May 20, 1988
Willow is a 1988 American epic high fantasy adventure film directed by Ron Howard and produced by Nigel Wooll. The film was executive produced by George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman from a story by Lucas. The film stars Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, and Jean Marsh. Davis portrays the title character, an aspiring magician who teams up with a disaffected warrior (Kilmer) to protect a baby princess from an evil sorceress (Marsh).
Lucas conceived the idea for the film in 1972, approaching Howard to direct during the post-production phase of Cocoon in 1985. Bob Dolman was brought in to write the screenplay, coming up with seven drafts before finishing in late 1986. It was then set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and principal photography began in April 1987, finishing the following October. The majority of filming took place in Dinorwic quarry in Wales with some at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, as well as a small section in New Zealand. Industrial Light & Magic created the visual effects sequences, which led to a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology.
The film was released in 1988 to mixed reviews from critics with praise for the special effects and character designs but criticisms for its direction and plot. It grossed $137.6 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. While not the blockbuster some expected, it turned a profit based on international box office returns and strong home video and television returns. Additionally, it received two Academy Award nominations. A television series that served as a sequel to the film was released on Disney+ in 2022.
Storyline[]
A young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.
Trailers[]
Sound Effects Used[]
- Ben Burtt Bodyfall Sounds
- Ben Burtt Punching Sounds
- Hollywoodedge, Cannon Mortar Shot PE1094602
- Hollywoodedge, Drinking Glass Smash PE583203
- Hollywoodedge, Explosion Big Spark SDT026001 (debut)
- Hollywoodedge, Small Shatter SmallP PE284501
- Hollywoodedge, Thunder Crack Impac PE1006401
- MGM Roar/SoundDogs, Animals - Lion - C U - Roar (Heard once in the logo.)
- SKYWALKER, AMBIENCE - ENDOR FOREST AMBIENCE
- SKYWALKER, ANIMAL - DEATH DOG BARKING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, ANIMAL - DILOPHOSAURUS CROAKING, SCREAMING (The trills are heard when Willow transforms Raziel into an ostrich.)
- SKYWALKER, ANIMAL - HORSE WHINNYING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, ANIMAL - HORSE GALLOPING, STEADY
- SKYWALKER, ANIMAL - TASMANIAN DEVIL GROWLING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BABY - ELORA BAWLING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BABY - ELORA COOING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BULLET - HOTH BLASTER RICOCHET
- SKYWALKER, BULLET - TWO BULLETS RICOCHET BY (debut)
- SKYWALKER, CAT - CAT MEOWING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, CRASH - CRASHY METAL WITH DEBRIS (debut)
- SKYWALKER, CREATURE - CHIRPING (debut; heard when Willow transforms Raziel into a turtle.)
- SKYWALKER, CROWD - SCREAM IN PANIC
- SKYWALKER, CRUNCH - CRUNCHING CHOKE
- SKYWALKER, DOG - VICIOUS DOG GROWLING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, DOOR - SHORT SQUEAK
- SKYWALKER, ELECTRICITY - BIG VARIOUS SPARKINGS
- SKYWALKER, ELECTRICITY - THE FORCE WHINE
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 01
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 02
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 03
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 04
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 05
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 11
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 12
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 16 (debut)
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 22
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - AT-AT STOMP
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - BIG CRUNCH
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - CRACKLING EXPLOSION, MEDIUM 01
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - MASSIVE INFERNO ROARING (Used for the ice wind spell and a boiling oil spill; heard processed once for the beast blowing fire)
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - MEDIUM SET-OFF WITH WHISTLE
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - SHARP, MUFFLED BLAST (debut)
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY 01
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY 02
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY WITH WHISTLE
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - PALPATINE'S SITH SCREAM (debut; heard when Bavmorda faked her death and attacked Raziel.)
