Tales from Earthsea

Tales from Earthsea is a 2006 animation by Studio Ghibli, directed by Gorō Miyazaki and based on the Earthsea novels by Ursula le Guin and The Journey of Shuna by Hayao Miyazaki.
Ged (Sparrowhawk) is a wandering mage who encounters the young troubled Prince Arren, disturbed by guilt from killing his father and stealing the magical sword. Sparrowhawk takes him to the farm of Tanar, who used to be a priestess, where a mysterious little orphan girl Therru also lives. Therru doesn't trust or like Arren very much. Sparrowhawk discovers that a powerful wizard named Cob is going to upset the balance of life.
There are dragons, direwolves, a cruel despot and even a magical sword. This is a high fantasy film and one of Ghibli's best. To the people who love Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, this anime film is for you.
I rate this a 9/10.
Tense moments: Quite a bit
Howls ^^

Earthsea

Earthsea is a 2004 TV mini series directed by Robert Lieberman, and starring Shawn Ahmore, Danny Glover and Isabella Rossellini. It was made into two parts and both episodes are feature film lengths. Based on the "Earthsea" novels by Ursula le Guin.
A young son of a blacksmith called Ged (Sparrowhawk) has magical leanings and wants to be a wizard. He encounters the mage, and finds that doing healing and learning about plants isn't all what he wants to do. He ends up seeking the school of wizardy on the Island of Roke to learn more. It's there that he dabbles with dark magic and unleashes a shadow creature who wants to consume and kill him. He has to leave Roke. Meanwhile, a ruthless king wants immortality and his mistress Kossil, also a prietstess, will do anything to help him get it. This means that the high priestess Thar has to be removed, so that Kossil takes position and gives the king ultimate power. However, nothing goes to plan when Thar chooses the kind Tenar to be her successor.
I rate this an 8/10.
Most awesome of all: the dragon!
Howls ^^