We will remember this year for many things, including being the zodiac year of the dragon! What better way to draw attention to this topic than by discussing the history of dragons in the film industry? Like the zodiac description, the dragon can represent many things in reality and film, as dragons have many symbols and meanings in culture and pop culture in many ways. So, let’s explore this cave of history and see The Filming of the Dragon.

Evolution of Effects

There has been a very long history of dragons, how they were depicted in films, and the effects that made them. The very film appearance of a dragon was in the 1924 European film Die Nibelungen. The dragon was portrayed as a large puppet with limited mobility but had an impressive effect. The first animated dragon was a 1941 live-action/animated Disney film called The Reluctant Dragon, one of the first times a dragon was present in a character within a show/movie.

The first stop-motion animation depiction of a dragon was in 1958, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, one of many films animated by Ray Harryhausen, using clay models and other effects to bring the creature to life. Special effects depicting dragons in films utilized these practical effects for several years until 1996, which was marked by the time they made dragons using CGI in the well-known movie Dragon Heart. As special effects evolved, so have the many ways dragons appear on film.

Best of the Beast

We have seen many memorable dragons in the entertainment industry, so let’s consider who could be king. The dragon Dragonslayer, Vermithrax Pejorative, is remembered for the Go-Motion animation that brought him to life. Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon is iconic and lovable among kids and people who grew up with the series. King Ghidorah, the three-headed dragon reimagined for several years, is a favorite among kaiju fans. One of the most well-known dragons in pop culture is Smaug from The Hobbit series, a significant character in one of the most popular fantasy book series but a standout in the film adaptation.

Conclusion

Although dragons are a work of fiction, they hold a significant place in many entertainment media. From the verbal depiction of books to visual spectacles of shows and movies, they keep many people interested. For centuries, these fantasy creatures have been essential to many stories in books and films. So, let’s end this year of the dragon with one more roar and look onto the horizon for the future depiction of dragons.

https://theableshow.com/filming-of-the-dragon

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015175/?ref_=tt_mv_close

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051337

https://wellfixitinpost.com/vfx-eras-evolution-of-the-cgi-dragon/