GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords
Encyclopedia
GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords is an animated movie based on the Gobots
toy
and TV
franchise. This movie was produced by Hanna-Barbera
(the same company responsible for the Challenge of the GoBots
series) and released to theaters in 1986
by Clubhouse Pictures. It was also the last film released by Clubhouse Pictures.
It featured the first appearance of the Rock Lords
who were given their own toyline after the movie. These new characters featured the guest voices of Margot Kidder
, Telly Savalas
and Roddy McDowall
. The TV series regulars all reprised their usual roles.
are continuing their work on rebuilding their home planet of Gobotron when a mysterious ship crashes on the planet. Leader-1
, Turbo
and Scooter investigate, and find it to be occupied by a pair of transforming rocks - Solitaire and her valet
Nugget. They have come seeking the Guardians' help to save their planet from the evil Rock Lord Magmar, who is killing the other Rock Lords in order to take their power sceptres. He places these in a machine designed to channel all their power into his own sceptre. The Guardians agree to help, but the conversation is spied upon by the Renegade Fitor
. Gobotron is soon attacked by the Renegade fleet, and Cy-Kill
and a team of Renegades capture Solitaire, Small Foot, Nick and A.J. With Nugget as their guide, Leader-1, Turbo and Matt
set off on a rescue mission. Back on Quartex, the only obstacle facing Magmar is Boulder's group of Rock Lords, who set off to draw Magmar into battle.
Meanwhile, Cy-Kill attempts to get information out of Solitaire, and despite her best efforts manages to link up with Magmar and strike an alliance, turning the battle against Boulder. The good Rock Lords flee, and after their defeat at the hands of the Renegades are initially very skeptical about the Guardians' intentions when they land on Quartex. However, they too form an alliance, and march on Magmar's headquarters. However, when they get there Magmar is able to take Boulder's sceptre from him, and activate the machine. Cy-Kill betrays Magmar, taking the weapon for himself, but is defeated by Leader-1, and the power is dissipated. The Renegade prisoners are released, and the Gobots return to Gobotron.
1.5 million domestically. When released in Australia
(as Machine Men: Battle of the Rock Lords, to tie in with the line's name in that territory), only a few independent cinemas carried the film, rather than the major chains. Several critics (Leonard Maltin
amongst them) have suggested that The Transformers: The Movie
was made to "cash in" on the release of the film. While Battle of the Rock Lords was released six months before Transformers, the latter film had been in production for the better part of two years, well before Battle of the Rock Lords began production.
Gobots
Gobots was a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Transformers. In 1991, the Gobots range was acquired from Tonka Inc. by Hasbro.-History:...
toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
and TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
franchise. This movie was produced by Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
(the same company responsible for the Challenge of the GoBots
Challenge of the GoBots
Challenge of the GoBots is an American animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera, based on the Gobots toy-line released from Tonka. Most of the toys were imported from the Japanese Machine Robo toy line. The show originally debuted in animated form as a five-part miniseries, which aired in...
series) and released to theaters in 1986
1986 in television
The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
by Clubhouse Pictures. It was also the last film released by Clubhouse Pictures.
It featured the first appearance of the Rock Lords
Rock Lords
Rock Lords was a spin-off toyline to the GoBots from Tonka in 1986 after the movie GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords. They were transforming rocks that came with weapons such as axes, guns and swords. There were vehicles for the Rock Lords to drive in battle. The Rock Lords were imported from...
who were given their own toyline after the movie. These new characters featured the guest voices of Margot Kidder
Margot Kidder
Margaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
, Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas
Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz...
and Roddy McDowall
Roddy McDowall
Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude "Roddy" McDowall was an English actor and photographer. His film roles included Cornelius and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes film series...
. The TV series regulars all reprised their usual roles.
Plot
The Guardian GobotsGobots
Gobots was a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987, similar to Transformers. In 1991, the Gobots range was acquired from Tonka Inc. by Hasbro.-History:...
are continuing their work on rebuilding their home planet of Gobotron when a mysterious ship crashes on the planet. Leader-1
Leader-1
Leader-1 is the name of several fictional characters from the Go-Bots, Robo Machines and Transformers toy lines in 1983. The original Leader-1 was voiced by Lou Richards in the animated Challenge of the Gobots series...
, Turbo
Turbo (Gobots)
Turbo is a fictional character in the Gobots toyline, and the subsequent Challenge of the Gobots cartoon. The character transformed into a concept car. Turbo was among the main trio of heroes of the cartoon series, and appeared in every episode along side Leader-1 and Scooter...
and Scooter investigate, and find it to be occupied by a pair of transforming rocks - Solitaire and her valet
Valet
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer.- Word origins :In the Middle Ages, the valet de chambre to a ruler was a prestigious appointment for young men...
Nugget. They have come seeking the Guardians' help to save their planet from the evil Rock Lord Magmar, who is killing the other Rock Lords in order to take their power sceptres. He places these in a machine designed to channel all their power into his own sceptre. The Guardians agree to help, but the conversation is spied upon by the Renegade Fitor
Fitor
Fitor is the name of several fictional character in the Gobots, Robo Machines and Transformers series. He was a major character in the Challenge of the GoBots cartoon. The character transforms into a futuristic jet fighter...
