The Chronicles of Prydain and Disney (possible spoilers)

[Ruffian]

I'm rereading the Chronicles of Prydain and was wondering if anyone would like to see Disney continue their adaptation from the Black Cauldron? The story gets better as it moves along and would definitely make better sequels than the DTVs Disney's been churning out, and could also potentially surpass the first movie.

I saw the movie a LONG time ago before ever reading the books so fine details I won't be able to recall. I can recall my general reactions and the main one being the ending. It disappointed me because it felt unfinished. The Horned King scared the heck out of me, and Gurgi was so much cuter than I could have imagined. I love the character designs and the animation was beautiful as always. If done right (always the if...) the entire saga could possibly have been Disney's LOTR.

Also, for fans of the books, how did you like the movie? Did it stay with the book enough, or not enough IYO? Nitpicks?

[Fone Bone]

The Black Cauldron is one of the few Disney movies they could do a sequel to in good consience. (The others are The Rescuers, The Three Caballeros, and Alice in Wonderland (but I'd insist that one would be theatrical). It was such a dismal failure at the box office however that it is most definately on the back burner. I bought the movie on tape a couple of years ago and it really made me want to read the entire book series. How many books are in the series and what are their titles? Do they sell them in a box set?

[Ruffian]

There's five books in all:

The Book of Three (which is what the Disney movie is really based on)
The Black Cauldron
The Castle of Llyr
Taran Wanderer
The High King

I checked Amazon.com and I don't see a box set, but each of the paperbacks are $5.99. Hardcovers are also available.

Another good book to get, $4.99 in paperback, is The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain. It's a collection of short stories about some of the characters in the above five books that predates Taran's time, such as where Dallben comes from and how Fflewddur Fflam got his harp.

EDIT: The Prydain Companion: A Reference Guide to Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, by Michael O. Tunnell and a forward by Alexander Lloyd. This book I found only in hardcover and it's what its title suggest, a reference guide. Also includes a little biography of Mr. Alexander.

[phonica]

The Black Cauldron is one of the Disney films I haven't seen, but am most intrigued with, as I am Welsh and the books are predominantly of Welsh influence... is it any good?

I remember my mother saying that someone from Wales won a competition for their idea of the Legend of Gelert to be animated by Disney... does anybody remember this, or have seen it?

The chronicles sound like an interest read too

[Fone Bone]

There's five books in all:

The Book of Three (which is what the Disney movie is really based on)
The Black Cauldron
The Castle of Llyr
Taran Wanderer
The High King

I checked Amazon.com and I don't see a box set, but each of the paperbacks are $5.99. Hardcovers are also available.

Another good book to get, $4.99 in paperback, is The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain. It's a collection of short stories about some of the characters in the above five books that predates Taran's time, such as where Dallben comes from and how Fflewddur Fflam got his harp.

EDIT: The Prydain Companion: A Reference Guide to Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, by Michael O. Tunnell and a forward by Alexander Lloyd. This book I found only in hardcover and it's what its title suggest, a reference guide. Also includes a little biography of Mr. Alexander.Thanks. I'll look into them. Is Lloyd Alexander still alive?

[ToOn~g@l]

Wow theres more to the Black Cauldron than that one story. Cool. I should start reading them then. Yay more books to read!!!!:D

[Ruffian]

The Black Cauldron is one of the Disney films I haven't seen, but am most intrigued with, as I am Welsh and the books are predominantly of Welsh influence... is it any good?

I remember my mother saying that someone from Wales won a competition for their idea of the Legend of Gelert to be animated by Disney... does anybody remember this, or have seen it?

The chronicles sound like an interest read too The books are good. They're often ranked with A Wrinkle in Time and The Chronicles of Narnia as some of the best children/young adult books of all time. The Book of Three is very much an introduction, establishing the main characters, background, and conflict. The Black Cauldron, also a Newberry Honor book, is really where the story takes off. The High King is the best of the bunch and it is a Newberry Medal winner.

Thanks. I'll look into them. Is Lloyd Alexander still alive? You're Welcome. :) Lloyd Alexander is still alive as far as I know. He's also had some books published in the mid-90's.

Wow theres more to the Black Cauldron than that one story. Cool. I should start reading them then. Yay more books to read!!!!:D :D

To everyone wanting to read the books, make sure you read The Foundling after the chronicles. It's got quite a bit of spoilers.