Starchaser: Legend of Orin, anyone seen this?

[Mcready]

Great underrated sci-fi animated gem from Filmation which i believe is their best animated movie and an improvement over their previous animations. It's kind of like "Star Wars" meets the story of Moses by the way of "Rock & Rule" and it's got stunning animation and visuals for it's time even with early CGI.

It's always been a personal favorite of mine for quite some time and i highly recommend this movie.

[aalong64]

I've got it on DVD, but I don't think too highly of it. I watch it sometimes, but it's really not that great. It's blatantly unoriginal and derivative, most notably of Star Wars. Most of the characters and script are cliche'd and annoying. I like some of the music though, and the space fights are cool (particularly the shots where they zoom out from the animated characters in the cockpit to the exterior shot of the ship). The animation is decent. Jeffrey Scott mentions how he came up with it in his book on writing for animation (in which he really comes off as a hack).:p

I didn't know it was by Filmation, it seems too high-budget for them.

[JohnCrichton]

Back in the day when I saw it, it blew my motherlovn' mind with out adult the animation and story were.

[Chris Wood]

OK, so I was having an argument about this on another site. Did Filmation staff really animate this? I find that very hard to believe given their limited abilities. Wasn't it a Korean studio?

[Michael24]

I've read about this movie over the years, but haven't seen it yet. It was playing on one of the Encores a couple years ago while I was staying with a friend, but the cable guide was screwed up and I only caught the end credits. :( But now that the DVD is out, I have it on my NetFlix cue and am looking forward to finally seeing it.

[MonkeyFunk]

OK, so I was having an argument about this on another site. Did Filmation staff really animate this? I find that very hard to believe given their limited abilities. Wasn't it a Korean studio?

I saw it a couple of months back, there was definitely a Korean studio in the credits. I didn't notice Filmation at the time, but that's what IMDB says...

[Jon T]

First rule of business when it comes to the IMDB...never fully trust what it says. The site has sadly become increasingly notorious over the last few years as ill-educated users have persisted in filling the site with inaccurate information.

Filmation had nothing to do with Starchaser. It was (as has thankfully already been noticed!) animated by a Korean studio; in this case, Mi-Hahn (or Mihan), who also animated Spider-Woman, most of the two 1980s Spider-Man series, and the 1982 Incredible Hulk, all for Marvel. I do recall some people in the credits who did work at Filmation as well, but the company itself was completely univolved in the production. Having said that however, Filmation did do some very good work of comparable quality in the Flash Gordon and Bravestar movies (not the TV versions).


Jeffrey Scott mentions how he came up with it in his book on writing for animation (in which he really comes off as a hack).:p

I've not read his book, but quite frankly I'm not surprised with your conclusion given the quality of stuff he used to put out in the 1970s and 1980s, such as Spider-Woman and the Superfriends; not exactly series with well-regarded writing! :)

[Chris Wood]

Having said that however, Filmation did do some very good work of comparable quality in the Flash Gordon and Bravestar movies (not the TV versions).

Flash and Bravestarr movies?? Please explain.

[trayguy]

I have Starchaser on video tape and like it very much. The story was very well told IMHO.

[Jon T]

Flash and Bravestarr movies?? Please explain.

With Flash Gordon, Filmation actually originally wanted to do a live-action feature for TV, but found it beyond their budget range (hardly surprising!). The sold off the live-action rights but could still make a full-length animated feature, and did in the late 70s. At the time, it was a very-well crafted production, especially for Filmation, with very little of their patented stock animation sequences, etc.

They used a lot of rotoscoping for people and spaceships to create an ultra-smooth look to the animation. However, no one picked up the feature at the time, so Filmation re-edited some of the footage and turned it into a whole TV series, which made it to the air first in 1979. I believe the first four episodes of the TV series were mostly based on the film. The movie was eventually shown, but a few years later in 1982.

