In hopes of uniting their kingdoms, widowed parents King William & Queen Uberta decide to have their kids, William's daughter Princess Odette and Uberta's son Prince Derek spend their childhood together in hopes that romance will blossom between the two and lead to marriage. As children and as adolescents, Derek & Odette can't stand each other, but they manage to fall in love with each other as they grow up. Unfortunately, just when it looks like their relationship is about to take off, Derek unintentionally offends Odette, who then refuses to marry him unless he can prove he loves her for who she is and not just her looks (sounds reasonable enough). Things get even worse when Lord Rothbart, an old enemy of King William's, shows up looking for revenge, kidnaps Odette and places a spell on her that turns her into a swan during the day and can only be restored to her human form when the moonlight hits the lake. Against all odds, Derek tries to free her anyway he can - the easiest way being to make a vow of love for all to see. Of course, it can never be that simple and it never is...
The last film done in the traditional hand drawn animation, this is a flawed but noble/heroic effort. The animation is quite good, the songs are decent, and the characters likable (though Odette is not given much to do). Might play better for the kids than for older audiences, but the fairy tale plot is a classic device.
The last film done in the traditional hand drawn animation, this is a flawed but noble/heroic effort. The animation is quite good, the songs are decent, and the characters likable (though Odette is not given much to do). Might play better for the kids than for older audiences, but the fairy tale plot is a classic device.