The Last Unicorn

This 1982 animated fantasy, based on the novel by Hugo Award–winning author Peter S. Beagle (adapting his own book for the screen), hails from another era of feature animation, with less detailed images and character designs. While showing its age, however, The Last Unicorn boasts a particularly strong story and a stellar voice cast. Mia Farrow gives life to the title character, a magical being who embarks on an odyssey to find out why her fellow unicorns have disappeared; Alan Arkin is Schmendrick, the magician who joins her on the journey; and Christopher Lee is Haggard, the king who holds the information she's seeking. Others featured include Jeff Bridges, Angela Lansbury, Robert Klein, and Rene Auberjonois. Produced and directed by TV animation veterans Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., the film features songs written by Jimmy Webb and performed by America. Previously available on DVD, The Last Unicorn makes its high-def debut in a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack, with extras including audio commentary by Beagle and publisher Connor Cochran, a “making-of” featurette, a segment on the characters, a look at Beagle and his work, and art galleries. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)[Blu-ray Review—June 2, 2015—Shout! Factory, 93 min., G, $19.95—Making its latest appearance on Blu-ray, 1982's The Last Unicorn (The Enchanted Edition) features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include a new audio commentary by author Peter S. Beagle, associate producer Michael Chase Walker, Conlon Press publisher Connor Cochran, Beagle friend Terri Kempton, and emcee Travis Ashmore, a “True Magic” making-of featurette (44 min.), highlights from the worldwide screening tour with Beagle (11 min.), animated storyboards (8 min.), trailers, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a beautiful Blu-ray edition of a much-loved animated fantasy film.]