Heroic fantasy films and television changed after 1982. The release of Dino DeLaurentis’ Conan the Barbarian sent Fantasy films in a new direction. Movies had to have a mix of violence, sex and flash that previous movies seemed to lack. Whether you like or hate these films is a matter of opinion. There were bright spots of Fantasy filmmaking among the direct-to-video duds like the Brian Froud-Jim Henson films, Legend by Ridley Scott, and Ron Howard’s The Lord of the Rings known as Willow. Whatever you think of them, they were as distinctive as 1930s Noir or 1960s Spaghetti Westerns. Lots of flames, blood, swords and boobs, the 1980s style Sword & Sorcery film was usually a low-budget affair (not always) with bad acting and worse writing. But there is nothing else like it.
Conan the Barbarian Directed by John Milius–features Arnold Schwartzenegger, James Earl Jones, Mako and Sandahl Bergman
1982
Ator: The Fighting Eagle Directed by David Hills–features Miles O’Keefe
Gunan, King of the Barbarians – directed by Francesco Propseri
Sangraal, la Spada di Fuoco – directed by Michelle Massimo Tarantino
The Dark Crystal was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. The first of the Brian Froud movies, this film is a masterpiece visually. The story was less inspired.
The Beast Master Directed by Don Coscarelli–features Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, John Amos and Rip Torn – loosely based on Andre Norton
The Flight of Dragons was based on British author Peter Dickinson’s book. Voice by Americans like John Ritter, James Earl Jones and Harry Morgan.
The Last Unicorn was based on the classic by Peter S. Beagle. Voice work by Mia Farrow, Christopher Lee, Angela Lansbury and Jeff Bridges. Probably the bes thing Rankin-Bass did in the Fantasy genre. Very watchable.
Sorceress Directed by Jack Hill – Leigh Harris, Lynette Harris, Roberto Harris, David Millbern, and Bruno Rey
The Sword and the Sorcerer Directed by Albert Pyun–features Lee Horsley, Simon MacCorkindale and Richard Moll
1983
Conquest – Directed by Lucio Fulci – featuring Jorge Rivero
Thrown of Fire – directed by Francesco Prosperi
Dungeons & Dragons (Animated) (1983-1985) – Produced by David H. DePatie – featuring Willie Ames and Donny Most. Due to SatAm restrictions the show could not show enough violence to make the stories real D&D.
Fire and Ice (Animated) Directed by Ralph Bakshi–features Frank Frazetta art and characters making it the most S&S film ever. The results are visual cool but the story is a snore. Starred Randy Norton and Cynthea Leake
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Animated) (1983-1985) – Produced by Filmation.
Hercules Directed by Lewis Coates–features Lou Ferrigno
Hundra – directed by Matt Cimber and starred Laurene Landon, Cihangir Gaffari and Maria Casal
Deathstalker Directed by John Watson–features Barbi Benton. The film posters were done by Boris Vallejo.
Krull was directed by Peter Yates. I saw this one in the theater but can’t recall a single thing from it. I do remember being very bored. I have seen people rave about it online so a re-watch I think. Featured Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrain.
Wizards & Warriors – Directed by Bill Bixby. Short-lived TV show starring Jeff Conaway and Walter Olkewicz. Battle scenes were taken from Excalibur.
Yor, the Hunter From the Future
1984
Dragon’s Lair was a Don Bluth animated film based on the video game. This was before CGI so the video game was very expensive because it ran like a movie. It was also very hard to play.
Ator II: The Blade Master – Directed by Joe D’Amato – featuring Miles O’Keefe, Lisa Foster.
Conan the Destroyer Directed by Richard Fleischer–features Arnold Schwartenegger, Grace Jones and Wilt Chamberlain. The film’s story was provided by comic legends Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. Richard Fleischer, the director, made The Vikings with Kirk Douglas in 1958.
The Never-Ending Story – directed by Wolfgang Petersen – starred Noah Hathaway, Barrett Oliver – the parts in the Fantasy world are very heroic fantasy. There was a sequel in 1990.
The Sword of the Valiant is an adaptation of Gawain and the Green Knight. Possibly even more boring than the medieval poem.
The Warrior and the Sorceress Directed by John Broderick–features David Carradine
The Devil’s Sword – directed by Ratno Timoer
1985
Galtar and the Golden Lance, a Masters of the Universe rip-off.
Barbarian Queen Directed by Hector Olivera
The Black Cauldron was based on Lloyd Alexander’s second book in the series. Great series to read. the film has its good point and bad. It did poorly at the Box Office but not because it is a bad film. Voices by John Hurt, Nigel Hawethorne and John Byner as Gurgi.
The Dungeonmaster has Richard Moll return to Fantasy.
Legend – Directed by Ridley Scott – featuring Tom Cruise, Tim Currey, Mia Sara. This film was a big score in terms of effects and setting but the story lags about half way. great performances by all the actors.
