"Gargoyles" (1994) TV series 1994-1996

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Creator:

Greg Weisman

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

24 October 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Crime | Family | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

One thousand years ago superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was the age of gargoyles.

Plot:

A clan of heroic night creatures pledge to protect modern New York City as they did in Scotland long ago

Plot Keywords:

Castle | Gargoyle | New York City | Magic | Detective

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Keith David	...	Goliath / ... (74 episodes, 1994-1996)
Salli Richardson-Whitfield	...	Elisa Maza / ... (71 episodes, 1994-1996)
Jeff Bennett	...	Brooklyn / ... (58 episodes, 1994-1996)
Edward Asner	...	Hudson / ... (49 episodes, 1994-1996)
Frank Welker	...	Bronx / ... (49 episodes, 1994-1996)
Thom Adcox-Hernandez	...	Lexington / ... (48 episodes, 1994-1996)
Bill Fagerbakke	...	Broadway / ... (48 episodes, 1994-1996)
Jonathan Frakes	...	David Xanatos / ... (43 episodes, 1994-1996)
Brigitte Bako	...	Angela (38 episodes, 1995-1996)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (78 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) (DVD release) | USA:TV-PG | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Buena Vista Television

Trivia:

Many of the characters names are very symbolic. For example: Fox's parents last name is Reynard, as in 'Reynard the Fox'. Most obvious however are probably the shows main character and villain: Goliath and David Xanatos, as in 'David and Goliath'.

Goofs:

Continuity: Throughout the series, the Gargoyles (including Demona) frequently forget that Demona can only die by MacBeth's hand.

Quotes:

Goliath: One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness, it was a world of fear, it was the age of Gargoyles. Stone by day, warriors by night, we were betrayed by the humans we had sworn to protect, frozen in stone by a magic spell for a thousand years. Now, here in Manhattan, the spell is broken and we live again! We are defenders of the night, we are Gargoyles!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Rise of the Gargoyles (2009) (TV)

Awesome!!

Having lived in the New York metropolitan area my entire life, Gargoyles was even more fun to watch since many of the landmarkings were places I've hung out at) The animation in itself is mindblowing. The sights and sounds of the show are true to life of Manhattan, even if you've never been there, it makes you feel like you're there.

The storylines were great. Mythology, elves, sorcery, and modern day New York, London, Japan, and Scotland (and even gay Paris!) come together to form a wonderful series that would have made Walt Disney proud. While many former Disney creations had very obvious morals (and quite a few "And they lived happily ever afters ..."), Gargoyles is the first to show a distinctiveness I've never seen, from Disney or otherwise. The emotions are real, the stories realistic (as far as you can see realistic about elves, anyway), and storylines reappear again and again. The animation and the gargoyles draw the kiddies, while the history, mythology, and more mature storylines will definitely keep the adults glued to the TV.

The show gives lessons on gun control, dealing with blindness, death, family, love, and life, without the artificial and often unrealistic way of going about it (examples including Cinderella, Barney, and lots of other shows and movies I can mention). It's not just for kids. Disney has done for Gargoyles what Warner Bros. did for the Batman Animated Series. I could watch this show with my grandmother (who doesn't like ANYTHING made after 1960) and she enjoyed it thoroughly and is now a die-hard fan. Watch it with your kids.

Sad to see the show having been canceled though. Maybe if enough people email Disney or write letters, it can be brought back. If you have the time, write an email to Disney and tell how much you love the show. Gargoyles live.