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, LONG, MALE 01
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, LONG, MALE 02
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, SHORT, MALE 01
- SKYWALKER, JET - ARTOO'S ROCKET THRUSTERS
- SKYWALKER LASER BLAST SOUND (Used for the ice wind spell and a boiling oil spill; heard processed once for the beast blowing fire)
- SKYWALKER LIGHTSABER SOUND (One of the versions is used for steam hissing)
- SKYWALKER, METAL - HIGH-PITCHED TWANGY RING
- SKYWALKER, MOVEMENT - SHORT SLIDES IN SNOW, VARIOUS (debut; used when Willow and Madmartigan sliding their way through a snowy mountain.)
- SKYWALKER, PIG - SNARL (Heard when Airk’s men turned into pigs.)
- SKYWALKER POWERLINE SNAPPING SOUND
- SKYWALKER RAINING SOUNDS
- SKYWALKER, ROAR - BARRACUDA GROWL (debut)
- SKYWALKER, ROAR - EBORSISK ROAR (debut)
- SKYWALKER, ROAR - HYDRA SCREECH (debut)
- SKYWALKER ROARING HORSE WHINNY
- SKYWALKER, SCI-FI GUN - EVE'S LASER GUN
- SKYWALKER, SIZZLE - QUICK SIZZLE
- SKYWALKER, SQUISH - DUNG SQUISH (debut; heard when Madmartigan steps in a pile of troll dung.)
- SKYWALKER, THUNDER - DEEP, LOW CRACKLE
- SKYWALKER, THUNDER - LOUD CRACKLING IN A DARK NIGHT
- SKYWALKER, WATER - SINGLE SPLASH
- SKYWALKER, WHISTLE - QUICK SIREN WHISTLE WHIP
- SKYWALKER, WHISTLE - SMALL FIREWORK WHISTLE
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - ARTILLERY FALL 01
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - INDY'S WHIP CRACKS
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - LONG DESCENDING WHOOSH
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - MUFFLED SWISH (debut)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - REDWING PASS BY (debut)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - SCREAM-LIKE PASS BY
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - SINGLE SWISH (reversed)
- SKYWALKER, WIND - HEAVY WIND WHISTLING
- SoundDogs, Explosions - Incoming Artillery - C U - Very Good, Explosions With Incoming Whoosh Of Shell, Large Concussive Whumps From Explosion, Some Whistles An
- Sound Ideas, CHICKEN - BARNYARD, C.U. CLUCK, SQUAWK, FLAP, ANIMAL, BIRD
- Sound Ideas, ELEPHANT - VARIOUS SNORTS, GROWLS, TRUMPETS, ANIMAL (Used for Eborsisk.)
- Sound Ideas, FIRE, BURST - BIG BURST
- Sound Ideas, HAMSTER, DWARF - LITTLE BUSY SQUAWKS, ANIMAL, RODENT (debut)
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - 3 WHINNIES, 3 SNORTS, C.U, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - CRIES, VARIETY OF STALLION CRIES, ANIMAL (debut)
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - FOOTSTEPS, WALKING ON PAVEMENT, GRAVEL & BACK, ANIMAL (debut)
- Sound Ideas, PIG, GROUP - BUSY, DENSE, NICE IMAGE, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, RICOCHET - CARTOON RICCO 03 (Heard in various pitches)
- Sound Ideas, ROCKS, EARTHQUAKE - RUMBLE, CREAKS, CRASHES, TUMBLING, AVALANCHE
- Sound Ideas, WEATHER, LIGHTNING - BOLT OF LIGHTNING STRIKES CLOSE BY, THUNDER 10
- Sound Ideas, WIND - BLIZZARD WIND, BLUSTERY, COLD, BUFFETING, WEATHER (debut?)
- Sound Ideas, WIND - DESERT WIND, LONELY, HAUNTING, OMINOUS, WEATHER
- Sound Ideas, WIND - FOREST WIND, LEAVES STIR, WEATHER
- Sound Ideas, WWII Explosion With Flare 07 - Single, World War II era explosion with flare-up (debut)
- Sound Ideas, WWII Explosion With Flare & Fire - Single, World War II era explosion with flare-up and fire finish
- Space Lightning 01
- WB FIRE HISS/WHOOSH SOUND/SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 20
- Wilhelm Scream