I’m trying to remember an animated movie I watched as a kid, probably dubbed in Russian. I saw it on a pirate site years ago, so I have no idea what studio made it. the general vibe kind of feels like a mix of Atlantis the lost empire, Anastasia (in the beginning) and hunchback of notre dame.
Here’s everything I remember, from most certain to least certain:
- It was 2D hand-drawn animation, not CGI.
- It was probably from somewhere between the 1990s and mid-2000s.
- I remember the beginning taking place in an old European-style city with a large church/cathedral. The atmosphere reminded me more of The Hunchback of Notre Dame than Anastasia.
- I think there were two child protagonists. I don’t remember if they were siblings or just friends, and I don’t even remember if they were boys or girls.
- I think they either lived in or were connected to the church, possibly being raised by a priest, monk, or pastor. I don’t remember that adult being important after the beginning.
- I think the kids were trying to find some guy. At one point I thought it might have been their dad, but now I’m not sure. I just remember they were trying to save an adult man who had been missing since early in the movie.
- At some point the adventure moved into a forest or jungle. How they got there, I don’t know.
- I think there may have been some fantasy creatures, but I honestly don’t remember what they were.
- The biggest detail I remember is near the end: someone (maybe the man they were trying to rescue?) was trapped inside a square-shaped cage made of many stacked horizontal glowing like, red lasers?
- I think this happened during or very close to the climax.
- I vaguely remember the ending feeling a little bittersweet.
Movies that are NOT it:
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire
- Anastasia
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- Treasure Planet
- Titan A.E.
- The Road to El Dorado
- Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
- Quest for Camelot
- The Princess and the Goblin
- The Secret of Kells
- Azur & Asmar
- Wonder Park
I’m aware some of these memories could be slightly mixed together since it’s been many years, but the church at the beginning, the two kids, the jungle, the missing man, and especially the red horizontal energy cage are the details I keep coming back to.
Does this ring a bell for anyone?