Ladyhawke was directed by Richard Donner. It starred Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick. This is a nice film with a bit of magic and romance.
1986
Amazons directed by Alejandro Sessa – featuring Mindi Miller, Penelope Reed and Joseph Whipp. Written by Charles Saunders who I assume is not Charles R. Saunders the S&S writer.
Labyrinth was the next Brian Froud film for Jim Henson. It starred Jennifer Connolly and David Bowie as the Goblin King. Music wasn’t bad either.
Highlander was directed by Russell Mulcahy, spawning a gonzo sequel and a much better TV show. The film was very influential despite its low budget. Sword & Sorcery set in modern times was actually a new idea.
Red Sonja Directed by Richard Fleischer–features Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwartenegger and Sandahl Bergman
She-Ra, Princess of Power (1985) – Produced by Filmation.
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom Directed by Hector Olivera–features Bo Svenson
1987
The Barbarians Directed by Ruggero Deodato
Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans Directed by Jim Wynorski
The Princess Bride was directed by Rob Reiner and based on the book by William Goldman. This classic is a fairy tale type fantasy with some nice spoofs of traditional tropes. It made a star of Cary Elwes.
Gor Directed by Fritz Kiersch–features Jack Palance and Oliver Reed. Based on the John Norman novels, this Italian cheapie starred Oliver Reed. (Good thing he was in Gladiator and won back some respect.)
Ator III: Iron Warrior Directed by Al Bradley–features Miles O’Keefe
Masters of the Universe (1987) – Directed by – featuring Dolph Lundgren, Frak Langella, Courtney Cox.
Outlaw of Gor Directed by John “Bud” Cardos–features Jack Palance
1988
Deathstalker III: The Warriors From Hell Directed by Alfonso Corona
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – BBC television production of C. S. Lewis. Directed by Marilyn Fox. The faithful adaptation combined puppetry, animation and live action. The effects are not stunning by today’s standards but the over-all product was well received. I remember Barbara Kellerman’s White Witch screamed a lot in ham actor style.
Willow – Directed by Ron Howard – featuring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis. Ron Howard’s The Lord of the Rings, this film also feels like a George Lucas film. he was the producer. Great design work by Chris Achilleos and Moebius.
1989
Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back Directed by Joe Finley.
Ator IV: Quest for the Mighty Sword Directed by Joe D’Amto – featuring Eric Allan Kramer.
The New Adventures of He-Man (Animated) (1989-1992)
Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawntreader – BBC’s second C. S. Lewis adaptation. Directed by Alex Kirby.
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II Directed by Charles B. Griffith–features David Carradine
Erik the Viking harkens back to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It was directed by Terry Jones. Is it funny? (Matter of opinion.) It starred Tim Robbins, John Cleese, Tim McEnnery (who would later be in Blackadder), Jim Broadbent, Neil Innes and Terry Jones.
The Legend of Zelda was based on the video game. It ran for one season.
There is no reason to believe films suddenly changed in 1990. It certainly did not. We will draw the curtain here until next time. Onto the 1990s…
THE DARK CRYSTAL: I’ve seen this one three or four times and I give up. Much as I love me some Muppets the appeal and charm of this one totally escapes me.
THE BEASTMASTER: A minor masterpiece. Shown often on the then fledging HBO and TBS who were limited in their content so they tended to run certain movies an awful lot. The popular joke was that HBO and TBS stood for “Hey, Beastmaster’s On” and “The Beastmaster Station”
THE SWORD & THE SORCERER: Became a minor hit because it had more Robert E. Howard in it than any of the other Conan knock-offs. Albert Pyun would never again make a movie anywhere as good as this.
CONQUEST: I recently saw this for the first time on the recommendation of a friend and it’s one of the trippiest S&S/Fantasy movies I’ve ever seen. Fun to see Fulci step way the hell outta his comfort zone for this one.
FIRE & ICE: Considering the talent involved in this (Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta did the animation, Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway wrote the screenplay) this should have been a whole lot better than it turned out to be. Like most S&S movies of the 1980s it coms off as just another Conan knock-off. Still, it’s worth your time to check out at least once.
KRULL: Another movie whose appeal is lost on me. The only thing I remember about this movie is that cool switchblade/boomerang thingie. From time to time I’ll get a request to review it and I always say; “not even if you paid me.”
LEGEND: Visually a knockout but it’s a movie with no energy or urgency. It’s worth watching on a slow Sunday afternoon if you have nothing else to do for Tim Curry alone.
AMAZONS: Yes, it was written by THAT Charles Saunders.
LADYHAWKE/LABYRINTH/HIGHLANDER: The only movies on this list besides the first Conan movie I would consider “Must See”
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: I actually saw it during it’s original theatrical run and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it as I was not a fan of the animated series.
WILLOW: Meh.