Have you ever dreamt of saving the world from evil? I am sure you must have thought this many times in your life. But moving away from superhero movies, there is one movie named “Willow“, that will make you relive your thought of saving the world.
Willow is an obscure fantasy movie by Ron Howard, published in 1988. George Lucas created the picture based on a script of Lucas, written by Bob Dolman.
This film features Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh and Billy Barty. Davis depicts the tiresome farmer Willow, who saves a kid from a cruel queen who threatens to destroy her and conquer the world over.
What is in the Movie “Willow”?
Queen Bavmorda of Nockmaar imprisons all pregnant Daikini women in her territory to avoid the fulfilment of a prophecy that a Daikini (human) kid with a unique rune birthmark will bring about her demise.
Although the predicted child is born, her mother persuades the midwife to sneak the infant out of the castle. Bavmorda kills the mother and pursues the midwife with her wolf-like Nockmaar dogs.
Before the midwife is murdered by the hounds, she throws the baby adrift on a grass raft, and Bavmorda sends her daughter Sorsha and an army headed by General Kael to find the infant.
A community of Nelwyn (small people) prepares for a festival some way downriver. The infant is discovered by the children of Willow Ufgood, a farmer and aspiring magician, and his family adopts her and grows to love her. A Nockmaar dog appears at the celebration and attacks all the cradles it can find.
Willow delivers the infant to the village chief, the High Aldwin, as the likely cause for the dog's arrival after the Nelwyn soldiers kill it. The infant must be returned to a Daikini family, according to the High Aldwin, so Willow and a group of volunteers set out to find one.
They come upon Madmartigan, a mercenary imprisoned in a crow's cage, who offers to take the infant in return for his release at a crossroads. The bulk of the Nelwyn believe they should give the infant to him, but Willow and his buddy Meegosh refuse, prompting the rest of the Nelwyn to desert them and return home.
Willow relents and agrees to Madmartigan's conditions after encountering Madmartigan's old buddy Airk, who is on his way to assault Bavmorda with an army.
Let's Know the Development of the Movie
The film (formerly named Munchkins) was created by George Lucas in 1972. He developed “a variety of well-known mythical settings for a young audience,” similar to Star Wars.
Lucas asked Warwick Davis, who was playing Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, about playing Willow Ufgood during the filming of Return of the Jedi in 1982. It took five years for him to be cast in the role.
Lucas stated that he had to wait until the mid-1980s to produce the movie because visual effects technology had finally progressed to the point where he could realise his vision. Meanwhile, Ron Howard, the actor-turned-director, was seeking a fantasy project.
How Was the Filming done?
The film's principal filming began on April 2, 1987, and finished in October of the same year. The interior footage was shot in Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England, with location shooting at Dinorwic Quarry in Wales and New Zealand.
Originally, Lucas planned to shoot the picture in the same style as Return of the Jedi, with studio scenes at Elstree and settings in Northern California, but the plan fell through.
Some exteriors were shot on-site at Burney Falls, near Mount Shasta, and surrounding Skywalker Ranch. Lucas was denied permission to film on location in China by the Chinese authorities.
Release Story of the Movie
The film was preceded by a THX trailer, titled “Cimarron,” which was recalled after a few months due to theatre owners' complaints that it blew out speaker drivers, prompting THX to create a new quieter, more symphonic mix and more common of the said trailer, composed and conducted by the late James Horner.
The standard version, which was published in 1995 to highlight the benefits of Dolby Digital sound, is available on DVD and YouTube. The original mix was allegedly utilised until 1992, and some theatre projectionists continued to use it after that for personal reasons.
At the 1988 Cannes Picture Festival, the film was screened and promoted. It was released in 1,209 theatres on May 20, 1988, and grossed $8,300,169 in its first weekend, making it the top weekend box office film of the year.
Wrapping Up
I have told you half a story only, but there is a lot to watch forward. So, to watch this movie, open your Disney+ account and search the movie. I am sure you are going to enjoy it because I did. For more interesting gossip about series and movies, stick to our website.
