Wizards (1977)

57% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(7,826 ratings)

In this animated futuristic tale, a pair of twins must fight for domination of what is left of the world, the good man using the powers of magic in an attempt to save the Earth, and the evil twin taking advantage of the horrors of technology that again threaten to destroy everything. ~ Iotis… More In this animated futuristic tale, a pair of twins must fight for domination of what is left of the world, the good man using the powers of magic in an attempt to save the Earth, and the evil twin taking advantage of the horrors of technology that again threaten to destroy everything. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Ralph Bakshi
Written By: Ralph Bakshi
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1977 Wide
On DVD: May 25, 2004
Studio: Eureka Entertainment Ltd

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Ralph Bakshi's animated sword-and-sorcery tale is a long way from his best work, marred by cut-rate techniques and a shapeless screenplay.
A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Mr. Bakshi's allegory is fairly obvious from the outset, but he and his animators are convincingly professional. They have devised a melange of animation and live footage that gives their feature mystical, slightly scary and, occasionally, comic tones.
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com
The story is kind of a mess, but Wizards goes beyond your standard sword and sorcery tale into some heavy surrealism.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
a unique film unlike anything else you'll see from this era
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
Story and characters leave much to be desired, but there's something wonderful about this refreshingly gritty, innovative animated feature.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Its status as a low-budget cult film seems secure. I just don't think it's as good a film as it might have been with more restrained storytelling or art design.
Simon Foster, sbs.com.au
If some elements do date the film, there nevertheless is an artisan's touch to Bakshi's images that warrant his inclusion in any discussion of cinema's great visionaries.
Anton Bitel, Eye for Film
while having so little money may, paradoxically, have liberated Bakshi from studio interference, this freedom allows him to indulge in ideas that are, metaphorically and otherwise, away with the fairies.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An effective mix of animation, stock footage, and rear projection.
, Time Out
Moderate fun here and there.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Ahead of its day when released Bakshi animation
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
fails as a fantasy adventure story, it fails as a fable about the horrors of war, and it fails as an animated film

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Bakshi's fantasy sci-fi movie has his great animated style as always, and the story is very interesting. I enjoyed this movie, and if you like Bakshi's work or just fantasy cartoons, you'll like it too.
Tim S

Extraordinary adult-themed cartoon. The confrontation at the end is worth your time alone.
Luke B

This bizarre and unique film could only have come from the mind of Bakshi. Throw all of your preconceptions of animation aside and enjoy this artistically different film. It has the good fairies and elves battling the evil mutants. All goes wrong when the mutants uncover footage from… More
This bizarre and unique film could only have come from the mind of Bakshi. Throw all of your preconceptions of animation aside and enjoy this artistically different film. It has the good fairies and elves battling the evil mutants. All goes wrong when the mutants uncover footage from a forgotten time, this footage is of Hitler and his atrocities. They use it to strike fear into their enemies and it's up to a Wizard, an Elf, a girl in training and a reformed assassin to stop the mutants. Mixing the animated characters with detailed backgrounds along with live action battle scenes "made up" to fit into the film, it's a brilliant and ingenious use of the medium. The story will appeal to literally all ages, though maybe the youngest of children should steer clear. The ending was both brilliant and hilarious, not to mention cool as hell. The voice talent was all very natural, each line sounds like it could come from a real person and not just a cartoon. This is a film for any fan of animation, craving something different from Pixar/Disney/Ghibli etc.
Curtis L

Pretty neat at times. The rotoscoped marching of innumerable troops got old real fast, but otherwise you can't deny a story that involves cartoon wizards resurecting the nazis.
Jason S

A sci fi cartoon that is as shocking as it is artful. This one is not for the kids. The style is different than what I have seen before and the story is pretty mixed and diverse. This is not for everyone.
Mike T

An imaginative spectacle that bursts with Bakshi's uniquely homegrown sensibility. The energy and visual beauty of this film really won me over. Within its brief length of 80 minutes, it achieves an epic feel, which is in itself no small feat. A really fantastic animated movie.
Marion R

An really interesting animation, it's different than anything I have seen. It's a Sci-fi/ fantasy film, really interesting.
Christopher B

Was my favourite cartoon for a lot of my childhood, and seeing it as an adult I realize it is one of the few times I had good taste when I was younger. Bakshi does a great job with this, blending modern day fears with a Lord of the Rings type story. Excellent.