Set in the mythical land of Prydain during the Early Middle Ages , the film centers on a wicked emperor known as the Horned King , who hopes to secure an ancient magical cauldron that will aid him in his desire to conquer the world.
He is opposed by young swineherder Taran , the young Princess Eilonwy , the harp-playing bard Fflewddur Fflam , and a friendly wild creature named Gurgi , who seek to destroy the cauldron to prevent the Horned King from ruling the world.
The film is directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich , who had directed Disney's previous animated film The Fox and the Hound , and was the first Disney animated film to be recorded in Dolby Stereo. Disney acquired the film rights to the books in with production beginning in to be set for a Christmas release. Several scenes, in particular the film's climax, were found to be disturbing to children during a test screening. The newly appointed Walt Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg ordered the scenes to be cut, which caused its release to be delayed to It was the first Disney animated film to receive a PG rating , as well as the first Disney animated film to feature computer-generated imagery.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Because of its commercial failure, Disney did not release the film on home media until It has since gained a cult following. In the land of Prydain, Taran , a teenage "assistant pig-keeper" on the farm of Caer Dallben, home of Dallben the Enchanter, dreams of becoming a famous warrior. Dallben learns that the evil Horned King is searching for a mystical relic known as the Black Cauldron, which can create an invincible army of undead warriors known as the Cauldron-Born.
Dallben fears that the Horned King might use his pig, Hen Wen, who has oracular powers , to locate the cauldron. He directs Taran to take Hen Wen to safety, but the pig is captured by Gwythaints, the Horned King's wyvern-like creatures.
