Fantasy Films Fueled by Ambition

Description: Jen, a Gelfling, is driven by ambition to restore balance to his world by healing the Dark Crystal, a task that requires him to overcome numerous challenges and confront the evil Skeksis.

Fact: The film was a pioneering work in puppetry and animatronics, with Jim Henson and Frank Oz creating a fully realized fantasy world. It took over five years to complete.

Description: The last unicorn's ambition to find others of her kind leads her on a journey where she confronts her own mortality, battles a red bull, and learns about love and sacrifice.

Fact: The film features voice acting by Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, and Alan Arkin. The animation was done by Topcraft, a studio that later became Studio Ghibli.

Description: Bastian's ambition to escape his mundane life leads him into the magical world of Fantasia, where he must help save the Childlike Empress from the Nothing.

Fact: The film's iconic theme song was performed by Limahl, who was the lead singer of the band Kajagoogoo at the time. The movie was shot in Germany and Vancouver.

Description: Westley's ambition to rescue his true love, Buttercup, from the clutches of the evil Prince Humperdinck, takes him on a whimsical adventure filled with sword fights, giants, and true love.

Fact: The film was initially considered a box office disappointment but has since become a cult classic. The famous line "As you wish" was improvised by Cary Elwes.

Description: Willow Ufgood, a Nelwyn farmer, embarks on an ambitious quest to protect a special baby from an evil queen, leading him to become a hero in a world of magic and adventure.

Fact: George Lucas wrote the story, inspired by his own children's love for fairy tales. The film was originally intended to be a trilogy.

Description: Harry's ambition to find his place in the magical world and uncover the truth about his parents drives him through his first year at Hogwarts, leading to a confrontation with Voldemort.

Fact: The film's director, Chris Columbus, was initially hesitant to take on the project due to the pressure of adapting such a beloved book series. The Hogwarts Express was filmed on the real-life Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland.

Description: The Pevensie children's ambition to save Narnia from the White Witch's eternal winter propels them into a world of talking animals, mythical creatures, and epic battles.

Fact: The film was shot in New Zealand, the same location used for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The wardrobe used in the film was designed to be as close as possible to the one described in C.S. Lewis's book.

Description: Tristan's ambition to win the heart of his beloved leads him on a quest to capture a fallen star, which turns out to be a woman, sparking an adventure filled with magic, witches, and pirates.

Fact: The film was adapted from Neil Gaiman's novel, which was initially conceived as a story for his wife. The movie features a cameo by Gaiman himself.

Description: Dave Stutler's ambition to become a sorcerer like his mentor Balthazar Blake leads him into a world of magic, where he must stop an ancient evil from destroying the world.

Fact: The film was inspired by the segment from Disney's "Fantasia." The Tesla coil used in the movie was a real, functioning device.

Description: Bilbo Baggins, driven by his newfound ambition to prove himself, joins a quest to reclaim the treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. His journey is a testament to how ambition can transform an ordinary hobbit into a hero.

Fact: The film features the largest green screen set ever built for a movie. Benedict Cumberbatch, who voiced Smaug, also provided motion capture for the dragon.