Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13749 in VHS
• Released on: 1999-07-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 96 minutes

Amazon.com
A good wizard finds his magical powers diminishing as this Rankin/Bass production based on the Peter Dickinson novel opens. His nemesis, the evil Ommadon (voiced by James Earl Jones at his deepest and scariest), swiftly takes advantage of the situation. Who will save the world? Why, none other than a young scientist-novelist-game inventor, named Peter Dickenson (mildly voiced by John Ritter), who is zapped from the future back into the time of dragons. Populating this Japanese-animation fantasy film are the titular fire-breathing dragons, the wizards, a knight, a maiden, some elves, and--in a feminist departure from tradition--a heroic bowwoman. The battles are fairly mild and most of the virtuous characters recover, making this a good choice for family viewing, as well as a staple for the fantasy fanatic's video library. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Finally found it!
I have loved this movie since I was five and my father first taped it off TV for me. I watched that tape until it broke, sometime around when I was 14. I waited years without seeing it again. Figuring that I would never find such an obscure film online, I half-heartedly searched amazon.com for it, and voila! I was ecstatic! If you are looking for a fantastic movie for your children, I highly recommend this. It has a magical quality that I haven't seen duplicated in more than two or three films since (The Last Unicorn, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, maybe a few others). I can also guarantee that this movie will remain interesting even when you're a 19 year-old college student. :) PS. The cover art for this video is misleading - the real animation is stunning and lovely. If someone you know owns the movie, look at the still shots on the back for a more accurate representation.

Intelligent and Thoughtful Fantasy
Flight of Dragons was on my list of favorite movies during my childhood, and it remained so throughout my teenage years. Such an absolutely delightful film, I just had the pleasure of experiencing it again as an adult (with an adult perspective this time). This film contains such fine characterization, intelligent and thoughtful storyline, and beautiful animation that one can't help but be captivated from beginning to end. It appeals to the child within us all without neglecting the adult part as well. It helps us to nurture our love for fantasy while reminding us to never forget the importance of science and reason. It reminds us that our dreams and fantasies have always served to inspire us in the real world. From dreams come reality...

In the film, a modern day man is drawn into a world he could only have imagined in his wildest dreams when he is suddenly spirited away into the service of a kindly Wizard, to help defeat the forces of darkness in a realm of fantasy. Although not exactly a new concept, it has a unique twist, for this is no ordinary man, he is a man of science and reason with a unique connection to this realm....

Visually the film was a feast for the eyes - filled with exquisitely designed characters - fearsome creatures, colorful wizards, dashing heroes, and beautiful ethereal maidens (and best of all, no cutesy Disney-ish characters for comedy relief). Although the animation lacked the type of enhanced visuals, hyperkinetic action, and 3-D realism of later works of animation, I think that was not such a bad thing in this case. Although the animation looked a bit flat, such careful use of elegant simplicity actually enhanced this film - like a beautifully illustrated fairy tale book brought to life. The film featured a fine voice cast of well known Hollywood actors (John Ritter, James Earl Jones, etc.) who really seemed to be enjoying their roles.

It's still a favorite after all these years. It's a shame that it never got the greater recognition it deserved, while lifeless formulaic Disney fluff like Snow White, Cinderella, etc. became classics. But I guess that's the power of big corporation and marketing. I bet things would not have been so if this film was produced and distributed by Disney as opposed to Rankin and Bass.

Although I now own a brand new copy of the latest tape, I must admit the childish and somewhat ugly cover art is a bit deceptive. Artistically it does this film no justice, but I guess from a marketing point of view, if it enhances sales and hence greater recognition, so be it. I guess there is a method to their madness.... Anyway, enjoy!

A beautiful story for children from ages 5 to 95
First of all, don't judge this film by its cover. I have no idea why the cover art on this looks so goofy when the animation is nothing like it. The cover might also give the impression that this is a cartoon for kids, but it's much deeper and more meaningful than that.

The story can be enjoyed on many levels. It's certainly entertaining enough to enchant any child who appreciates a good adventure/ fantasy story, but it also has some pretty profound thoughts about the presence and importance of magic and imagination in a world dominated by science and logic. Whoever wrote the dialogue on this is certainly very talented: Watch out for Carolinus' speeches in particular. It can raise goosebumps, it's so beautiful.

Like many other people who've sought out this VHS release, I first saw this years ago, when I was around nine or ten years old. This is my third copy, after wearing out the tape I made off've TV, and later lending out my second copy (a gift to me which I was overjoyed to receive) which never returned to me. I like it enough to purchase yet another copy for my permanent video collection. It has lost none of its appeal over the years.