| CUT SCENES |
| Meegosh Consoles Willow |
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This scene occurs just after Willow's magic act at the Nelwyn festival ends with
his failure to make the pig disappear for more than a couple of seconds. The sources
give varying accounts of what happens. In the more entertaining versions, Meegosh
attempts to cheer Willow up by prompting him to recite an anti-Burglekutt
rhyme which they obviously made up previously. According to the graphic novel, this
bit of childish fun is just between Willow and Meegosh. The novelization has Meegosh
shouting portions of it at Burglekutt, but this seems rather improbable. The consolation
scenes in the junior novelization and the early-draft script omit the poetry, but agree
with the graphic novel and the novelization on some other details.
Why was this scene cut? I suspect that the movie may flow better without it. This is a time when Willow is going from one disaster to another in rapid succession, and each one is worse than the one before it. First he blows his magic act, then he flunks the High Aldwin's apprentice test, then a death dog attacks the village. By the time he runs to check on the safety of Kiaya and Elora a lot of tension has built up, and the first-time viewer has no idea what Willow is going to find when he gets home. The poem would have been lots of fun for the audience, but this scene would have slowed things down and might have disrupted the dramatic buildup. |
| Late Script Excerpt |
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The pig is suddenly gone! Impressed, the crowd gasps. Then the pig squeals and dashes
out of a hidden pocket in the cloak, through
Willow's legs and leaps off the stage.
CROWD: Aaww! Booo! Sssss! Burglekutt and the Council shake their heads as Willow, embarassed, picks up his things. Meegosh trots up with the pig under his arm. MEEGOSH: Round the bend! WILLOW: Not now, Meegosh. We're too old for this. MEEGOSH: Come on... round the bend. WILLOW: Alright... Fat rear end... MEEGOSH: He's a donkey! WILLOW: I'm your friend... and I'm in trouble. MEEGOSH: That was excellent, Willow! A lot better than last year. You need a better pig, that's all. But as they walk past the Village Council, and Burglekutt sneers down at Willow, Meegosh catches on. MEEGOSH: Don't worry about Burglekutt. Once you're the High Alwin's apprentice, Burglekutt will grovel at your feet. Meegosh puts his arm around Willow. The two friends wander off into the crowd. EXT. NELWYN VILLAGE - DAY - LATER There's a flourish of horns and drums. The wise old HIGH ALDWIN is placed on a platform. |
| Graphic Novel Illustrations |
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| Novelization Excerpt |
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"Good show!" Meegosh said, clapping his friend on the back as Willow came off
the stage. "Much better than last year. Just needs a little...refining. Come on,
Willow, cheer up!"
"Quite a spectacle!" Burglekutt snorted. "Made a fool of yourself again, eh, Ufgood? Disappearing pig! The only thing you'll see disappear is your farm!" Laughing, he headed for the food tent. "Round the bend!" Meegosh grinned, poking Willow. "Meegosh, I don't feel like that just now. And besides, we're getting too old for..." "Round the bend!" "All right. Round the bend!" "Fat rear end!" Meegosh shouted after Burglekutt, cupping his hands. "He's a donkey..." "And I'm your friend!" The two old friends chuckled at their own childishness, and Willow immediately felt better. The children laughed with them, although Mims suddenly paused and lifted her head as if she had heard a faint sound from far away. The men moved off, not noticing her distraction, and soon she ran after them. "Never mind Burglekutt," Meegosh was saying. "When the High Aldwin picks you as his apprentice this afternoon, you won't have to worry about Burglekutt anymore, ever again." "I hope you're right." "Of course I'm right. Wait and see." |
| Junior Novelization Excerpt |
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Willow gathered up his magic props forlornly, his face red with embarassment, as the
crowd flowed away.
Meegosh climbed onto the stage, carrying the piglet. "That was excellent, Willow!" Meegosh said, trying to lift his friend's spirits. "A lot better than last year. You need a better pig, that's all." They began to walk through the festival together. As they passed the Village Council, Burglekutt sneered down at Willow. "Don't worry about Burglekutt," Meegosh said. "Once you're the High Aldwin's apprentice, Burglekutt will grovel at your feet." He put an arm around his friend as they wandered on into the crowd. Later in the day, Willow joined the two other would-be apprentice magicians as the High Aldwin mounted his platform. |