The Return of the King (1980)
The classic Rankin/Bass animated musical that brings Tolkien's epic finale to life with beloved voice talent and unforgettable songs.
The Return of the King - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Return of the King
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 11, 1980 (Portugal)
- Alternative Titles: Povratak kralja (RS), The Lord of the Rings Return of the King Animated (CA), El retorno del rey (ES), Возвращение короля (RU), O Retorno do Rei (BR), Yüzüklerin Efendisi: Kralın Dönüşü (TR), O Retorno do Rei (PT)
- Production Companies: Rankin/Bass Productions, Topcraft
- Production Countries: United States of America, Japan
The Return of the King - Plot
Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.
The Return of the King - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Middle-earth's animated adventure unfold:
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The Return of the King - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Arthur Rankin, Jr.
- Jules Bass
Main Cast
- Orson Bean
- Roddy McDowall
- John Huston
- Theodore Gottlieb
- Casey Kasem
- Sonny Melendrez
- Theodore Bikel
- William Conrad
- Don Messick
- Paul Frees
Writers
- Romeo Muller
Producers
- Jules Bass
- Masaki Îzuka
The Return of the King - FAQs
Is The Return of the King based on a book?
Yes, it's adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel The Return of the King, the third volume of The Lord of the Rings. The screenplay was written by Romeo Muller, who condensed the epic story into a 98-minute animated musical for television audiences.
Who are the voice actors in The Return of the King?
The cast features Orson Bean as Frodo and Bilbo, Roddy McDowall as Samwise, John Huston as Gandalf, Theodore Gottlieb as Gollum, Casey Kasem as Merry, Theodore Bikel as Aragorn, and William Conrad as Lord Denethor, among others.
What songs are featured in The Return of the King?
The film is a musical with original songs composed by Maury Laws and lyrics by Jules Bass. The most memorable is "Where There's a Whip, There's a Way," sung by Orc slave drivers, which became an unexpectedly catchy fan favorite despite its dark subject matter.
How does this film connect to the 1978 Rankin/Bass Hobbit?
The Return of the King is a direct follow-up to the 1977 Rankin/Bass animated special The Hobbit, sharing the same visual style, production team, and several voice actors. It serves as a companion piece, though it skips The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers entirely.
What is The Return of the King about?
Frodo and Sam press on toward Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, guided — and occasionally misled — by the treacherous Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Gandalf, and their allies face Sauron's overwhelming armies in a desperate last stand for Middle-earth's freedom.
When was The Return of the King released?
The Return of the King originally aired as a TV special on May 11, 1980, in the United States. It was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions in collaboration with Japanese animation studio Topcraft, the same team behind the 1977 Hobbit special.
Who directed The Return of the King animated film?
The film was co-directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, the legendary duo behind Rankin/Bass Productions. The pair were well known for their holiday specials and animated features, bringing a distinctive musical and hand-drawn style to Tolkien's world.
What are similar films to The Return of the King?
If you enjoy this film, you might also like The Flight of Dragons (1982), another Rankin/Bass fantasy adventure, as well as The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024) and The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily (2019) for more animated fantasy storytelling.
More About The Return of the King
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