The Flight of Dragons

Magic and science collide in a realm under threat from a world ruled by logic. The green wizard Carolinus vows to shield the magical domain forever, but the red sorcerer Ommadon presses on with dark plans. To defend his world, Carolinus summons a champion who embodies both science and wonder, a man named Peter Dickinson. Peter volunteers to lead a quest that tests courage, curiosity, and belief, racing against time and fear. Along the way he encounters dragons, wizards, and strange alchemical puzzles, all while trying to prove that reason and imagination can cooperate rather than conquer. The fate of magic hangs in the balance. Beyond the initial quest, Peter discovers that ancient diagrams and creatures respond to careful inquiry rather than force. He learns to question assumptions without abandoning wonder, realizing that science and magic can illuminate different sides of the same truth.

Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr, this Rankin/Bass feature adapts an idea from Peter Dickinson and Gordon R Dickson with a screenplay by Romeo Muller. The film, released in 1982, features voices by John Ritter and Harry Morgan.

Box office data for The Flight of Dragons is not widely reported, reflecting a modest theatrical run and a later cult following rather than blockbuster status. Its enduring appeal is mainly among animation fans and vintage fantasy collectors.

Among Rankin/Bass enthusiasts the film is remembered for blending fantasy with science and for its distinctive dragon visuals. It stands as an early example of animated cinema trying to reconcile myth and rational inquiry, leaving a small but lasting footprint.

Critics at the time noted the film's ambition and vivid imagery, while some found the pacing uneven and the voice work uneven. The core message invites audiences to see how curiosity and courage can bridge magic and reason.