The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Albert Pyun

Writers:

Tom Karnowski (screenplay) &
John V. Stuckmeyer (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

April 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Adventure

Tagline:

The greatest duel ever fought between deathless courage and endless evil!

Plot:

A mercenary with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage dangerous future when he is recruited...

Plot Keywords:

Sorcerer | Princess | Hit In Crotch | Knee In Groin | Monster Disguised As Human

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Lee Horsley	...	Talon
Kathleen Beller	...	Alana
Simon MacCorkindale	...	Mikah (as Simon Mac Corkindale)
George Maharis	...	Machelli
Richard Lynch	...	Cromwell
Richard Moll	...	Xusia
Anthony De Longis	...	Rodrigo
Robert Tessier	...	Verdugo
Nina Van Pallandt	...	Malia
Anna Bjorn	...	Elizabeth
Jeff Corey	...	Craccus
Joseph Ruskin	...	Malcolm
Joe Regalbuto	...	Darius
Russ Marin	...	Mogullen
Earl Maynard	...	Morgan

Runtime:

100 min | USA:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:18 | Australia:M | South Korea:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | UK:AA | Norway:(Banned) (1982-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Sorcerer Productions

Trivia:

The producers wanted Oliver Reed to narrate the movie, but were dissatisfied with his performance and replaced him with Simon MacCorkindale.

Quotes:

Titus Cromwell: I will allow you to live as long as you serve me. Betray me, and I will joyfully send you back to rot in hell.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#33.13)" (2005)

Pride in the sword.

Albert Pyun's minor budgeted sword and sorcery foray is just as amusing now, as I remembered it to be and one of the better (if not one of the best) attempts of the over-flooded sub-genre that skyrocketed in the 80s. Never does it cop out on the ingredients that make this type of b-films fun. The wonderful camp level is high, as blood and flesh (topless mainly) run freely. Pace stays zippy, and while the pulpy story has cut and dry outline, it still has personality and a complex array of schemes to keep it excitingly brash, and not just relying on set-pieces. Don't go looking for a mythical medieval journey filled with a variety of beasties, and obstacles on this one though. It's the standard boy seeks revenge when grown up on the man who killed his family, and took over his father's thrown. The hacked-up script is colourfully tacky, but has an agreeable sarcastic edge and unpretentious novelties streaming off it. Sure there are some untied plot details, but never does it fault the entertainment. Yes its entertainment, that's better not to delve too hard in to. Pyun (in his directorial debut) confidently does a workable job constructing an epic scale treatment, by using his budget wisely. Enthusiastic set-designs, and prop work look respectable and are well-integrated. We get bravado sword fights, busting with adrenaline and guts. It's pure mayhem during certain stages, but commendably executed. Then there's the potent make-up FX that holds a vivid imagination, and brutal punch. David Whittaker spirited score chimes in largely, and overwhelms many sequences. Lee Horsley makes for a charming, brawn heroine and a lively Richard Lynch mercifully eats it up as the clichéd villain of the piece. Kathleen Beller stands tall with her bold performance, and makes for nice eye-candy. Simon MacCorkindale has a strong showing, and Richard Boll (in gooey make-up) stands out too in his role as a monstrous sorcerer. In solid support are George Maharis, Joe Regalbuto and a formidable Robert Tessier.