The Last Unicorn was released in 1982 , grossing only 6 million dollars on a 3.5 million dollar budget. Although it was a commercial failure, reviews were still quite positive, and the movie has developed a small cult following over the years. The movie is known for its dark and mystical themes.
Based on the book of the same name, The Last Unicorn follows a Unicorn (Mia Farrow) who discovers she may be the last of her kind. Instructed by a beatnik butterfly, she sets out to find others said to be kept by King Haggard. On the way, she is captured by the witch Mommy Fortuna (Angela Lansbury) and later freed by Schmendrick, a reluctant wizard (Alan Arkin), who joins her journey. Along the way, they’re joined by Molly (Tammy Grimes), who is captivated by the unicorn’s beauty. To protect her from the Red Bull, Schmendrick transforms her into a woman, Lady Amalthea. When they reach King Haggard’s (Christopher Lee) castle, Lady Amalthea falls in love with Prince Lír (Jeff Bridges). Eventually, she returns to unicorn form, defeats the Red Bull by pushing him into the ocean where the unicorns have been trapped by King Haggard, and releases them back into the world, their stampeding destroying his castle.
One of the first things you’ll notice is how many characters are seemingly obsessed with their legacy. Their desperation to be remembered is what drives the plot- for example, the witch Mommy Fortuna. Mommy Fortuna has captured the two immortal creatures- the last unicorn and the harpy- to secure herself in their memory “ Oh she’ll kill me one day or another. But she will remember forever that *I* caught her, and *I* held her prisoner. So there’s my immortality, eh?”. Mommy Fortuna doesn’t fear physical death, she fears not being remembered.
King Lear is another example of this. He doesn’t have to worry about being remembered- by nature of being a king, his legacy is near infinite. What he’s concerned about is the pursuit of happiness. With everything at his fingertips, life has lost its purpose, and he believes the only thing that can bring him happiness is capturing every last one of the unicorns in the world “They fill me with joy. The first I felt it I thought I was going to die. I said to the Red Bull I must have them, all of them, all there are.., Each time I see the unicorns, my unicorns, it is like that morning in the woods and I am truly young, in spite of myself”. I would argue that the real reason King Lear wants to keep the unicorns captive is because he is afraid of death. He is unable to accept death, and therefore he seeks out youth.
Ultimately, the movie is a showcase of breath-taking artistry(by the now defunct Topcraft studio) and music (provided by the wickedly talented band, America). I would recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in other 80’s dark fantasy like the Dark Crystal and The Never-Ending Story. If you are interested in watching The Last Unicorn, it’s available for free on Tubi and Philo.
