The Golden Mountain

The Golden Mountain is a 1984 animated adventure drama film directed by Don Bluth and released by United Artists and Lorimar Pictures. The film featured the voices of Carl Steven, Ami Foster, Dom Deluise, Roy Kinnear, Anne Ramsey, Pat Buttram, DeForest Kelley, and Jackie Vernon.

Synopsis
Bushy is a young coyote pup who is teased by all of the other coyotes in his pack both young and old alike, because of his unusually long and bushy tail from which he gets his name from. When an attempt to prove himself by challenging an evil coyote named Swiftclaws goes awry, this ends up turning the other coyotes, with the exception of his father Tawny and his best friend Marigold, against him. The only way to redeem himself is to travel to a supposedly enchanted place in the desert called the Golden Mountain, which is said to grant the wishes of those that travel to it. What follows after is Bushy's journey to the Golden Mountain as he learns to accept himself for who he is.

Plot
In a large desert, there is a pack of coyotes living with each other. However, one of them, a young pup named Bushy, is teased relentlessly by the other coyote pups while playing with them, because of the fact that his tail is longer and bushier than a normal coyote's tail. Only Marigold, Bushy's best friend, does not tease Bushy about his tail, feeling great sympathy for him. When the pups throw pebbles off the edge of a small cliff, Bushy ends up outdoing them by using his long tail to whack a pebble far across the horizon. This only makes the other coyote pups tease Bushy even more, which prompts Bushy to leave in shame. While Bushy is heading home, it is made apparent that his being teased is not just limited to the other pups, but the older coyotes also tease Bushy about his tail as well. After arriving home, Bushy is greeted by his father Tawny, who understands how Bushy feels about being made fun of for being different. Tawny also mentions to Bushy about how Maxwell, a former member of the pack, left on his own for a place called the Golden Mountain due to also being teased for being different and after supposedly have been able to defeat an evil coyote named Swiftclaws. After hearing this story, Bushy immediately becomes interested in wanting to learn more about Maxwell, despite Tawny's reluctance.

Meanwhile, Swiftclaws, an evil-minded resident of the pack, along with his thorny devil accomplice Thornetta, strive to find a way to get to the Golden Mountain so that Swiftclaws can use it to fulfill his selfish desires. Later in the afternoon, Bushy meets with the Woodpecker, a good friend of his and Tawny's, where he relays his problem about not being accepted by the other coyotes. The Woodpecker, despite being a bit of a klutz, is understanding and sincere to Bushy's problem, while Bushy is determined to find a way to prove himself worthy in the eyes of the coyotes, before he sings a song called "My Own Adventure", telling about how he wants to go on a journey to find out more about himself in order to be accepted by everyone else. After the song ends, the Woodpecker still does his best to assure Bushy that he's still special even in spite of how long and bushy his tail is. However, Bushy comes up with a plan on how to appeal himself to the rest of the pack; he will challenge Swiftclaws to a fight, like most of the other coyotes have tried to do in the past. Despite the Woodpecker trying to talk Bushy out of it, due to the fact that no one has ever defeated Swiftclaws in battle, Bushy is still determined to go through with it while stating that if Maxwell did it, then he can do it too. The next morning, Bushy then leaves to put his plan into action, while Tawny goes to see him off, unaware of what Bushy is really doing. At first, Tawny is proud that Bushy has gone off on his own, but the Woodpecker, unable to keep it a secret very long, finally reveals to Tawny while Bushy is really doing, much to Tawny's shock as he immediately becomes worried for Bushy's well-being.

