Ralph Bakshi
Biography: Ralph Bakshi (born October 29, 1938) is an American director of animated and live-action films. In the 1970s, he established an alternative to mainstream animation through independent and adult-oriented productions. Between 1972 and 1992, he directed nine theatrically released feature films, five of which he wrote. He has been involved in numerous television projects as director, writer, producer and animator. Beginning his career at the Terrytoons television cartoon studio as a cel polisher, Bakshi was eventually promoted to director. He moved to the animation division of Paramount Pictures in 1967 and started his own studio, Bakshi Productions, in 1968. Through producer Steve Krantz, Bakshi made his debut feature film, Fritz the Cat, released in 1972. It was the first animated film to receive an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, and the most successful independent animated feature of all time. Over the next eleven years, Bakshi directed seven additional animated features. He is well known for his fantasy films, which include Wizards (1977), The Lord of the Rings (1978) and Fire and Ice (1983). In 1987, Bakshi returned to television work, producing the series Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, which ran for two years before it was canceled due to complaints from a conservative political group over perceived drug references. After a nine-year hiatus from feature films, he directed Cool World (1992), which was largely rewritten during production and received poor reviews. Bakshi returned to television with the live-action film Cool and the Crazy (1994) and the anthology series Spicy City (1997). He founded the Bakshi School of Animation and Cartooning in 2003. During the 2000s, he has focused largely on painting. He has received several awards for his work, including the 1980 Golden Gryphon for The Lord of the Rings at the Giffoni Film Festival, the 1988 Annie Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Art of Animation, and the 2003 Maverick Tribute Award at the Cinequest Film Festival. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ralph Bakshi, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: October 29, 1938
Deathday: N/A
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Known For
Frazetta: Painting with Fire
2003-05-08
Frazetta: Painting with Fire
Overview: A documentary on the life of painter Frank Frazetta, who revolutionized science fiction, fantasy and comic art with breathtaking realistic paintings of fantastic heroes, most famously Conan the Barbarian.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2003-05-08
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Adventures in Plymptoons!
2011-05-30
Adventures in Plymptoons!
Overview: A documentary film about Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton. This is a portrait piece that includes interviews with family, friends, colleagues, critics, and fans.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-05-30
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American Pop
1981-02-13
American Pop
Overview: The history of American popular music runs parallel with the history of a Russian Jewish immigrant family, with each male descendant possessing different musical abilities.
Genres: Animation Music Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-02-13
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Midwest
2023-10-12
Midwest
Overview: A new Bakshi joint. A poem about the American Midwest. One from a series of new work by Ralph and his grandson, Miles Bakshi.
Genres: Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-10-12
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Forging Through the Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for 'The Lord of the Rings'
2010-04-10
Forging Through the Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for 'The Lord of the Rings'
Overview: A deep look at how Ralph Bakshi made his version of Lord of the Rings (1978). With Ralph Bakshi, Victoria Bakshi-Yudis, Chris Conkling, Timothy Galfas, Scott Kleinman, & Tom Tataranowicz.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-04-10
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Heavy Traffic
1973-08-08
Heavy Traffic
Overview: An "underground" cartoonist contends with life in the inner city, where various unsavory characters serve as inspiration for his artwork.
Genres: Animation Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-08-08
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Breaking the Mold: The Re-Making of Mighty Mouse
2010-01-05
Breaking the Mold: The Re-Making of Mighty Mouse
Overview: Documentary about Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-01-05
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Malcom and Melvin
1997-11-28
Malcom and Melvin
Overview: Melvin is an alienated loser until he meets Malcom, a trumpeter cockroach who has a huge talent.
Genres: Animation Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-11-28
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Babe, He Calls Me
1997-11-28
Babe, He Calls Me
Overview: Melvin's saga continues as his partnership with Malcom is compromised by an urban superhero's intrusion. Meanwhile, Melvin's mother aids a criminal after being unable to meet with her son.
Genres: Animation Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-11-28
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Fritz the Cat
1972-04-12
Fritz the Cat
Overview: A swinging, hypocritical college student cat raises hell in a satirical vision of the 1960s.
Genres: Animation Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-04-12
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Wizards
1977-02-09
Wizards
Overview: After the death of his mother, the evil mutant wizard Blackwolf discovers some long-lost military technologies. Full of ego and ambition, Blackwolf claims his mother's throne, assembles an army and sets out to brainwash and conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Blackwolf's gentle twin brother, the bearded and sage Avatar, calls upon his own magical abilities to foil Blackwolf's plans for world domination -- even if it means destroying his own flesh and blood.
Genres: Animation Fantasy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-02-09
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Wizards
1977-02-09
Wizards
Overview: After the death of his mother, the evil mutant wizard Blackwolf discovers some long-lost military technologies. Full of ego and ambition, Blackwolf claims his mother's throne, assembles an army and sets out to brainwash and conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Blackwolf's gentle twin brother, the bearded and sage Avatar, calls upon his own magical abilities to foil Blackwolf's plans for world domination -- even if it means destroying his own flesh and blood.
Genres: Animation Fantasy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-02-09
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Coonskin
1975-08-20
Coonskin
Overview: Brother Rabbit, Brother Bear, and Preacher Fox rise to the top of the crime ranks in Harlem by going up against a con-man, a racist cop, and the Mafia.
Genres: Drama Animation Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-08-20
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