I hear you. I think it was my first experience of a lump in my throat and welling up.

It was tough, but I don't remember crying when I first saw it. I know it was probably the most terrifying thing aside from the Nothing Monster of the film

Artax was the horse that died in the swamp, right? (Been a long time since I've seen this film, though I saw it many times on HBO not too long after its theatrical release).

Yeah, I was pretty choked up. I don't remember crying, but I was on the verge. I remember I was also sad when the rock giant described trying-- and failing --to protect other friends on the journey, who were ripped from his hands and swallowed up by The Nothing; and I was sad when the rock giant said he himself had given up, and was waiting for The Nothing to take him.

Though the film eventually had a happy ending, it was one heck of a downer movie overall, especially for a kids' film. The Luck Dragon flying through the asteroid remains of the planet with Atreyu, our only other survivor-- aside from the beleaguered Princess who he is going to see --was also depressing; I remember thinking to myself at the time: imagine being that kid, and knowing that everything you had ever known, was gone.

They don't make kids' movies that deal with death in such an "on-the-nose" way, anymore; the last one I can think of was The Lion King (1994), where Simba watches his father die :(

Yeah it was the horse. I think the Lion King was the last.

This will sound odd probably, but the last film that got me for something sad was Up. Wreck It Ralph on the other hand, gave me tears of joy at the end.

I felt for Atreyu, but not at all for Artax. He just gave up.

ATREYU WENT ON TO BECOME A KICK ASS ROCK BAND.ARTAX WENT ON TO BE SWAMP ANIMAL TURDS.

@SoapboxQuantez08 said:

I felt for Atreyu, but not at all for Artax. He just gave up.

Perhaps Artax had just lost the will to be a horse, and decided suicide by drowning was the best choice.

Depression is an illness, Artax couldn't just choose to be cheery. You shouldn't judge him unless you've walked a mile in his horseshoes.

@Fergoose said:

Depression is an illness, Artax couldn't just choose to be cheery. You shouldn't judge him unless you've walked a mile in his horseshoes.

Yes. I support his decision to do what he did. Atreyu wanted him to struggle to get out of the swamp, but this is kind of selfish if the horse wanted to drown.

This scene was scarier in the move than in the book, since in the book the horse could talk. In the book there is also an explanation: Atreyu has the magic neckless, that's how he can pass by the swamp.