Bartok the Magnificent

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Bartok the Magnificent is a direct-to-video spin-off to the 1997 film Anastasia, which features Hank Azaria as the voice of Bartok. This film was released on VHS and DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 1999, and was re-released in 2005 along with Anastasia in the Family Fun Edition DVD pack. Although the film was released after Anastasia, the events in the film take place before those of its predecessor, chronicling Bartok's adventures before he became Rasputin's sidekick. While many of Don Bluth's films have received sequels and spin-offs, this is the only spin-off Don Bluth has directed.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Russia is being terrorized by evil witch Baba Yaga; the only one who is not afraid of her is Bartok the Magnificent. Bartok, an albino bat, has just arrived in Moscow and is impressing everyone with his performances, including Prince Ivan Romanov. However, one person is not impressed; Ludmilla finds Bartok annoying and naive. After Bartok's show, a violent bear suddenly attacks. Bartok saves everyone by stunning the bear with dust and then knocks him over and traps him into a wagon.

Delighted with Bartok's bravery, he is awarded gold from everyone around him and a royal ring from Prince Ivan, much to the displeasure of Ludmilla, who reminds him that the ring is only for members of the Romanov family, not commoners. She asks that he take the ring back, but Ivan disagrees, saying it is time for a change. Ludmilla, seeing that she cannot dissuade him, reluctantly allows it and they leave.

Ludmilla is still upset that Ivan has given a ring to a commoner, especially since it was a street performer, and believes it will encourage them. Ivan retorts that that was his intention and Vol, Ivan's friend, agrees that Bartok was funny. Ludmilla, on the other hand, believes that Ivan needs to respect his duty to the crown, which incites Ivan, who is tired of listening to her, to say that he will do as he pleases and it is she who must respect the crown.

Meanwhile, Bartok is counting the money he received when the bear wakes up and scares him. It turns out Bartok's amazing rescue was just an act - the bear is Zozi, Bartok's partner in business. Zozi is apprehensive about Ivan's ring and agrees with Ludmilla, that the ring should be returned. Bartok stubbornly refuses to give it back since it was a gift.

Back in Moscow, Ivan is kidnapped by Baba Yaga, which leads to an immediate investigation. Ludmilla finds an iron tooth (from Baba Yaga, who has iron teeth) and informs the people what has transpired. When she asks for someone brave enough to rescue Prince Ivan, two children nominate Bartok.

Bartok and Zozi are on their way to St. Petersburg when Zozi spots the Cossacks coming after them. The pair become worried because they assume that Ludmilla wants Ivan's ring returned. Bartok tries to conceal his identity, but is brought before the people, who explain that Ivan has been taken by Baba Yaga and they are relying on him to rescue their prince. Bartok reluctantly accepts and he and Zozi head to the Iron Forest to confront Baba Yaga and save Prince Ivan.

They find Baba Yaga's hut, but must answer a riddle to enter. When the riddle is answered, Baba Yaga successfully springs a trap on Bartok and explains that to save Ivan, Bartok must gather three items from the forest: Piloff, Oblie's Crown, and the Magic Feather. He gathers the objects demanded, but Baba Yaga still needs something from Bartok himself. He offers everything he can think of, including a hair from his own head, but Baba Yaga rejects everything and bursts out laughing. Bartok, outraged, begins to yell and upsets Baba Yaga. After he talks to her, he starts crying and Baba gets the most important ingredient: tears which are from Bartok's heart. She makes a magic potion from the items she had Bartok collect and reveals that Prince Ivan is in the tower.

Bartok and Zozi return to town and lead Ludmilla and Vol up to the top of the tower where Ivan is imprisoned. However, when they arrive, Ludmilla locks Bartok and Vol up with Ivan and reveals she used Vol as part of her scheme to take the Russian throne. She steals Bartok's magic potion and leaves Bartok, Ivan, and Vol in a room filling with water.

The potion backfires on Ludmilla, turning her into a dragon, and she begins to destroy Russia. Bartok escapes thanks to Zozi, who then saves Prince Ivan and Vol. Bartok battles Ludmilla and, after defeating her, Zozi reveals that Bartok is a true hero, not because he stopped evil but Bartok showed Ludmilla compassion.

Bartok returns Ivan's ring and Baba Yaga appears, writing, "Bartok, The Magnificent" in the sky. Bartok and Piloff hug Baba Yaga and they leave waving goodbye to Bartok.