The Rise of Wizards: Bakshi’s Answer to Disney and Sci-Fi Domination

**The Complete Story of Wizards (1977): Ralph Bakshi’s Revolutionary Animated Fantasy**

The Birth of Wizards

By the mid-1970s, Ralph Bakshi had already established himself as an underground animation icon with Fritz the Cat (1972), Heavy Traffic (1973), and Coonskin (1975).

These films tackled mature, often controversial themes, but after facing pushback for Coonskin, Bakshi sought to create something different—an animated fantasy epic with mass appeal that still carried his signature subversive edge.

Bakshi had a deep love for fantasy and science fiction, and he saw animation as the perfect medium to bring his vision to life. Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, underground comics, pulp fantasy, and the works of Vaughn Bodē, he set out to craft a world where magic and technology clashed in a post-apocalyptic future.

He wrote the script for Wizards himself, envisioning a film that blended fairy tale elements with political and social commentary.

The Story: A War Between Magic and Technology

Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth ravaged by nuclear war, Wizards takes place millions of years after civilization's destruction.

The planet is now home to elves, fairies, and other magical creatures, living in harmony until the return of old threats. The film follows two brothers:

Avatar, a benevolent, wise-cracking wizard who embodies the power of magic.
Blackwolf, his evil twin, who embraces technology, war, and fascist propaganda.

Blackwolf discovers old Nazi propaganda films and uses them to brainwash his mutant army, preparing to conquer the world. Avatar, joined by warrior elf Weehawk, half-fairy princess Elinore, and the conflicted assassin robot Necron 99 (later renamed "Peace"), embarks on a journey to stop his brother. The film culminates in a climactic showdown where Avatar, instead of using magic, pulls a pistol and shoots Blackwolf, ending his reign of terror in a moment of dark irony.

The film’s use of Nazi imagery was a stark and deliberate choice—Bakshi wanted to depict how propaganda and militarism could be resurrected and weaponized. This blend of fantasy and real-world history gave Wizards a unique thematic weight rarely seen in animated films.

The Animation: A Bold and Experimental Approach

Bakshi’s budget for Wizards was only around $1.2 million, a fraction of what Disney spent on animated features. To work around this limitation, he employed several unconventional techniques:

Traditional hand-drawn animation for key characters and sequences.
Rotoscoping, where live-action footage was traced over to create realistic movement, was used for large battle scenes. Much of this footage came from public domain films, including Alexander Nevsky and El Cid, as well as Bakshi’s own live-action shoots.
Multi-layered backgrounds, often blending painted landscapes with stylized characters, gave the film a surreal, dreamlike quality.
Limited animation was used strategically, sometimes keeping characters mostly still while moving the background to create an illusion of motion.

This mix of traditional animation, rotoscoping, and stylized backdrops resulted in a distinctive look that stood apart from the clean, polished animation of Disney.

The Legacy: A Cult Classic That Influenced Generations

When Wizards was released on May 25, 1977, it went head-to-head with a little film called Star Wars. Unsurprisingly, George Lucas’ sci-fi epic dominated the box office, overshadowing Wizards. However, Bakshi’s film still found an audience, becoming a sleeper hit and earning a dedicated cult following over time.

Its impact on animation and fantasy storytelling is undeniable:

It paved the way for mature animated films. While Heavy Metal (1981) would later take this to another level, Wizards proved that animation could explore darker, more complex themes outside of children’s entertainment.

It influenced fantasy aesthetics in animation and gaming. The blend of magic, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and heavy industrial themes inspired artists in video games, comics, and animated series.

It inspired Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings adaptation. Bakshi’s later Lord of the Rings (1978) directly influenced Jackson, but Wizards also showcased a gritty, serious approach to fantasy that resonated with future filmmakers.

It was a precursor to cyberpunk and dystopian fantasy. The themes of technology corrupting society foreshadowed works like Akira (1988) and The Matrix (1999).

What Bakshi Did That No One Else Had Done

He made animation for adults without relying on comedy. Unlike Disney or Warner Bros., which dominated animation with family-friendly fare, Bakshi proved that animated films could tell serious, provocative, and political stories.

He merged fantasy with real-world history. The Nazi propaganda element was shocking yet effective, making the film’s themes timeless.

He championed independent animation. At a time when big studios controlled the industry, Bakshi showed that a visionary director could still make ambitious, original animated films on a small budget.

The Sequel That Never Was

In the 2000s, Bakshi expressed interest in making a Wizards 2, even drafting concept art. However, funding never materialized, and the project remained unmade.

Interesting Facts

Wizards was originally titled War Wizards, but George Lucas asked Bakshi to change it because Star Wars was about to be released, and he wanted to avoid confusion.

The film’s narrator, Susan Tyrrell, recorded her entire narration in a single take.

The final battle between Avatar and Blackwolf is famously anti-climactic—Bakshi wanted to subvert the expectation of a magical duel with an unexpected, almost comedic resolution.

The character Peace (formerly Necron 99) was meant to symbolize redemption—he starts as a tool of destruction but chooses a path of peace and freedom.

Conclusion: The Lasting Magic of Wizards

Though it never reached mainstream blockbuster status, Wizards remains one of the most unique and daring animated films ever made. It blended fairy tale fantasy with heavy socio-political themes, used experimental animation techniques, and proved that adult animation could be more than just crude humor.

Ralph Bakshi’s vision for Wizards was ahead of its time, and its legacy continues to inspire animators, storytellers, and fantasy enthusiasts to this day.