May 20, 1988
Willow is a 1988 American dark fantasy drama film directed by Ron Howard. It was produced by George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman from a story by Lucas. It stars Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Billy Barty. Davis plays Willow, a reluctant farmer who plays a critical role in protecting a baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her and take over the world.
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 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. 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 based on the film is in development, scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2022.
Storyline
A baby girl is discovered in a river by Ranon and Mims, the children of Willow Ufgood, a dwarf farmer and magician and the baby girl is taken into the care of Willow's family. But when a terrifying dog-like creature attacks Willow's village, whilst tracking down the baby. Willow consults the village council and the wizard The High Aldwin. The High Aldwin gives Willow a task and Willow leaves the village and embarks on the task to give the baby girl to a responsible person. But Willow soon learns the baby is Elora Danan, the baby girl destined to bring about the downfall of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda. Joined by his allies: swordsman Madmartigan, sorceress Fin Raziel and the Brownies Franjean and Rool, Willow takes it upon himself to protect Elora from Queen Bavmorda, who intends to kill Elora and prevent Elora from fulfilling her destiny. And Willow and his allies are pursued by Queen Bavmorda's daughter Sorsha and the evil commander of Queen Bavmorda's army General Kael, whom are searching for Elora and bring her back to Queen Bavmorda's castle, where Queen Bavmorda bids to kill Elora in a ritual and prevent the prophecy of her downfall.
Sound Effects Used
- Ben Burtt Bodyfall Sounds
- Ben Burtt Punching Sounds
- Hollywoodedge, Explosion Big Spark SDT026001 (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BABY - ELORA BAWLING (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BULLET - HOTH BLASTER RICOCHET
- SKYWALKER, BULLET - TWO BULLETS RICOCHET BY (debut)
- SKYWALKER, CRASH - CRASHY METAL WITH DEBRIS (debut)
- SKYWALKER, CROWD - SCREAM IN PANIC
- SKYWALKER, CRUNCH - CRUNCHING CHOKE
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 01
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 16
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 22
- 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
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY 01
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, LONG, MALE 01
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, LONG, MALE 02
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, SHORT, MALE 01
- 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 POWERLINE SNAPPING SOUND
- SKYWALKER, ROAR - BARRACUDA GROWL (debut)
- SKYWALKER, ROAR - EBORSISK ROAR (debut)
- SKYWALKER ROARING HORSE WHINNY
- SKYWALKER, SCI-FI GUN - EVE'S LASER GUN
- SKYWALKER, SIZZLE - QUICK SIZZLE
- 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 - MUFFLED SWISH (debut)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - REDWING PASS BY (debut)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - SINGLE SWISH (reversed)
- SKYWALKER, WIND - HEAVY WIND WHISTLING
- Sound Ideas, CHICKEN - BARNYARD, C.U. CLUCK, SQUAWK, FLAP, ANIMAL, BIRD
- 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 (debut)
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - CRIES, VARIETY OF STALLION CRIES, ANIMAL (debut)
- 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
- Wilhelm Scream