Bushy makes his way to Swiftclaws' den, which Swiftclaws notices as he inquires about what Bushy is doing. Upon being informed by Thornetta that Bushy has come to challenge him to a battle, Swiftclaws becomes intrigued, intending to really give Bushy a battle he'll never forget. Once Bushy arrives at Swiftclaws' den, he proclaims to Swiftclaws that he has come to beat him in battle. At first, there is no reply as Bushy repeats his proclamation, but after a while, Swiftclaws soon makes himself known to Bushy, while Thornetta is able to surprise Bushy into letting his guard down. This allows Swiftclaws to thrash Bushy around like he's nothing, as the other coyotes, including Tawny and Marigold, watch on in horror. Soon, Bushy is thrown from Swiftclaws' den as he slides down the mountain, but fortunately for him, he is saved when the Woodpecker manages to fly in and catch him by grabbing him by his long and bushy tail. Once Bushy has been saved and brought back to the ground again, Tawny is both relieved yet disappointed with Bushy for foolishly trying to fight someone as dangerous as Swiftclaws. Bushy tries to explain his intentions, only to be interrupted by Swiftclaws, who announces to all of the other coyotes that since this is the first time a coyote pup has tried to face him in battle, his victory over Bushy will allow him the opportunity to travel to the Golden Mountain and use it to enslave everyone in the pack, before he and Thornetta leave while laughing. The other coyotes are very worried that they will be doomed if Swiftclaws gets to the Golden Mountain, before realizing that it's all Bushy's fault for what happened, proclaiming it to be bad luck for a pup to try and fight Swiftclaws, as all of them, except for Tawny and Marigold, turn against him and resolve to cast him out for his insubordination to the pack. That night, Bushy is sitting on the edge of a small cliff side while feeling very guilty about what his reckless actions have done, before wondering if there is a way for him to redeem himself to the other coyotes again. While Bushy continues thinking, another song called "Follow the Spirit" plays, explaining that even though there are times when the things that we do don't always turn out the way we want them to, to not be afraid of what the future will hold and depending on the outcome, things will turn out right in the end. After the song ends, Bushy is then approached by Tawny, Marigold, and the Woodpecker, who still feel sorry for Bushy about what happened.

While Bushy still feels guilty that his attempt to beat Swiftclaws in battle has gone South and turned him into a pariah to the rest of the pack, Tawny still assures to him that he still loves him, even if he didn't have such a long tail. The Woodpecker then offhandedly mentions about Swiftclaws and Thornetta going to the Golden Mountain for their selfish desires, which ends up piquing Bushy's interest. Because of that, Bushy then decides that if he could get to the Golden Mountain before Swiftclaws, then it would help him prove to the rest of the pack that he can be a hero. Tawny tries to talk Bushy out of it, saying that he's caused enough trouble for the pack in one day, but Marigold supports Bushy's decision while also reasoning that she doesn't want Bushy to be treated like a social outcast because he's her best friend. Because of this, Tawny has no choice but to support Bushy's decision, albeit rather reluctantly, while also stating that after Maxwell left for the Golden Mountain, he never came back. Despite this, Bushy is certain that he'll make it to the Golden Mountain and be able to come back in one piece, before deciding to turn in for the night, as he, Marigold, Tawny, and the Woodpecker head for home. The next morning, Bushy is now prepared to leave for the Golden Mountain, though Marigold also insists on joining Bushy because she wants to help him and make sure that he'll be safe. Bushy is surprised by Marigold's proposition at first, but realizes that she has a point and gladly allows her to come with him. Soon, Bushy and Marigold leave for the Golden Mountain, while Tawny and the Woodpecker go to see them off; however, Tawny then surreptitiously asks the Woodpecker to covertly follow after Bushy and Marigold to make sure that none of them get hurt on the journey, which the Woodpecker gladly agrees to, before he also flies off as well, while also keeping his distance from behind Bushy and Marigold. The other coyotes notice Bushy and Marigold leaving the pack, as they express their relief that Bushy is leaving after all the trouble that he caused for them yesterday.

