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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rackhir" data-source="post: 1251582" data-attributes="member: 149">The original book was written by Peter S. Beagle and is one of my all time favorite books. You should be able to find a copy at your local Borders/B&N. The movie has not been re-released on DVD in the US, but the video tape is still available. Here's a link.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6303047564/qid=1070496168/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-6667069-8935824?v=glance&s=video" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6303047564/qid=1070496168/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-6667069-8935824?v=glance&s=video</a>On E-bay you can find a region-0 DVD, but I doubt if this is actually a "legitimate" release. There are a number of "The Last Unicorn" items available on there. I HIGHLY recommend the soundtrack CD. The animated movie version was a terrific adaptation of the book. It has that classic Ranken-Bass look, which seemed to suit the story very well. Understandably it left out some of the minor plot events, but was extremely faithful to the book and as mentioned the songs by America were fantastic and really helped set the mood of the various scenes in the movie. There are few songs more melancholy than "Man's Road" and it perfectly suited the Unicorn as she searched for others of her kind and was finding nothing. The movie pretty much covers all the bases. It's funny as hell, extremely touching, very romantic, a supurb soundtrack and has some truly spine-tingling moments. The only real flaw in the movie are the one or two songs that are actually sung by the actors. Unfortunately, neither Jeff Bridges nor Mia Farrow are trained singers, but they do a tolerable job.Note: If you are sensitive, have plenty of tissues on hand. The end of the movie is heartbreaking.Warning mild Spoiler[PHP][COLOR=Black]My favorite little tidbit from book, that didn't make it into the movie is Shmendrick's origin. He's actually immortal, which is why he said in the movie "Whatever can die is beautiful -- more beautiful than a unicorn, who lives forever, and who is the most beautiful creature in the world. " Also it's why he was so excited at being able to summon "Robin Hood". He was gifted/cursed with immortality by his master. Who had come to the conclusion that Schmendrick was so monumentally incompetent at magic that Shmendrick had to possess the greatest powers of any wizard ever. So he made him immortal until he could finally unlock his powers. The end of the book has a great line about how he was finally able to unlock his powers that involves Prince Lyr.[/COLOR]The thought of a live action version makes me uneasy. Few Directors/Producers/Script Writers/Studio Execs/stagehands, can resist the urge to meddle and make changes in an attempt to justify their existance. Also the animated version so beautifully captured the feel and heart of the book, that I'm hard pressed to see how a live action version is going to improve things. I'd LOVE to be wrong like I was with LotR, but I'm afraid that the odds are heavily stacked against it.So to sum up. Watch the movie then read the book. You won't be disapointed.[/PHP]</blockquote>

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