bkoganbing
A young apprentice magician played by Peter MacNicol in his film debut is told
he's learned all that his master can teach him. Ralph Richardson expects to die
soon. But maybe not at the hands of one of the King's men. All for wanting to
get rid of a nasty dragon who gets fed a regular diet of virginal women in exchange for leaving his kingdom alone. But when it comes to the royal princess
herself, the king thinks we ought to reexamine our policy.Dragonslayer is a charming fantasy about those things we love in our legends,
fierce dragons and the heroes who slay them to save a princess. It deservedly
got an Oscar nomination for Best Special Effects and also one for it's original
movie score. MacNicol makes a nice debut and wins himself Caitlin Clarke,
a lovely catch even if she isn't heir to the realm.One thing though, what is it about dragons and virgins? Do the women taste
sweeter, do they roast better under the dragon's breath if they're virgins? One
day someone will do a treatise on that.Have to give recognition to one of the UK's acting knights. Ralph Richardson
is a wonderful sorcerer. A kind of Obi Wan Kenobe to MacNicol's medieval Han
Solo. Dragonslayer is worth watching for him alone.And I hope you see it.
balsarius
How they managed to cover this D&D film in a Christian veneer in the early 80's is unbelievable. But throw in a Catholic theme and the movie went right to the box office.This was obviously made for the 2nd Addition Advanced Dundeon's & Dragon's, crowd back in 1981. But there was this psychotic notion that everything fantasy was antichrist in that era. So, instead of a great tale set in the Forgotten Realm's, you get, Galen Bradwarden, wizard's apprentice, in what freaking country is this again?But they managed to keep it looking enough like a real D&D setting by avoiding too much cultural identity.You have the fighter, and the rogue, the wizard, and the only epic failure was the cleric.But it's good that the setting had to remain Earth, because the wizard could use a shield and a spear. Both totally contrary to conventional canon play.Another movie not too hard on girls and showing the capable nature of females as individuals of varying ranges.Yes, they had those in the 1980's.A great movie with lots to love, and my favorite dragon in cinema before the masterpiece, Reign of Fire.I wish they do a remake, just to get the RoF boys back behind the computers, but stick to the old movies feel and wardrobe esthetics. Peter MacNico, could play the new old wizard, and some strapping lad the new apprentice.
tlooknbill
I Remember "Dragonslayer" playing in constant rotation during the early days of cable TV as content filler to promote HBO subscriptions along the likes of "Beastmaster" which I'm sure we all remember getting sick of due to the annoying repetitive airplay. Oooh! Free HBO for a month!Saw "Dragonslayer" on Sundance today and couldn't keep from noting how well written, directed and photographed this movie was of its genre considering the limited technology of its day. I remember first seeing it at the theater having polished British production values and a realistic look and ambiance of fictional storybook medieval sorcery times similar to the first "Star Wars" movie and Ridley Scott's "Legend" but with a more lived in look. The extras, supporting cast, costumes, sets and landscape look hand picked and right for the era they were portraying.The plot is so well thought out and imaginative in how it portrays and deals with the menace of the dragon as well as how it ties together commentary on class and socioeconomic issues and a coming of age awareness of its youthful hero. It never drags or becomes long winded or boring. It moves along at a good pace.And Sir Ralph Richardson's minimalist, laid back acting style, commanding voice and bigger than life theatrical "aura" gives an amazing believability to the plot adding a special ambiance I didn't see in all of the "Lord of The Rings" flicks. It's the same theatrical ambiance the seasoned actor projects in another high British production value movie, "Time Bandits".I remember back then having to watch "Dragonslayer" several times on cable in order to distinguish listening through British spoken dialog the importance to the plot of the cryptic line... "ashes spread on burning water". I've never heard of a plot twist like that. What a cool way to deal with a insurmountable problem. "Star Wars" wasn't as sophisticated."Dragonslayer" is another one of those underrated perfect little movies that still holds up today. I actually like it more than "Star Wars".
Rainey Dawn
This is one of the best sword and sorcery films out there. It is very good - especially the visual effects (amazing for the time era).The story is sorta reminiscent of "King Kong" or "Clash of the Titans" (among other films) in the way there is a beast of sorts after a helpless woman and a young dashing hero out to rescue her. Dragonslayer has a stereo-typical scenario but so wonderfully done.Dragonslayer is not a movie of epic portions but is a good movie to watch on a day when you have time to spare. If you are into movies about dragons, wizards and heroes then give Dragonslayer a try. It's one of the better quality movies of this type.9/10
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