Dragonslayer (1981)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jens S

  
  This is one of the earliest fantasy films that dared to present a dragon and actually managed to pull it off. The story of the mage apprentice who has to step up to protect a realm from the fire-spitting monster is rather simplistic and we learn very little about the characters that… More
  This is one of the earliest fantasy films that dared to present a dragon and actually managed to pull it off. The story of the mage apprentice who has to step up to protect a realm from the fire-spitting monster is rather simplistic and we learn very little about the characters that inhibit it. The film still has a very unique and somewhat disconcerting atmosphere, which makes up for a lot. It's also smart enough to hide the dragon from our sights for the longest time. Once it enters the scene, it's pretty damn convincing even by today's standards. Even though the plot is far from generic and always keeps you uncertain about what's happening next, the movie does not manage to grip you entirely. Especially by today's standards it feels aged. The dragon is still impressive, though.

• Tim S

  
  This is not as terrible a film as I originally believed it to be. Actually I never really thought it was that terrible at all, but I may have been being a bit generous just because I enjoy these kinds of movies. The pace of the film is incredibly slow and lacks any sort leading… More
  This is not as terrible a film as I originally believed it to be. Actually I never really thought it was that terrible at all, but I may have been being a bit generous just because I enjoy these kinds of movies. The pace of the film is incredibly slow and lacks any sort leading character or protagonist for the audience to relate to or have things explained for them. Not all films need this sort of thing, but in a film like this, it's absolutely necessary. The effects work is fantastic and the story is pretty good, but it creeps along without a proper focus. The gore peppered throughout the film is also a bit jarring. Now, I like gore, but it feels out of character for what the filmmakers were trying to achieve with this. It tries to play things realistically and just let the gore be the gore, but it doesn't work well within the confines of a PG-rated environment. Personally, I enjoy it, but it is problematical, and contains definite allusions to J.R.R. Tolkien - intentional or not. :)

• AJ V

  
  A predictable, old story about having to slay a dragon, nothing new. It is exciting, though, and somewhat humorous. Overall, it's okay.

• Alexis N

  
  Lord Of The Rings + Star Wars + Legend + Willow = this pretty good for '81 but mostly annoying movie.

• Conner R

  
  It's no masterpiece, but it is essentially the only good dragon movie around. The sets and overall look of the movie is flawless and really sells it as a medieval fantasy. It's also extremely violent for no real reason which is an added bonus. While the lead actor is… More
  It's no masterpiece, but it is essentially the only good dragon movie around. The sets and overall look of the movie is flawless and really sells it as a medieval fantasy. It's also extremely violent for no real reason which is an added bonus. While the lead actor is terrible and in no way conveys a hero, the rest of the cast is great. Caitlin Clarke should have taken both roles as she is easily the best character in the whole movie. The dragon effects are great, they beat anything that was done before or since. It's a fun movie that has some very worthwhile elements and is essential to any fan of Dragons.

• Justin Y

  
  <i>Dragonslayer</i> is one medieval age dragon film that is better than it looks. It isn't a masterpiece, but it isn't a waste of a watch.<p>The story is a decent one, with nothing really out of the ordinary. An evil dragon must be slain. The pacing of… More
  <i>Dragonslayer</i> is one medieval age dragon film that is better than it looks. It isn't a masterpiece, but it isn't a waste of a watch.<p>The story is a decent one, with nothing really out of the ordinary. An evil dragon must be slain. The pacing of this 105 minute picture is moderate, with most of the action appearing at the end. This is no surprise. One of the problems here is that there is a lot of time spent with the main characters, and yet there still seems to be not enough development for them.</p><p>The creature and special effects aren't too bad. There are times when they are superb (for its time) and there are times when they aren't. The dragon itself tends to stay partially hidden until the latter parts of the film, which is a little bit of a disappointment. It's almost like the movie wants to save it all for the end, but it isn't necessary in this story.</p><p>The team of Walt Disney and Paramount come together to produce this picture and this is where many are thrown off. The rating is PG, but this is too generous. There is partial nudity and the violence is pretty darn bloody if I may say so. This is not a fun family Disney film.</p><p>A younger Peter MacNicol and pretty Caitlin Clarke are OK at carrying this picture. Ralph Richardson is the most impressive as Ulrich the magician.</p><p>Many people will feel the need to pass this up and that is a shame because this isn't all that bad. Sci-fi/fantasy fans should give this a try.

• Stephen M

  
  Combining elements of "Star Wars", "The Hobbit" and "King Kong", to name just three points of reference, this sword and sorcery fantasy wins no prizes for originality. However, it has much to recommend it, not least a tremendous visual feel for the Dark… More
  Combining elements of "Star Wars", "The Hobbit" and "King Kong", to name just three points of reference, this sword and sorcery fantasy wins no prizes for originality. However, it has much to recommend it, not least a tremendous visual feel for the Dark Ages, helped by good sets and excellent use of Scottish and Welsh locations. The effects work is generally superb and still looks great today. Though the cast is a bit dull on the whole, Peter MacNicol and Caitlin Clarke are appealing as the young leads. One aspect of the plot I liked a lot was how we see the first rumblings of Christianity beginning to supplant the prevailing pagan, magical traditions. All in all, this is agreeably dark and subversive for a Disney movie and superior to, for example, Ridley Scott's "Legend".

• Lafe F

  
  Dark and Dull. There's no fantasy here, only black smoke and a dismal medieval setting. There are no other monsters except the Dragon, so it's not much fun.

• xGary X

  
  I'm not a big fan of this genre, but this is really rather good. Much more intelligently written than most of this type, and the production design has a nicely convincing period feel. Anybody who mistakes Caitlin Clarke for a man must be blind, though!

• Steve K

  
  The best dragon ever put to screen, bar none.

• Doctor S

  
  Phil Tippett's dragon is great, Peter MacNicol completely sucks wizard wiener, get any halfway decent actor in the role and they would've had an '80s fantasy mini-classic. Also appearing is The Emperor himself Ian McDiarmid!

• Marion R

  
  Too bad it isn't even watchable enough for a replay

• Sean S

  
  The dragon is pretty genuinely scary. Keeps the tension high.

Read all 13 featured audience ratings