The Black Cauldron Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Black Cauldron.
The Black Cauldron Ending Explained: Taran is an assistant pigkeeper with boyish dreams of becoming a great warrior. Directed by Ted Berman, this 1985 animation film stars Grant Bardsley (Taran (voice)), alongside Susan Sheridan as Eilonwy (voice), John Byner as Gurgi / Doli (voice), Nigel Hawthorne as Fflewddur Fflam (voice). With a 6.4/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Black Cauldron?
Taran is an assistant pigkeeper with boyish dreams of becoming a great warrior. However, he has to put the daydreaming aside when his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, is kidnapped by an evil lord known as the Horned King. The villain hopes Hen will show him the way to The Black Cauldron, which has the power to create a giant army of unstoppable soldiers.
Ted Berman's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Grant Bardsley (Taran (voice))'s journey. However, he has to put the daydreaming aside when his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, is kidnapped by an evil lord known as the Horned King.
How Does Grant Bardsley (Taran (voice))'s Story End?
- Grant Bardsley: Grant Bardsley's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Susan Sheridan (Eilonwy (voice)): Susan Sheridan's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- John Byner (Gurgi / Doli (voice)): John Byner's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Black Cauldron Mean?
The Black Cauldron's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Grant Bardsley may feel rushed. Ted Berman's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution. Based on 1,432 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.