Unknown to Bushy and Marigold, however, Thornetta has noticed Bushy and Marigold leaving the pack, before she comes up to Swiftclaws and informs him that the two pups are also traveling to the Golden Mountain. Swiftclaws is surprised and enraged upon hearing that Bushy and Marigold are also traveling to the Golden Mountain, since this would end up putting a damper on his plans to reach the Golden Mountain first. Because of that, Swiftclaws vows to make sure that Bushy does not reach the Golden Mountain before him, before he starts to sing a song called "Swiftclaws' Rhapsody", explaining that it's his job to make life hard for other creatures around him, since he takes pride in being mean to every creature around him, with the exception of Thornetta of course, since she's his sidekick. After the song ends, we cut back to Bushy and Marigold as they still continue towards the Golden Mountain. While traveling, Marigold asks Bushy what he's going to wish for when they get to the Golden Mountain, Bushy answering that he's going to wish that he'll be more well-liked by the other coyotes, even after what happened with Swiftclaws. Marigold is uncertain if that is what Bushy wants, though Bushy still wants to prove himself worthy to the rest of the pack. However, unknown to either of them, they have started traveling dangerously close to the area of a rattlesnake, who is hidden in a nearby underground grotto. Bushy and Marigold then take a break near the grotto, which is also next to a large river. The rattlesnake is disturbed by the two pups trespassing near its territory, as it starts to covertly slither near the two pups while they are resting. The rattlesnake then comes up from behind Bushy, which Marigold notices as her screams alert Bushy to the rattlesnake's presence, allowing them to escape before the rattlesnake can strike either one of them. Bushy and Marigold quickly jump into the river and start to swim for their lives, though the rattlesnake also swims after them as well. However, Marigold ends up getting her foot caught on some underwater roots as she calls out to Bushy for help. Bushy swims back to try and help Marigold, just as the rattlesnake gets dangerously close to Marigold. Before the rattlesnake can strike, the Woodpecker suddenly flies in and starts to fight the rattlesnake, allowing Bushy to help Marigold get free as they swim back to the shore of the river.

After making it back to shore, Bushy and Marigold are surprised when they see that the Woodpecker has been following them, the Woodpecker explaining that Tawny sent him to make sure that nothing happens to them, before he is suddenly whacked into the river by the rattlesnake. The rattlesnake then slithers back towards Bushy and Marigold, before Bushy uses his long and bushy tail to slap the rattlesnake in the face, but it isn't enough to deter it. Before the rattlesnake can strike the two pups, another coyote suddenly rushes in while accompanied by a Gila monster and a mole, before the three then tackle into the rattlesnake. Bushy and Marigold become amazed when they see this trio show up to help them, at the same time that the Woodpecker is able to pick himself up out of the river. The rattlesnake still continues to fight against the older coyote, while the Gila monster and the mole also do their best to distract the rattlesnake. The mole is able to tunnel around the rattlesnake to distract it, while the Gila monster throws rocks at it. However, this also prompts the rattlesnake to slither towards them both, but they are saved when the older coyote jumps in and scoops them up before sliding across the ground on his back, a move that he christens the "Strife-Stave-Off Slide". The rattlesnake prepares to strike again, but this time, the older coyote, the Gila monster, and the mole are able to work together against the rattlesnake, before successfully driving it off. After the rattlesnake has been driven off, the older coyote then turns to Bushy and Marigold, asking them if they're alright, with Bushy and Marigold answering that they're fine, thanks to him. The Woodpecker is able to instantly recognize the older coyote as Maxwell, who likewise instantly recognizes the Woodpecker. Bushy is surprised upon discovering that this coyote is Maxwell, the very same coyote that Tawny told him about that used to be part of the pack, which Maxwell confirms, before asking Bushy and Marigold for their names, to which they introduce themselves. Maxwell then introduces his two sidekicks to the two young pups; the Gila monster Jorge and the mole Digby. Of course, Digby is nowhere to be found, which Jorge can't help but snark about, until Digby pops up from a hole in the ground and ends up running into a large rock upon doing so, while Jorge sarcastically commends Digby for being graceful, but Digby turns out to be not very smart as he blindly thinks that Jorge really means it.

