Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- warm
- adventurous
- family movie night
- nostalgic animation viewing
What critics said
Critics generally value the film's imaginative fantasy world, excellent voice cast, warm moments, and intelligent dialogue, while acknowledging dated animation and an uneven narrative thread.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Carolinus seeks to shield the realm of magic from the encroaching realm of logic, making the ideological conflict central to the quest.
Peter Dickinson is described as the first man connected to both science and magic and is summoned to lead the quest.
Bryagh and Smrgol are prominent voiced dragon characters, and contemporary reception specifically highlights the film's dragon characterization.
The Rankin/Bass production was made with Topcraft and was noted for Japanese animation and shimmering effects.
Films like The Flight of Dragons, and why
The Last Unicorn
family-friendly animated fantasy adventure featuring dragons, wizards, quests, and a warm storybook atmosphere
The Black Cauldron
hand-drawn fantasy adventure with magical kingdoms, intelligent dialogue, and an earnest coming-of-age quest
The Sword in the Stone
classic animated sword-and-sorcery fantasy centered on a young hero, magic, and an imaginative mythic world
The Pagemaster
family fantasy adventure blending humor, magic, and a conflict between competing worldviews
Movie Details
- Directors
- Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
- Release Date
- 1982-08-17
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (117)
Cast
- Harry Morgan
- James Gregory
- John Ritter
- Bob McFadden
- Alexandra Stoddart
- James Earl Jones
- Paul Frees
- Don Messick
- Victor Buono
- Larry Storch
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Flight of Dragons about?
- A science-minded outsider is drawn into a dragon-filled magical quest to defend fantasy from the advancing power of logic.
- What is The Flight of Dragons like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Flight of Dragons as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Flight of Dragons violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Flight of Dragons as mild.
- What did critics think of The Flight of Dragons?
- Critics generally value the film's imaginative fantasy world, excellent voice cast, warm moments, and intelligent dialogue, while acknowledging dated animation and an uneven narrative thread.
- Which films are like The Flight of Dragons?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Unicorn, The Black Cauldron, The Sword in the Stone, and The Pagemaster.
- How long is The Flight of Dragons?
- The Flight of Dragons runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Flight of Dragons?
- In United States, The Flight of Dragons is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
