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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+

