Talk:The Flight of Dragons

Animation style
If anyone knows, what is the story behind the animation of the Flight of Dragons? It has many of the characteristics common to the Japanese anime of that era, but this is clearly an American animated film. Perhaps some US studio said "lets make an American animated movie, but have it animated in the Japanese style."


 * At the time the movie was made, a lot of animated movies had the animation outsourced to Asia. I don't really know enough details about that to be able to add it to the article, though. --user.lain 20:29, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Most sources seem to point to FOD's animation being outsourced to a Japanese company called Studio Topcraft, which also helped with a few of Rankin Bass's other productions such as The Hobbit and Last Unicorn. This company only slightly afterward went on to join Miyazaki on Nausicaa. There's mention of this in the Studio Ghibli entry of Wikipedia. The problem is, it's hard to find details about the Japanese side of the production.

Thanks for the replies. I noticed the similarities between the Hobbit and the Last Unicorn with the Flight of Dragons. Funny how these things go. It also reminded me of the Sea Prince and the Fire Child, an anime I saw on the Japanese channel when I lived in the Philippines in 80s. EECavazos 02:27, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Filling out the article
Who started filling out this article? Do you think a section on interpretation should be added? There is plenty to run on because of the dialectic between magic and science. In this film I think it's cool how science saves the day where usually in movies science is kept in the Frankenstein corner.

What about a section on the animation? In the discussion people already added a lot, enough that could be added to the article.

Can you think of other sections?

EECavazos 03:32, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

When I first watched this I was disappointed about the supposed conflict between science and magic. The problem is that as James Burke pointed out in his Day the Universe Changed series science is simply a model of how we think the universe works. In a world where magic actually worked and could be reproduced on demand magic would be subject to scientific study just like anything else. The term Thaumatology has been borrowed to describe a field where magic is explained via science.

Worse the the ending is especially poor because Peter's assault is mainly based on what was even then (1982) outdated science. Quantum Physics DOES allow two objects to coexist in the same space and time (Hugh Everett's many-worlds interpretation which was used in comics to explain their fictional multiverses). Schrödinger Cat's is another scientific concept as bizarre as anything magic could come up with. The list goes on and on which really herts the ending of this film.--216.31.13.104 (talk) 15:01, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Zoology
"Zoology!" was removed from the quotes section because it supposedly didn't appear in the movie; however, doesn't Peter list the names of branches of science when he says he disbelieves all forms of magic? IMHO it should be added back, perhaps in a better context. --Kjoonlee 07:06, 25 October 2006 (UTC)

Incorrect Credits?
I believe that the IMDb may be wrong regarding the voice casting of Robert McFadden as Sir Orin. I believe Larry Storch is the voice of Sir Orin. If you download a video of Mr. Storch doing his aristocratic character voice, it's a dead on match for Orin.

Additionally, there are two very prolific voice actors - Ed Peck and Jack Lester - who are not listed within the article. As it is "commonly known" that the credit for Solarius is missing, perhaps if examples of Mr. Peck's and Mr. Lester's work can be viewed for comparison, corrections can be made.

I'm not going to make the edit to change Orin's credit to Mr. Storch at this time, but certainly wanted to put this information here. Credit where credit is due!

EDIT: Having listened to Bob McFadden's work as Slythe on "Thundercats," I am now absolutely convinced that Robert McFadden voiced Solarius and Larry Storch voiced Sir Orin, which is in direct contravention of information in this article. I will endeavor to contact production teams involved with their work and post that source information here should I obtain it.

Bhs itrt 13:06, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

EDIT: I have today written to Mr. Larry Storch through his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/thelarrystorch. It is my hope that through his first-hand account, we can confirm some of the voice talents in "Flight of Dragons."

For the record, I recall vividly watching the "movie of the week" airing of "Flight of Dragons" as a child, and it has been an enduring memory of mine. This film is currently available on Google Video in its entirety. I think it's a wonderful film, featuring some of the most remarkable voice talents. The performances are really quite compelling, and I regard it as one of Rankin/Bass' most dramatically-rich works! (Hence my great interest!)

Bhs itrt 13:49, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

The Book
There is no article on the actual book, and all references redirect to this movie page. That cant be good, can it?
 * Well if you feel brave enough, go ahead and create an article about the book.--NeilEvans 19:46, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Fod1.jpg
Image:Fod1.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 02:39, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Fod1.jpg
Image:Fod1.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 04:50, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Smrgol
That's the dragon's name in The Hobbit. Deserves at least a passing mention, I'd have thought, since I can't believe it was accidental. 86.132.139.133 (talk) 00:24, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

You mean "Smaug"? 134.161.227.84 (talk) 19:33, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

I think you are confusing Smrgol (one of the dragons from this film) and Smaug the dragon from The Hobbit with Smeagol which is the real name of the character Gollum from The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. Penrithguy (talk) 20:47, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Limited Edition DVD???
There is absolutely no proof that such a thing ever existed, and whoever added this line to the article should add a source. Ebay doesn't count. Generally, the FOD DVDs on ebay are bootlegs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.233.164.168 (talk) 08:07, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

Release
Where is the source that says it was originally released on August 20, 1982 directly to video? I am wondering why they released it directly to video. I know one of the reasons for releasing a film directly to video is being a foreign film & it was release in the UK first but I don't see why they chose to release it in the UK first. Also, on the list of Rankin/Bass Productions films, it's billed as a TV special. A reason for releasing a special directly to video is lack of support from a T.V. network but there's no info on whether or not it was originally intended to be a T.V. special on it's premiere. Topcraft films before that were theatrical releases. Also, it wasn't until the 1990s, that family films was the norm for direct to video films. Evope (talk) 19:17, 1 August 2022 (UTC)

Live action film link
The link at the bottom to a live action film seems to lead to a suspicious website (my antivirus gave me a warning and closed it). Mentioning it here before removing the link. GracieLizzie (talk) 23:19, 24 August 2023 (UTC)