks on a dangerous journey, unaware of Elora’s importance and the forces hunting her.

Allies and Enemies

Willow encounters Madmartigan, a rogue swordsman, who becomes an unlikely ally. They are joined by the brownies Franjean and Rool, and are guided by the fairy Cherlindrea, who reveals Elora’s destiny. They face constant threats from Bavmorda’s forces, led by her daughter Sorsha and the ruthless General Kael. Their quest leads them to the sorceress Fin Raziel, now trapped in animal form.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis): A Nelwyn farmer and aspiring sorcerer who is tasked with protecting Elora Danan from the evil Queen Bavmorda.
• Madmartigan (Val Kilmer): A skilled, but imprisoned swordsman who reluctantly becomes an ally to Willow in his quest.
• Elora Danan (Kate and Ruth Greenfield): The infant prophesied to overthrow Queen Bavmorda, making her the target of the queen’s wrath and the key to the kingdom’s salvation.
• Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh): The ruthless and power-hungry sorceress who seeks to maintain her reign by killing Elora Danan.
• Sorsha (Joanne Whalley): Queen Bavmorda’s daughter who initially serves her mother but eventually joins Willow and Madmartigan after falling in love.
• Fin Raziel (Patricia Hayes): A powerful sorceress who guides and mentors Willow, often in the form of various animals due to Bavmorda’s curse.
• General Kael (Pat Roach): Queen Bavmorda’s masked military commander, who relentlessly pursues Willow and Elora.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Madmartigan: “I am the greatest swordsman who ever lived!” – Madmartigan’s frequent boast, often delivered with bravado, despite his less-than-ideal circumstances.
• Willow: “I want to be a sorcerer!” – Willow’s statement of his ambition, driving his quest for magical ability.
• Raziel: “You must help her, Willow Ufgood, for this child is special. She is the one who will bring balance to the world.” – Raziel explaining the significance of Elora Danan and entrusting Willow with her protection.
• Madmartigan: “What do you want, peck?” – Madmartigan responds with a sarcastic insult to the brownies after they annoy him again.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $57,269,863
• Worldwide Gross: $57,270,852

💥 Willow Reviews

Personal Review

I saw ‘Willow’ when I was a kid and it was pure magic! The world felt so real, and I was completely invested in Willow’s journey. The effects might be dated now, but the scene where Fin Raziel transforms into different animals still blows my mind. I will always remember it as one of my favorite fantasy films and I still find myself humming the theme song, even today. It’s an adventure that captured my heart and made me believe in magic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic fantasy films like The Dark Crystal and Legend”
  • “Viewers who enjoy adventure stories with magic and mythical creatures”
  • “Families looking for a PG-rated film with action and humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Fantasy violence and battle scenes”
  • “Some frightening imagery (monsters and dark magic)”
  • “Brief mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Though derivative of better fantasy tales, ‘Willow’ still charms with its inventive creatures and Val Kilmer’s swashbuckling turn. The special effects, while groundbreaking at the time, haven’t aged gracefully, but the heart of the story remains.
• Variety: “‘Willow’ is a visually impressive but narratively predictable fantasy film. Ron Howard’s direction is competent, but the story lacks originality. The movie feels like a collection of familiar fantasy tropes rather than a fresh vision.
• RogerEbert.com: “While ‘Willow’ aims for epic, it often stumbles into the generic. Val Kilmer steals scenes, but the movie as a whole lacks the magic and wonder it so desperately tries to create. It’s a decent adventure, but not a memorable one.

Audience Reactions

Val Kilmer’s performance as Madmartigan is legendary.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s sense of adventure, the charming characters, and the heartwarming story.

James Horner’s score elevates every scene.: The enchanting score, composed by James Horner, is celebrated for enhancing the film’s emotional impact and immersive experience.

Overall Consensus: ‘Willow’ is a beloved fantasy adventure that offers a nostalgic trip for viewers of all ages. While some elements may appear dated, the charm of the story and the performances keep it relevant and entertaining.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Costume)- 1989
2. Saturn Award (Best Special Effects)- 1989

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film featured one of the largest casting calls for little people at the time, with 225-240 actors hired.”
• “The ‘morphing’ technique pioneered in ‘Willow’ was a significant advancement in special effects, later used in films like ‘The Abyss’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’.”
• “General Kael’s skull mask was inspired by one of George Lucas’ film critics as a tongue-in-cheek jab.”

🖥️ How to Watch Willow?

Willow is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible television airings. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be purchased through major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Willow, you might like these similar films:

• The Dark Crystal (1982): Similar dark fantasy setting with puppets and themes of good versus evil.
• Legend (1985): Both feature a quest to defeat darkness in a fantastical world and a visually striking style
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): A group of adventurers travel to a mountain with a baby/ring, they come across a mystical sword wielding ranger on their quest.
• Krull (1983): Set in a fantasy world with swords and magic, featuring a group of heroes on a quest to rescue a princess from an evil force.

🛒 Willow Related Products

• Willow: The Illustrated Edition: A beautiful hardcover edition featuring original paintings, sketches, and behind-the-scenes photos, perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• Willow (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Listen to James Horner’s full original score and relive your favourite moments of the film.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Willow – Madmartigan: A stylized collectible figure of Madmartigan, capturing Val Kilmer’s iconic performance.
• Willow Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original theatrical poster.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Elora Danan” – performed by James Horner
• “Escape from the Tavern” – performed by James Horner
• “Willow’s Theme” – performed by James Horner

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Willow – It’s A Total Disaster

If you’re a fan of the original Willow movie, you’ll want to check out this critical review of the new Disney+ series. The Critical Drinker takes a deep dive into the show’s writing and overall quality, and his insights are both insightful and entertaining.

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