Unlike the TV series, the film established quite a few facts that were left somewhat vague in the TV show, such as the setting being 1939, and Ming the Merciless having an alliance with no less than Adolf Hitler himself! :eek: The movie is generally regarded as being far superior and adult to the TV show (which is still a very faithful adaptation), but sadly was not included in BCI's set of the series.

The Bravestarr movie was made for similar reasons; in order to sell the following series. With the success of He-Man and She-Ra by that point, Filmation were able to pump all their resources into this film, and this movie, entitled Bravestarr: The Legend, is generally regarded as Filmation's best-looking production. Again, their usual over-reliance on stock animation was drastically toned down for the movie, and they made the most use of their best animators. For some reason however, this film too, ended up being released after the debut of the TV series.

Together, the Flash Gordon and Bravestar movies represent Filmation at its best; they never topped those two in terms of animation quality in any of their other productions!

[Chris Wood]

With Flash Gordon, Filmation actually originally wanted to do a live-action feature for TV, but found it beyond their budget range (hardly surprising!). The sold off the live-action rights but could still make a full-length animated feature, and did in the late 70s. At the time, it was a very-well crafted production, especially for Filmation, with very little of their patented stock animation sequences, etc.

They used a lot of rotoscoping for people and spaceships to create an ultra-smooth look to the animation. However, no one picked up the feature at the time, so Filmation re-edited some of the footage and turned it into a whole TV series, which made it to the air first in 1979. I believe the first four episodes of the TV series were mostly based on the film. The movie was eventually shown, but a few years later in 1982.

Unlike the TV series, the film established quite a few facts that were left somewhat vague in the TV show, such as the setting being 1939, and Ming the Merciless having an alliance with no less than Adolf Hitler himself! :eek: The movie is generally regarded as being far superior and adult to the TV show (which is still a very faithful adaptation), but sadly was not included in BCI's set of the series.

The Bravestarr movie was made for similar reasons; in order to sell the following series. With the success of He-Man and She-Ra by that point, Filmation were able to pump all their resources into this film, and this movie, entitled Bravestarr: The Legend, is generally regarded as Filmation's best-looking production. Again, their usual over-reliance on stock animation was drastically toned down for the movie, and they made the most use of their best animators. For some reason however, this film too, ended up being released after the debut of the TV series.

Together, the Flash Gordon and Bravestar movies represent Filmation at its best; they never topped those two in terms of animation quality in any of their other productions!

Thanks for all the cool background. You really know your stuff.

I recently watched a little of the Flash TV series, and it did seem to me that it was visually more impressive than the average Filmation production. It's too bad they left it out of the BCI set, though I may have to get that anyway.

Was the Bravestarr film for TV, or did it have a short theatrical run?

And are either of these films available these days? Maybe in the dark corner of the convention hall with the Star Wars Holiday Special bootlegs?

[Jon T]

Was the Bravestarr film for TV, or did it have a short theatrical run?

And are either of these films available these days? Maybe in the dark corner of the convention hall with the Star Wars Holiday Special bootlegs?

I believe the Bravestarr films was always meant to be a theatrical production (which would explain the better animation), although it premiered in theaters several months after the TV show first began syndication. BCI has said they are going to be releasing Bravestarr in its entirety starting this year with Bravestarr: The Legend.

The Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All movie sadly seems to be quite difficult to get a hold of though, especially as it wasn't included in the recent BCI DVD set.

[Chris Wood]

I believe the Bravestarr films was always meant to be a theatrical production (which would explain the better animation), although it premiered in theaters several months after the TV show first began syndication. BCI has said they are going to be releasing Bravestarr in its entirety starting this year with Bravestarr: The Legend.

Cool, I didn't know that had been announced already. Is BCI great or what? I wish we could give them recommendations on shows to release. M.A.S.K. for example.

[Justy]

Although the movie is highly Star Wars influenced and rather predictable, I still find the film entertaining. When you consider other domestic animated films of the time, the film holds up well.

I was fortunate enough to see this film during its 1985 theatrical run and the most notable thing was (and nobody has mentioned this as of yet) that it was released in 3-D and was the first one I saw that used clear 3-D glasses instead of the one red side/one blue side variety. As I remember, the effect was quite good. I have a copy on VHS I recorded off one of the cable movie channels some years ago.

