The sorcerer and his apprentice Galen are on a mission to kill an evil dragon to save the King’s daughter from being sacrificed according to a pact that the King himself made with the dragon to protect his kingdom.

Credits: TheMovieDb.

Film Cast:

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

Film Crew:

• Casting: Deborah Brown
• Screenplay: Matthew Robbins
• Set Decoration: Ian Whittaker
• Casting: Debbie McWilliams
• Original Music Composer: Alex North
• Producer: Hal Barwood
• Editor: Tony Lawson
• Director of Photography: Derek Vanlint
• Art Direction: Alan Cassie
• Executive Producer: Howard W. Koch
• Costume Design: Anthony Mendleson
• Visual Effects: Paul Huston
• Visual Effects: Phil Tippett
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Dennis Muren
• Sound Recordist: Walter Murch
• Wardrobe Assistant: Renee Heimer
• Still Photographer: Laurie Ridley
• Production Design: Elliot Scott
• Associate Producer: Eric Rattray
• Makeup Artist: Graham Freeborn
• Makeup Artist: Jane Royle
• Hair Designer: Bobbie Smith
• Hair Designer: Barbara Ritchie
• Makeup Artist: Nick Dudman
• Unit Production Manager: Donald Toms
• Stunts: Vic Armstrong
• Stunts: Tony Smart
• Stunts: Peter Diamond
• Stunt Coordinator: Terry Walsh
• Visual Effects Camera: Selwyn Eddy

Movie Reviews:

• r96sk: A suitably entertaining fantasy film from Disney, if a tad too long.
• ‘Dragonslayer’ is just about good. I like some of the locations used as well as the, admittedly dated, special effects. As for my dislikes, those would be the cast, characters and story. I had a fine time following all three, but I didn’t overly care for any of them – I didn’t feel attached.
• Peter MacNicol, who I always remember from 1997’s ‘Bean’, is alright as Galen, if unspectacular and mostly forgettable. As are the rest of the cast in truth, I can’t say their performances will stick in my mind either unfortunately.
• I can see how some people would enjoy this. I did, just not majorly.
• Wuchak: _**”Jaws” in Medieval Times, except with a Dragon**_
• A medieval kingdom is harassed by a dragon, apparently the last of its species. Those in government decide to appease the horrific beast with regular sacrifices of virgin maidens, which are selected through a questionable lottery system. When the King’s daughter is picked for sacrifice, the monarch employs a sorcerer’s apprentice (Peter MacNicol) to slay the dragon.
• “Dragonslayer” (1981) takes the “Jaws” route by not fully showing the beast until well into the second hour of the film. Prior to that moment the film expertly builds up a heap of horrific anticipation concerning the creature. The first virgin sacrifice scene is particularly terrifying. When we finally DO see the monster it’s not a let down. Despite the film’s age, this has to be one of better dragons to appear in cinema.
• I’ve heard some complain that MacNicol was wrong for the role of the protagonist. I disagree. He’s easy to relate to because he’s a flawed human being with naive, boyish qualities, not a larger-than-life superhero, like Conan or Beastmaster. I’ve also heard some complain that the heroine, Caitlin Clarke, is too “man-ish” looking. Well, duh, that fits into the whole sacrificial lottery plot. When Caitlin ultimately (and uncertainly) dons a dress & make-up she’s woman enough.
• The Dark Age sets/costumes/locations really impressed me. If you’re in the mood for a top-of-the-line medieval flick with castles, dungeons, forests, villages, fair maidens, kings, sorcerers and caves, this one fills the bill.
• “Dragonslayer” was an inexplicable flop at the box office when it was released, perhaps due to the glut of sword & sorcery pictures in the early 80s. But that doesn’t mean you can’t discover it (or rediscover it) and savor it now.
• The film runs 1 hour, 48 minutes and was shot in Scotland (Skye) and Wales (Snowdonia & North Wales) with studio stuff done at Pinewood Studios, near London.
• GRADE: B+