. Gobotron is soon attacked by the Renegade fleet, and Cy-Kill
Cy-Kill
Cy-Kill is the name of several fictional characters from the Gobots, Robo Machines and Transformers toy line and fiction. Introduced as a toy in 1983, he is leader of the Renegade Gobot faction and the main antagonist of the animated series, where he was voiced by Bernard Erhard...
and a team of Renegades capture Solitaire, Small Foot, Nick and A.J. With Nugget as their guide, Leader-1, Turbo and Matt
Matt Hunter
Matt Hunter is an Canadian professional mountain biker. Matt Hunter's professional career began when he won the 2003 "Ultimate Freeride Challenge"....
set off on a rescue mission. Back on Quartex, the only obstacle facing Magmar is Boulder's group of Rock Lords, who set off to draw Magmar into battle.
Meanwhile, Cy-Kill attempts to get information out of Solitaire, and despite her best efforts manages to link up with Magmar and strike an alliance, turning the battle against Boulder. The good Rock Lords flee, and after their defeat at the hands of the Renegades are initially very skeptical about the Guardians' intentions when they land on Quartex. However, they too form an alliance, and march on Magmar's headquarters. However, when they get there Magmar is able to take Boulder's sceptre from him, and activate the machine. Cy-Kill betrays Magmar, taking the weapon for himself, but is defeated by Leader-1, and the power is dissipated. The Renegade prisoners are released, and the Gobots return to Gobotron.
Cast and characters
- Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
as Solitaire: A good female Rock Lord. - Telly SavalasTelly SavalasAristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz...
as Magmar: Leader of the evil Rock Lords. - Roddy McDowallRoddy McDowallRoderick Andrew Anthony Jude "Roddy" McDowall was an English actor and photographer. His film roles included Cornelius and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes film series...
as Nugget: Solitaire's assistant, strikes up a quick friendship with the Gobot Scooter. - Michael NouriMichael NouriMichael Nouri is an American television and film actor. He may be best known for his role as Nick Hurley, in the 1983 film Flashdance. He has had recurring roles in numerous television series, including NCIS as Eli David, the father of Mossad officer Ziva David, The O.C. as Dr...
as Boulder: Leader of the sole remaining group of good Rock Lords, and an ally of Solitaire. - Lou RichardsLou RichardsLewis Thomas Charles "Lou" Richards is a retired Australian rules footballer, who played 250 games with the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1941 and 1955...
as Leader-1Leader-1Leader-1 is the name of several fictional characters from the Go-Bots, Robo Machines and Transformers toy lines in 1983. The original Leader-1 was voiced by Lou Richards in the animated Challenge of the Gobots series...
: The Guardian leader, who transforms into an F-15 EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
. - Frank WelkerFrank WelkerFranklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
as ScooterScooter (Gobots)Scooter is a fictional character in the Gobots toyline, and the subsequent Challenge of the GoBots cartoon where he was voiced by Frank Welker. The character transformed into a motor scooter.-Gobots:...
: The Guardians' chief engineer, who transforms into a scooter. - Bernard ErhardBernard ErhardBernard Erhard was an American voice actor.He worked primarily in children's cartoons. Among his roles were Cy-Kill in Challenge of the GoBots , King Morpheus in Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, and one of the wolves in Rover Dangerfield.-External links:...
as Cy-KillCy-KillCy-Kill is the name of several fictional characters from the Gobots, Robo Machines and Transformers toy line and fiction. Introduced as a toy in 1983, he is leader of the Renegade Gobot faction and the main antagonist of the animated series, where he was voiced by Bernard Erhard...
: The Renegade leader, who transforms into a motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
. - Darryl HickmanDarryl HickmanDarryl Gerard Hickman is an American film and television actor, former television executive, and child star of the 1930s and 1940s.-Early life:...
as Marbles: A young good Rock Lord who appears to have some form of psychicPsychicA psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
powers. His name is derived from marbleMarbleMarble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
. - Michael Bell as Granite: A good Rock Lord. As his nameGraniteGranite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
implies, he is very tough. - Philip L. ClarkePhilip L. ClarkePhilip Lewis Clarke is an American voice actor. He has provided voices in various TV series, films, and video games, but is most notable for his leading role as Malcolm Betruger in Doom 3. He also voiced the villain Doctor Go in Challenge of the GoBots....
as Crackpot: A good Rock Lord. - Frank Welker as Pulver-Eyes: A rather manic good Rock Lord. his name is a pun on the word pulverise.
- Michael Bell as Slimestone: An evil Rock Lord.