[aalong64]

Ack, I meant to mention that it must've been more effective with the 3D, but I forgot.

[RoboDoobieDoo]

I saw this in 3D as well when it was originally released.

The 3D effect wasn't the best. Just kind of like looking in a viewmaster. At the time there were many 3D films released, but the best use of it was in "Friday the 13th Part 3D" which had ALOT of fantastic 3D effects. Why couldn't they make animation pop like that? I have no idea.

Back on topic, Starchaser was sort of a let down to me. Basically just a Star Wars rip off when the Star Wars hype was long gone.

[James]

The Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All movie sadly seems to be quite difficult to get a hold of though, especially as it wasn't included in the recent BCI DVD set.

It is a shame, given that despite being an awesome series, it does seriously lack a beginning without the events of TGAOA. Either way, and despite its more childish second season, Flash - to me - is Filmation's finest hour.

Yes, I loved Orin when I was about 10, and I've not seen it since. It was on Scifi in the Uk a year back and I missed it. Since then I've spotted the DVD on region one, but not quite at an import price I'm comfortable with. I loved that film when I first saw it and I'm glad I'm not going mad: there is nothing Filmation about it - very erroneous IMDB.

[Jon T]

It is a shame, given that despite being an awesome series, it does seriously lack a beginning without the events of TGAOA. Either way, and despite its more childish second season, Flash - to me - is Filmation's finest hour.

You can bet that as sure as prices for copies of rare TV shows go down once they hit DVD, that the prices for copies of the Flash Gordon animated movie shot up once it was confirmed not to be a part of the BCI DVD set!


Yes, I loved Orin when I was about 10, and I've not seen it since. It was on Scifi in the Uk a year back and I missed it. Since then I've spotted the DVD on region one, but not quite at an import price I'm comfortable with. I loved that film when I first saw it and I'm glad I'm not going mad: there is nothing Filmation about it - very erroneous IMDB.

I also first saw Starchaser on Sci Fi UK (actually a few years back when they actually showed nothing but respectable science fiction productions...;) ). I liked the film, although it was clearly yet another Star Wars derivative.

However, comparing that print to the one on DVD is like night and day. The Sci Fi print I watched was hideously washed out and cropped terribly from its original aspect ratio (as I recall picture was missing from the top and bottom as well as the sides!). I'm not sure if Sci Fi UK changed their print since (actually, I didn't even know they showed it more than once!), but I'd certainly recommend getting the DVD to see a vastly improved picture for the film.

[James]

You can bet that as sure as prices for copies of rare TV shows go down once they hit DVD, that the prices for copies of the Flash Gordon animated movie shot up once it was confirmed not to be a part of the BCI DVD set!

The old killer cowboy named "Supply And Demand", damn his soul.



I also first saw Starchaser on Sci Fi UK (actually a few years back when they actually showed nothing but respectable science fiction productions...;) ). I liked the film, although it was clearly yet another Star Wars derivative.


Oh definitely. The whole thing is as blatant as a stripper at Dumbo's birthday party. Still, I found the pace, story and visuals all very enjoyable even if they were jaw smackingly derivative of another film.



However, comparing that print to the one on DVD is like night and day. The Sci Fi print I watched was hideously washed out and cropped terribly from its original aspect ratio (as I recall picture was missing from the top and bottom as well as the sides!). I'm not sure if Sci Fi UK changed their print since (actually, I didn't even know they showed it more than once!), but I'd certainly recommend getting the DVD to see a vastly improved picture for the film.

It's close to the top of my DVD list, just below the Doctor Who: New Beginnings. Messa want bad. I'll take your advice on board and maybe even notch it up one.

[Chris Wood]

It is a shame, given that despite being an awesome series, it does seriously lack a beginning without the events of TGAOA. Either way, and despite its more childish second season, Flash - to me - is Filmation's finest hour.