Despite this, Maxwell explains to Bushy and Marigold that he left the pack years ago to see if he could hone his skills to be even better after beating Swiftclaws in battle. Bushy then states that he tried to beat Swiftclaws in battle, but was unable to, so because of that, he's been deemed as an outcast by the other coyotes and that he and Marigold are now on their way to the Golden Mountain. Maxwell, Jorge, and Digby are surprised upon hearing Bushy mention about traveling to the Golden Mountain, with Maxwell stating that he and his sidekicks are also on their way to the Golden Mountain as well. Bushy is even more equally amazed upon hearing this, asking Maxwell if he and his sidekicks would join him, Marigold, and the Woodpecker to the Golden Mountain. Maxwell accepts the proposition, then decides that the best way to really celebrate the occasion would be to sing about it, which Jorge is not too thrilled to hear, but Digby is excited about it. Because of that, Maxwell, Jorge, and Digby then sing an upbeat song called "Gallant Traveling Pals", explaining that even if they are travelers, they are also good friends no matter what. After the song ends, Bushy, Marigold, the Woodpecker, Maxwell, Jorge, and Digby spend the next several days traveling through the desert towards the Golden Mountain, able to subsist on whatever food they can find. Soon, the small group find themselves closer to the Golden Mountain than they ever thought possible. Bushy is excited to see that they've made it closer to the Golden Mountain and wants to get there now, but Maxwell stops him, reminding him that despite the Golden Mountain seeming closer at first glance, it's actually further away than they think, which Bushy is mildly disappointed to hear. Digby then complains about being hungry, while Jorge berates Digby for always being hungry. Fortunately, Maxwell knows some friends who actually live close by the Golden Mountain, which Bushy and Marigold are curious about.

At a nearby den that is located three miles from the Golden Mountain, we see two armadillos by the names of Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo. Mr. Armadillo is seen picking herbs for Mrs. Armadillo, who is getting dinner made, as she calls out to her husband asking if he got the herbs yet. Mr. Armadillo confirms that he got the herbs, though he ends up tripping and nearly dropping the basket of herbs, but he is able to catch them, which Mrs. Armadillo is relieved to see. After giving the basket of herbs to Mrs. Armadillo, Mr. Armadillo then looks over in time to notice Bushy, Marigold, the Woodpecker, Maxwell, Jorge, and Digby approach the den, before he informs Mrs. Armadillo that they have company. At first, Mrs. Armadillo is not too fond of having guests drop by for dinner, but upon being told by Mr. Armadillo that it's Maxwell, Jorge, and Digby, she immediately changes her tune as she also goes out to meet them. Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo are delighted to see Maxwell again, along with Jorge and Digby, but become a little wary upon seeing Bushy, Marigold, and the Woodpecker with them. Fortunately, Maxwell is able to assure the armadillos that the trio are with him, Jorge, and Digby, before introducing them to the armadillos. Mr. Armadillo asks the group to join them for dinner, which they gladly accept as they enter the armadillos' den afterwards. Soon, dinner is served as everyone starts to eat, with Maxwell complimenting Mrs. Armadillo for her cooking, which Mrs. Armadillo is flattered to hear. Meanwhile, unknown to everyone else, Thornetta has been standing from outside the armadillos' den and having heard everything, before she returns to Swiftclaws and informs him that Bushy and Marigold are getting closer to the Golden Mountain, as well as the fact that Maxwell is with them. Swiftclaws is surprised upon hearing that Bushy and Marigold have met with Maxwell, but nonetheless gets an idea on how to get Bushy to back down from arriving at the Golden Mountain.

After dinner, Maxwell compliments the armadillos for the meal, before Bushy still wants to continue traveling to the Golden Mountain. Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo are surprised upon hearing that Bushy wants to get to the Golden Mountain. When asked by Mr. Armadillo why he wants to go to the Golden Mountain, Bushy explains what happened, while Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo both feel great sympathy for Bushy. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo remind Bushy that even if he'll reach the Golden Mountain, the best thing to remember is that it's best to accept yourself for who you are, and to not be afraid of being different no matter what others say. Because of that. Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo then sing a song called "Self-Esteem", explaining that even if others bring you down because of how different you are, self-esteem can help you get through it as long as you remember that you're more special than you think you are. After the song ends, Bushy starts to consider this, though he is still certain that going to the Golden Mountain will help his dreams come true. It is too late for the group to continue traveling, so they are invited by the armadillos to spend the night before continuing their journey. However, deep in the night, Swiftclaws and Thornetta are standing near the edge of the Golden Mountain, their eyes shining in the dark as they prepare to put their plan into action. The next morning, Bushy exits the armadillos' den as he looks ahead at the Golden Mountain just standing off in the distance, before he sings a short reprise of "My Own Adventure". After the reprise ends, Bushy still looks out at the Golden Mountain, just as Marigold comes up to him, wondering if he's okay. Bushy tries assuring Marigold that he's fine, but Marigold is able to guess that Bushy is intent on using the Golden Mountain to wish to appeal himself to the rest of the pack. Bushy tries to deny it at first, but finally admits it that he's still been upset about what happened days ago before he left for the Golden Mountain.

