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Well, it’s that time again: 80s family film funtime! Today we are looking at 1988’s Willow, starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer, directed by Ron Howard with a story by George Lucas. But first, let’s set the scene.

It is a time of dread. Seers have foretold the birth of a child who will bring about the downfall of the powerful Queen Bavmorda. Seizing all pregnant women in the realm, the evil Queen vows to destroy the child when it is born.

Prologue, Willow

Whatever you think of this film, it is undoubtedly full of feminist commentary, a subversion of popular fantasy tropes and an exploration of what it means to be a chosen one. We look at the matriarchal power structure of Willow’s world, female violence, bad mothers, and whether the titular character’s story is a coming of age tale or a midlife crisis…

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Princess Bride
• The Dark Crystal
• Labyrinth
• Treasure Island
• Star Wars
• The Last Unicorn
• The Neverending Story
• Strange Magic (George Lucas)
• Buffy
• The Belgariad by David Eddings
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
• The Vagrant by Peter Newman
• The Spellslinger series by Sebastien de Castell
• Othello by William Shakespeare
• Willow: Subliminal Feminist Masterpiece