Black Cauldron vs. Gummi Bears
VS.
Have you ever noticed the similarties between The Black Cauldron and The Gummi Bears? This page is here to prove that they are very MUCH alike!
The show,The Gummi Bears first aired in 1985. It is a show about a clan of Gummi Bears, who hide underground in their secret home. Humans dismiss Gummi Bears as "fairy tales", which is one reason why they hide. The show is basically a story of how a boy, Cavin, meets the Gummies and takes them out of hiding, that is, only to prevent evil. They still stay hidden from most human contact. There are six main Gummies: Cubbi, Sunni, Tummi, Gruffi, Grammi, and Zummi. Later in the series, Gusto Gummi was introduced. They protect the kingdom of Dunwyn, with King Gregor and his daughter, Princess Calla (who later befriends the Gummies) from the evil Duke Igthorn and his Ogres.
This is a very charming show, a favorite of mine when I was littler. But, when watching it, one cannot help notice that there are alot os similarities between The Gummi Bears and The Black Cauldron.
Let's take a look, shall we?
Don't they look alike???
Cavin is about the same age as Taran, he is a squire and dreams about becoming a knight. He also has a romantic interest in Princess Calla. Hmmmm....sounds familiar?
Cavin is also clumsy like Taran at times, but he is very resourceful. He is very courageous, and can't stand not helping someone when they're in trouble. He tries to ingratiate himself to the Princess, who likes him anyways (but he doesn't know that).
Cavin is also picked upon by Unwin, an older squire. I'm sure Taran would be in the same situation if there was an older boy figure around in the movie.
Princess Calla is too, about the same age as Eilonwy. She has blonde hair, but most often wears it in a braid. Calla is sweet and pleasant, unlike Eilonwy, who is very critical and sardonic. Calla has no magical powers like Eilonwy, although Calla is very skilled in swordfighting, jousting, and is a tip-notch archer (she did this behind her Father's back, for these are not lady-like activities in his opinion).
Calla is very brave, always helping the Gummies, her Father, or the Kingdom when they are in trouble, even if it means risking her life.
Calla sometimes dislikes her life: "Sometimes I hate being a Princess! I never have any fun! And I don't have any friends to play with! I'm just a prisoner in this old castle!". This is not much like Eilonwy, who doesn't mind being a Princess, as long as she doesn't have to wash her hair everyday, sew and make lady-like conversation.
They would be good friends if they met, wouldn't they?
Calla and Eilonwy have the same fun-loving and sweet nature.
Toadwart ( or more commonly known as Toadie ) is Duke Igthorn's right-hand orge. Toadie is not purely evil like Creeper, but more of a loyal servant, who wants his master to succeed. Toadie tries to be helpful, but his work rarely pleases Igthorn. Toadie is very smart and comes up with the funniest lines spoken in the show, unlike Creeper who isn't stupid, but he certainly isn't smart. Toadie helps command the Ogre army, like Creeper who commands The Horned King's goons. Toadie is also manhandled like creeper, but not as brutally.
Toadis and Creeper lookk alike too. They both wear small, roughly made clothes, both have green skin and large ears.
I don't think that Toadie and Creeper would like each other. Creeper would find Toadie as a sissy and Toadie would find Creeper revolting.
Poor Toadie, like Creeper, he is often mistreated by his master.