Marigold reminds Bushy to remember what the armadillos told him the previous night about having self-esteem, but before the conversation can continue further, the two pups are suddenly rudely interrupted by Thornetta, who grabs Marigold and starts to take her away. Bushy tries to catch up to Thornetta, but she threatens him with her spiky quills not to do anything and to stay away from the Golden Mountain by Swiftclaws' demands, or else Marigold gets it. Thornetta then leaves while carrying Marigold who calls out for help. Bushy starts to run back the way he came, just as he meets up with the Woodpecker, Maxwell, Jorge, Digby, and the armadillos, telling them what happened. Bushy then pleads to Maxwell to help him get to the Golden Mountain and fight Swiftclaws and Thornetta again to get Marigold back. However, Maxwell suddenly and meekly tells Bushy that he has the wrong hero, which Bushy is confused to hear. Because of that, Maxwell ends up confessing to Bushy that he never beat Swiftclaws in a fight; he got thrashed mercilessly the first time he fought him, which led to him being cast out of the pack by the other coyotes, much like what happened with Bushy. So because of that, he went traveling through the desert to see if he could hone his skills, while trying to keep the illusion that he beat Swiftclaws in order to try and wash the bad taste of defeat out of his mouth. After this explanation, Bushy is shocked that the very coyote he hero-worshipped is a fraud all this time. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Bushy angrily blames Maxwell for being a phony and a coward for not doing anything about Swiftclaws, realizing that Tawny and the Woodpecker were right about Maxwell all along, which the Woodpecker himself is surprised to hear. Bushy then proclaims that if Maxwell isn't going to do anything about Swiftclaws, then he might as well do it himself and that he's still going to the Golden Mountain to rescue Marigold, no matter what Swiftclaws said and without Maxwell's help. As Bushy leaves, Maxwell calls out to Bushy to come back and tries apologizing, to no avail.

Likewise, Jorge and Digby are also disappointed upon learning that Maxwell lied about being a hero the whole time, while Maxwell ends up admitting that he really messed up and that he should have been truthful from the start, but it's too late now and that he should just give up. However, Mr. Armadillo is surprised upon hearing that Maxwell intends to give up because of what happened, before gently blaming him for giving up just because he told the truth. Mrs. Armadillo agrees with what her husband said, explaining that while the truth may hurt sometimes, telling the truth can also help you get over the pain of what happened as times goes on. Maxwell is still hesitant, but Mr. Armadillo is able to remind him that even though he lied about being able to beat Swiftclaws, he still showed courage and insightfulness when helping Bushy and Marigold to the Golden Mountain, and how far they've come. Maxwell then looks up at the Golden Mountain with a thoughtful look on his face afterwards. Meanwhile, Bushy has been climbing up the Golden Mountain, until he makes it to the top. Upon reaching the top of the Golden Mountain, Bushy looks around in amazement when he sees that the Golden Mountain is laden with golden sand and a large stream that flows through the mountain. Even in spite of his amazement, Bushy then starts looking around for Swiftclaws while calling out to him that he made it to the Golden Mountain and for Swiftclaws to try and stop him.

Cast
Carl Steven as Bushy

Ami Foster as Marigold

Jeff Corey as Tawny, Bushy's father

Dom Deluise as the Woodpecker

Roy Kinnear as Swiftclaws

Anne Ramsey as Thornetta

Pat Buttram as Maxwell

DeForest Kelley as Jorge

Jackie Vernon as Digby

Buddy Hackett as Mr. Armadillo

Susan Pleshette as Mrs. Armadillo

Dorothy McGuire as the Narrator

Home Media
The Golden Mountain was released on VHS and Laserdisc by MGM/UA Home Video on May 14, 1985. The film was later released on DVD in 2002 before marking its debut on Blu-Ray in 2013.