- Foster BrooksFoster BrooksFoster Brooks was an American actor and comedian most famous for his portrayal of a lovable drunken man in nightclub performances and television programs.-Biography:...
as Stoneheart: An evil Rock Lord. - Peter CullenPeter CullenPeter Claver Cullen is a Canadian voice actor, known as the voice of Eeyore in the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise, Optimus Prime and Ironhide in the original Transformers series, and the narrator in both of the original American Voltron series...
as Tombstone: An evil Rock Lord. - Peter Cullen and Frank Welker as Sticks 'n' Stones: An evil Rock Lord who seems to be a conjoined twin. For comedic effect, the two heads (each voiced by a different actor - ironically, Cullen and Welker are arguably best remembered as the voices of Optimus PrimeOptimus PrimeOptimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
and Megatron, opposing leaders in the original TransformersThe Transformers (TV series)The Transformers is an animated television series depicting a war among giant robots who could transform into vehicles, other objects and animal-like forms. Written and recorded in America, the series was animated in Japan and South Korea...
cartoon) regularly argue with each other. the name derives from the old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.". - Richard GautierRichard GautierRichard "Dick" Gautier is an actor, comedian, composer, singer and author. Among his most well-known television roles are for Hymie the Robot in the television series Get Smart, and Robin Hood in the short-lived TV comedy series When Things Were Rotten, a Mel Brooks send-up of the classic...
as Brimstone: An evil Rock Lord. - Arthur BurghardtArthur BurghardtArthur Burghardt is an American actor known for portraying Dr. Jack Scott on the soap opera One Life to Live.His first movie appearance was as the Great Ahmed Kahn in Network . A prolific voice actor during the 1980s, his most celebrated roles were Destro in the animated series G.I. Joe and...
as TurboTurbo (Gobots)Turbo is a fictional character in the Gobots toyline, and the subsequent Challenge of the Gobots cartoon. The character transformed into a concept car. Turbo was among the main trio of heroes of the cartoon series, and appeared in every episode along side Leader-1 and Scooter...
: A Guardian warrior who travels to Quartex with Leader-1. Transforms into a concept carConcept carA concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
. - Marilyn Lightstone as CrasherCrasherCrasher is the name of several fictional characters in the Gobots toyline, and the subsequent Challenge of the GoBots cartoon and Transformers series...
: A Renegade warrior who travels with Cy-Kill, she transforms into a Porsche 956Porsche 956The Porsche 956 was a Group C sports-prototype racing car designed by Norbert Singer and built by Porsche in 1982 for the FIA World Sportscar Championship...
. - Peter Cullen as Pincher: A Renegade mutantMutantIn biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
who travels with Cy-Kill, he transforms into a spaceship. - Darryl Hickman as Hornet: A Renegade mutantMutantIn biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
who travels with Cy-Kill, he transforms into a spaceship. The film represents Hornet's debut, the character having not appeared in the TV series. - Richard Gautier as Klaws: A Renegade mutantMutantIn biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
who travels with Cy-Kill, he transforms into a tank. - B. J. Ward as Small Foot: A Guardian captured along with Solitaire, she transformed into a Toyota HiluxToyota HiluxThe Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
. - Morgan PaullMorgan PaullMorgan Paull is an American actor probably most notable for playing Holden in the Ridley Scott film Blade Runner. He made his acting debut in the 1970 film Patton playing Captain Richard N. Jenson...
as Matt HunterMatt HunterMatt Hunter is an Canadian professional mountain biker. Matt Hunter's professional career began when he won the 2003 "Ultimate Freeride Challenge"....
: A UNICOM astronaut and their liaison with the Guardians, Matt travels with Leader-1 to Quartex. - Leslie Speights as A. J. Foster: A UNICOM cadet kidnapped by Cy-Kill.
- Ike EisenmannIke EisenmannIke Eisenmann is an American actor, voice actor, producer, and sound-effects specialist who has been active in the entertainment industry since he was a preteen.-Career:...
as Nick Burns: A UNICOM cadet kidnapped by Cy-Kill. - Several over Gobots have cameo or walk-on scenes during the early stages of the film, including FitorFitorFitor is the name of several fictional character in the Gobots, Robo Machines and Transformers series. He was a major character in the Challenge of the GoBots cartoon. The character transforms into a futuristic jet fighter...
, Cop-TurCop-TurCop-Tur is the name of several fictional characters in the Gobots, Robo Machines and Transformers toy lines, and the subsequent fiction. They transform into futuristic helicopters. They are all based on adaptations of the character Gyro Robo from the Machine Robo toy line...
, Dr. Go, Heat Seeker, TorkTork-People with the surname Tork:* Dave Tork , American pole vaulter* Hanan Tork , Egyptian actress and ballerina* Peter Tork , American musician and actor, best known as a member of The Monkees...
, Sparky, Rest-Q, Professor Von Joy, Zeemon, Twin Spin, Twister and Major Mo. In an odd animation error, Dr. Go and Von Joy's roles were reversed, with each Gobot fulfilling the other's role, and being referred to by name. This error is especially odd as it required several scenes of animation, yet the error is consistent throughout.
Box office and critical response
The film performed poorly, pulling in about $USUnited States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.5 million domestically. When released in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
(as Machine Men: Battle of the Rock Lords, to tie in with the line's name in that territory), only a few independent cinemas carried the film, rather than the major chains. Several critics (Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
amongst them) have suggested that The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
was made to "cash in" on the release of the film. While Battle of the Rock Lords was released six months before Transformers, the latter film had been in production for the better part of two years, well before Battle of the Rock Lords began production.