Willow: The Making of an Adventure (1988)

Willow: The Making of an Adventure Poster

A behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the film Willow (1988). Included are interviews with cast and crew and scenes of the actual filming of the production itself.

Summary of "Willow: The Making From an Experience"
"Willow: The Making of an Experience" is a behind-the-scenes documentary that supplies an in-depth look into the development of the 1988 high-fantasy film "Willow", directed by Ron Howard and produced by George Lucas. The movie follows the journey of Willow Ufgood, a dwarf farmer and aspiring sorcerer, who embarks on a quest to safeguard an unique baby from a wicked queen. The documentary highlights the challenges and triumphs of bringing this ingenious and ambitious job to life.

Pre-Production and Conceptualization
The documentary opens by showcasing the extensive pre-production stage of "Willow". It highlights the partnership between George Lucas, who conceived the story, and Ron Howard, who brought his directorial vision to the movie. The procedure included substantial storyboarding and conceptual art, which helped in picturing the dream world that Lucas had envisioned. The documentary highlights the importance of the design aspects, from the costumes to the set pieces, and how they contributed to creating a believable and immersive environment for the story.

Cast and Character Development
A significant portion of "Willow: The Making of an Adventure" is dedicated to the casting procedure, consisting of the choice of Warwick Davis for the titular function of Willow Ufgood. Davis, who was just 17 years of ages at the time of recording, was selected for his skill and his physicality, which were essential for portraying the character. The documentary likewise covers the casting of other essential roles, such as Val Kilmer as the roguish swordsman Madmartigan and Joanne Whalley as the warrior Sorsha. Interviews with the cast members offer insight into their experiences and the difficulties they faced while embodying their particular characters.

Unique Effects and Action Sequences
"Willow" was groundbreaking for its usage of unique impacts, especially the early usage of digital changing innovation. "Willow: The Making of an Adventure" delves into the technical elements of these impacts, which were groundbreaking at the time. Unique effects wizards from Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm's impacts department, talk about the complex process of transforming a human actor into an animal on screen, a strategy that was considered revolutionary. The documentary likewise takes the audience behind the scenes of the movie's intricate action sequences, including sword fights, fight scenes, and high-speed chases after.

Difficulties and Problem-Solving
Filmmaking is a procedure filled with obstacles, and "Willow" was no exception. The documentary addresses numerous difficulties the crew come across throughout production, such as unpredictable weather, logistical obstacles, and the sheer scale of the shoot. It shows the analytical needed to keep such a large-scale fantasy production on track, from shooting on place in varied surfaces to handling a big and diverse cast.

Legacy and Impact
"Willow: The Making of an Adventure" concludes by reflecting on the tradition of "Willow" and its impact on the fantasy category. While the movie got mixed evaluations upon its initial release, the documentary reveals how "Willow" has given that acquired a dedicated fan base and is valued for its development in storytelling and unique impacts. The contributions of "Willow" to the fantasy genre and the movie market as a whole are acknowledged, with the acknowledgment of setting a precedent for future dream legendaries.

In summary, "Willow: The Making of an Adventure" uses a thorough and fascinating glimpse at the efforts associated with producing the fantasy world of "Willow". Through interviews, behind-the-scenes video, and expeditions of technical accomplishments, the documentary not just commemorates the art of filmmaking but also functions as a time capsule for one of the '80s most daring cinematic adventures.

Top Cast

  • Don LaFontaine (small)
    Don LaFontaine
    Narrator (voice) (as Don La Fontaine)
  • Ron Howard (small)
    Ron Howard
    Self - Director
  • George Lucas (small)
    George Lucas
    Self - Executive Producer
  • Warwick Davis (small)
    Warwick Davis
    Self - 'Willow'
  • Val Kilmer (small)
    Val Kilmer
    Self / Madmartigan
  • Rick Overton (small)
    Rick Overton
    Franjean
  • Kevin Pollak (small)
    Kevin Pollak
    Rool
  • Joanne Whalley (small)
    Joanne Whalley
    Self - 'Sorsha'
  • Jeremy Zimmermann
    Self - Casting Director (as Jeremy Zimmerman)
  • Nick Dudman
    Self - Make-Up / Creature Designer
  • Nigel Wooll
    Self - Producer