Dragonslayer (1981)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Matthew Robbins

Writers:

Hal Barwood (written by) &
Matthew Robbins (written by)

Release Date:

26 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

IN THE DARK AGES DRAGONS WERE REAL. [USA theatrical]

Plot:

A King has made a pact with a dragon where he sacrfices virgins to it, and the dragon leaves his kingdom alone...

Plot Keywords:

Dragon | Apprentice | Kingdom | Knight | Sword And Sorcery

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Peter MacNicol	...	Galen
Caitlin Clarke	...	Valerian
Ralph Richardson	...	Ulrich
John Hallam	...	Tyrian
Peter Eyre	...	Casiodorus Rex
Albert Salmi	...	Greil
Sydney Bromley	...	Hodge
Chloe Salaman	...	Princess Elspeth
Emrys James	...	Valerian's Father
Roger Kemp	...	Horsrik
Ian McDiarmid	...	Brother Jacopus
Ken Shorter	...	Henchman
Jason White	...	Henchman
Yolanda Palfrey	...	Victim
Douglas Cooper	...	Urlander

Runtime:

108 min | USA:109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Vistasonic (some 35 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 | Denmark:11 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

North Wales, Wales, UK

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The dragon in the movie actually has a name, called by its full name by the sorcerer Ulrich, and by its first name by King Casiodorus Rex and by Galen: Vermithrax Pejorative.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the scene in which the wizard teleports himself to the mountaintop for the final battle, thunder continually rumbles under a clear sky in the soundtrack though the wizard hasn't yet magically summoned the electrical storm (which he will do in a few moments).

Quotes:

Casiodorus Rex: Did you ever hear of King Gazerick? Oh no, of course not, you weren't even born. He was my brother, a great King and a valiant man-at-arms. When he ascended the throne, the dragon was unbridled. No one knew where it might strike next. So, he brought forth his broadsword, assembled his best company of fighters and went out to do battle. He was never seen again. But his attack provoked the most terrible reprisals: whole villages incinerated, entire crops burnt, death, famine... horrible. How did you advocate to yourself the role of 'savior'?
Galen: I was invited.
Casiodorus Rex: Not by me! I think you're nothing but a boy... an apprentice!
[rips the amulet from around Galen's neck]
Casiodorus Rex: Have you ever considered the consequences of failure?
Galen: WHAT failure? What are you saying, do you want the dragon back?
Casiodorus Rex: You came here and toyed with the monster! Who are YOU, to risk our people? Our villages?
Galen: But your children were dying!
Casiodorus Rex: Only a few, does that sound cruel? It is better that they should die that others might live. I created the lottery!
[agreed murmuring among the King's court]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi (1983) (TV)

Fantastic.

Dragonslayer is a great fantasy film. The special effects hold up fairly well even today. The dragon is just a model and it looks fantastic. I was only 9 years old when I saw this film and it has stuck with me ever since. There are great performances and the direction is tight. The set design is also done well. Dragonslayer has a great atmosphere and you won't forget the image of the dragon rising from the water behind our hero anytime soon.