Faint praise, but perhaps true. I do have a soft spot for Blackstar though, and the Batman/Superman series are highly amusing.

[Mcready]

Well other sites like All Movie Guide also says it was from Filmation since it is a U.S. and Korean production, and Lou Schiemer was uncredited as producer.

Yeh i remember the Flash Gordon animated movie, good one but here's my opinion of what the best movies they did.

Best Filmation movies:
Starchaser Legend of Orin.
Pinocchio and The Emperor of the Night.
Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of Them All.
He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword.
Oliver Twist.

Worst Filmation movies:
Happily Ever After. (Sadly this one killed the studios)
Journey Back to Oz.
A Snow White Christmas.

[Jon T]

Well other sites like All Movie Guide also says it was from Filmation since it is a U.S. and Korean production, and Lou Schiemer was uncredited as producer.

Of course, because Filmation was the only U.S. production house at the time! :D

Like I said earleir in the thread, Filmation had nothing to do with Starschaser. Since it was produced in the U.S. (as well as South Korea), there were a lot of people who worked on the film who did work at Filmation, most likely as freelancers.

If Starchaser had been a Filmation production, there's simply no way Lou Scheimer would not have had an on-screen credit of some kind. Plus, he did voices in just about every single Filmation production just to make up the cast numbers, and his easily-recognizable range of tones is nowhere to be heard in the film.

Granted, I too have noticed Filmation credited with producing Starchaser on some websites, like The Big Cartoon Database. I'm afraid all those sites are wrong, and are just copying information off each other. TBCD plagiarized quite a lot of material I had written for another site for example. It's just another case of misguided website contributors passing along erroneous information "because it was written somewhere else".

[Chris Wood]

Besides Filmation had enough trouble with 2D without adding another dimension. Although I'd love to see that shot of He-Man punching the screen in 3D.

[Prof Ultimate]

With Flash Gordon, Filmation actually originally wanted to do a live-action feature for TV, but found it beyond their budget range (hardly surprising!). The sold off the live-action rights but could still make a full-length animated feature, and did in the late 70s. At the time, it was a very-well crafted production, especially for Filmation, with very little of their patented stock animation sequences, etc.

They used a lot of rotoscoping for people and spaceships to create an ultra-smooth look to the animation. However, no one picked up the feature at the time, so Filmation re-edited some of the footage and turned it into a whole TV series, which made it to the air first in 1979. I believe the first four episodes of the TV series were mostly based on the film. The movie was eventually shown, but a few years later in 1982.


A few notes to add...the film was actually commissioned by NBC for television. Fred Silverman, then head of programming ordered it, but as you've mentined, Filmation couldn't afford to do it as a live action tv movie on the license fee NBC offered. So they sold live action rights to Dino DeLaurentis, and used that extra cash to finance the animated film. NBC liked what they saw so much, that they ordered the series. Silverman left the network, and new regime took over, and is wont to happen, most projects that were put thru under the old management got marginalized...The series wound up premiering 2 years before they aired the movie....:mad:
The arc to save Earth from Ming formed the basis of the first 4 episodes, retelling the events of the film slightly differently, with the fight against Ming, rallying other allies beyond Thun, Vultan, and Barin formed the rest of the episodes.
The movie wasn't included in the BCI box set because, IIRC, another company (whose name has never been mentioned) owns home video rights. :sad: Why they're sitting on it, in the wake of the series release is , in a word, nuts. :crying:



The Bravestarr movie was made for similar reasons; in order to sell the following series. With the success of He-Man and She-Ra by that point, Filmation were able to pump all their resources into this film, and this movie, entitled Bravestarr: The Legend, is generally regarded as Filmation's best-looking production. Again, their usual over-reliance on stock animation was drastically toned down for the movie, and they made the most use of their best animators. For some reason however, this film too, ended up being released after the debut of the TV series.

Together, the Flash Gordon and Bravestar movies represent Filmation at its best; they never topped those two in terms of animation quality in any of their other productions!I've heard about the BS movie, but never had the chance to see it.