Bartok the Magnificent (Video 1999)

Russia is being terrorized by an evil witch known as Baba Yaga; the only one who is not afraid of her is Bartok the Magnificent. Bartok, an albino bat, has just arrived in Moscow and is ... See full summary »

Directors:

Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

Writer:

Jay Lacopo

Stars:

Hank Azaria, Kelsey Grammer, Andrea Martin

3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Hank Azaria	...	Bartok (voice)
Kelsey Grammer	...	Zozi (voice)
Andrea Martin	...	Baba Yaga (voice)
Catherine O'Hara	...	Ludmilla (voice)
Tim Curry	...	The Skull (voice)
Jennifer Tilly	...	Piloff (voice)
Phillip Van Dyke	...	Ivan (voice)
Diedrich Bader	...	Vol (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kelly Marie Berger	...	Little Girl (voice)
Zachary Charles	...	Little Boy (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Head Cossack (voice)
John Schiappa	...	(singing voice)
Glenn Shadix	...	Townspeople (voice)
French Stewart	...	Osle (voice)

Storyline

Russia is being terrorized by an evil witch known as Baba Yaga; the only one who is not afraid of her is Bartok the Magnificent. Bartok, an albino bat, has just arrived in Moscow and is impressing everyone with his performances, including Prince Ivan Romanov. However, one person is not impressed; Ludmilla finds Bartok annoying and naive. After Bartok's show, a violent bear suddenly attacks. Bartok must save everyone by stunning the bear with dust and then knocks him over and traps him in a wagon.

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Plot Keywords:

witch | bat | prince | spin off | riddle | 

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Genres:

Animation | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bartok le magnifique

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Andrea Martin, Hank Azaria, & Kelsey Grammer were the only actors who have previously done voice work for "Anastaia". Hank Azaria was the only one to have reprised his original role while the others portrayed different characters.

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Goofs

When Ludmilla is human, she has five fingers but when she turns into a dragon she only has four.

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Quotes

Piloff: Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Connections

Spun-off from Anastasia (1997)

User Reviews

Bartok originally seen in Anastasia goes on a quest against his natural inclinations to save the Russian Prince.

As an earlier commentator noted, "Bartok the Magnificent" is a prequel to "Anastasia". I guess animated bats live for a REALLY long time. But if you are going to quibble about dates then just what will you say about the existence of talking bears, musical witches and a huge animated riddle asking skull—just go with it. For all the sequential fuzziness, I find this film a real joy.

The voice talents of Kelsey Grammar as the Russian Dancing (and classical theater loving) bear Zozi is wonderful as are also Tim Curry's, as the Huge Talking Skul and Jennifer Tilly's role as Piloff. I have no idea what Piloff is, She looks life a living fur boa some women might wear around their necks. Whatever she is, Tilly's voice makes her seems gentle and funny (and a little ditsy but in an attractive kind of way) while also being impervious to whatever Bartok does to get her off the bolder (and a strange looking bolder it is too—looks more like a construction girder) as demanded by Baba Yaga. Indestructible gentle femininity is a good thing. Of course Bartok (voiced by Hank Azaria) is himself a hoot. Also Kelsey Grammar's voice in song is as full of life and warm as is his speaking voice. I love to listen to him even when he's the bad guy as in "Toy Story 2" as Stinky Pete. This film is one of the straight to video ones which should have been given a shot as a theatrical run. Both the video and the DVD comes with the songs separate with sing along lyrics--nice touch.