Gandahar

Gandahar

Year: 1987

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: French

Director: René Laloux

FantasyAnimationAdventure

In a distant future, the peaceful planet Gandahar—where poverty does not exist—faces a terrifying mystery: people on its remote frontiers are being turned to stone. A prophecy foretells a cycle of destruction and salvation a thousand years apart. Sylvain, an explorer, is sent to uncover the petrification source and avert disaster.

Gandahar (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Gandahar (1987) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a distant future the planet Gandahar basks in an almost utopian calm: abundance flows, poverty is a forgotten word, and the people live under a sky that seems forever bright. Yet this serenity is shattered by a bewildering mystery—on the far‑flung frontiers inhabitants are being turned to stone, as if the very earth itself is stealing their flesh. The phenomenon spreads like a silent omen, casting a cold shadow over a world that has known only peace.

An ancient prophecy whispers of a cycle that spans a thousand years, foretelling both destruction and salvation in equal measure. It is this lingering prediction that drives the Council of Women to act, and they turn to their most daring explorer. Sylvain Lanvère, youthful yet seasoned by the endless horizons of his home, is chosen to venture beyond the familiar valleys and seek the source of the petrifying curse. He carries with him a blend of curiosity, responsibility, and the weight of a people who have never before faced such an existential threat.

The film unfolds as a meditation on how a civilization confronts the unknown when its own history and future are intertwined. Gandahar’s luminous landscapes contrast with the eerie stillness of the stone‑bound victims, creating a mood that is simultaneously wondrous and unsettling. As Sylvain steps into the uncharted wilds, the audience is invited to share his sense of awe and dread, to wonder what ancient forces lie dormant beneath the planet’s surface, and to anticipate the delicate balance between discovery and disaster that will shape the fate of an entire world.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:53

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Philosophical Sci-Fi Movies with Heavy Themes like Gandahar

Surreal science fiction that explores the dark and unintended consequences of progress.If you liked the deep questions and surreal world of Gandahar, explore more movies like it. This list features science fiction stories that grapple with the ethical consequences of technology, genetic engineering, and humanity's legacy, delivering a thoughtful and often dark viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

These stories often begin with a seemingly utopian society or advanced science that is revealed to have a dark, hidden flaw. A protagonist uncovers a terrible truth about their world's origins, leading to a morally complex journey where the line between creator and destroyer, savior and monster, becomes blurred.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared use of science fiction as a vehicle for profound philosophical inquiry, combined with a dark, surreal aesthetic and a serious, heavy emotional tone. They create a cohesive experience of thought-provoking unease.

Sci-Fi Movies About Time Loops and Bittersweet Endings like Gandahar

Epic stories where the past and future collide in a bittersweet loop of destruction and rebirth.For viewers who enjoyed the time-spanning prophecy and complex resolution of Gandahar, this collection features similar movies. Discover stories where characters grapple with cyclical destinies, time travel consequences, and endings that are hopeful yet tempered by loss or inevitability.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves the discovery of a prophecy or a temporal anomaly that suggests events are destined to repeat. The central conflict is often against a threat that is intrinsically linked to the heroes' own history, forcing them to make difficult choices that ensure survival but cannot erase the scars of the cycle.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of cyclical time and the specific emotional tone of a bittersweet ending. They blend high-stakes, epic plots with a melancholic undercurrent, creating a distinct vibe of resolving a crisis while acknowledging a deeper, unchangeable tragedy.

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Gandahar Summary

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Gandahar Summary

Gandahar Timeline

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Gandahar Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gandahar

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Gandahar

More About Gandahar

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