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All Flixster 3.0 Stars (593) Want To See 255 Not Interested 2406
Female 3.0 Stars (225) Want To See 97 Not Interested 911
Male 3.0 Stars (368) Want To See 158 Not Interested 1495

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Plot: Lean, lanky Lee Horsley (TV's Matt Houston is hardly the iconic image of a medieval warrior, but in this cheesy Conan the Barbarian knockoff he makes his swaggering, mercenary Talon a ...( read more read more... )genial smart aleck of a barbarian hero. The plot is pure pulp cliché: evil Cromwell (Richard Lynch) raises a demon to conquer a peaceful kingdom, kill the rulers, and imprison the royal heirs, and the son of a murdered patriot returns to take his righteous vengeance with a projectile-loaded, three-bladed sword. First-time director Albert Pyun apprenticed under Akira Kurosawa and brings with him an eye for handsome images and a fluid sense of action that helps overcome B-movie dialogue ("Unlock this door, wench, and leave that to us!"), scenery-chewing performances, and bargain-basement budget. In one fight sequence a guard punches a rock wall--and dents it! Kathleen Beller (the dark-eyed beauty of The Betsy) is the rebel princess who enlists Talon to the cause, Route 66's charming wanderer George Maharis is a conniving traitor under an unflattering mop of greasy hair, and Richard Moll dons a latex monster mask to play the double-crossed demon. It's utterly silly and often awkward, but it does have energy to spare. The sequel promised at the end of the film was never produced and Pyun went on to direct some of the best straight-to-video action films of the 1990s, including Nemesis. --Sean Axmaker

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Recent Reviews


  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 23, 2008
    One of the better fantasy films produced in the early 80's and one of my guilty pleasure movies The Sword and the Sorcerer was a hit at the box office. I've watched this film countless times over the years, and its effect on me is every bit as strong as an adult, as it was when I was a boy.

    While not the highest-budgeted fantasy ever made, this movie deserves extra praise for its atmosphere. The filmmakers did the best they could with what they had, and despite the obvious camp factor, the scenery manages to be intriguing and eye-catching all at the same time.

    The performances are also more than worthy of note. Richard Lynch, the perennial sci-fi villain, performs beautifully as Cromwell; he simply exudes evil. Lee Horsley does an admirable job of playing the rogue Talon in his first feature film. Kathleen Beller makes a strong, yet sensual heroine in her portrayal of Alana, and Simon MacCorkindale truly shines in one of the movie's best scenes, in the torture chamber with Cromwell. And what more can I say about Xusia? He's awesome. Living proof that sorcery doesn't always have to be flashy to be deadly.

    Of course, the swords themselves deserve special mention. They're so outrageous, you just can't help but love them! I tend to think of Albert Pyun as one of the few directors who could dream up something so brazen and actually make it appealing to the masses.

    But above all, the fun factor is what makes this movie most enjoyable. This is the film that is the camp cousin of Conan the Barbarian

    While it's definitely not for realists (as if there is such a thing when it comes to fantasy!), those who can manage to suspend their disbelief long enough to be drawn into this magical world should find themselves greatly entertained. Just relax, and have fun with it. You'll like it.
  • 2.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 21, 2008
    very very very 80's cheesy sword and magic movie here ..
    the main character does tote a cool sword though
  • 1.5 Stars
    MCT:
    April 15, 2008
    I laughed hysterically when I saw Matt Houston as a medieval warrior. Great comedy, even though it's not meant to be so.
  • Want To See
    MCT:
    February 3, 2008
    Want to see at some point in the future...

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  • 1.5 Stars
    MCT:
    October 28, 2007
    Very, very silly, and quite hilarious. Not enough so to keep me awake through the entire thing, though...

    The triple sword was actually kind of ingenious.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    August 19, 2007
    It may be cheese--but it's good cheese.
    One of the better low budget fantasy epics of the early 1980's.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 23, 2007
    A really cool movie, on of the classic 1983 B-movies that is never out of style. A great film with action and fantasy, and underrated film with a great cast.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 19, 2007
    One of the most overlooked and underrated gems to come out of the wake of the early 80's sword and sandal fantasy films. I place this one on the same shelf with my other favorite flick, Conan the Barbarian. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 4, 2007
    he is one rouged looking sexy hunk of a guy not many people reialize but lee horsley played in a western too. yummy
  • 2.0 Stars
    MCT:
    March 16, 2007
    Man, I was crazy for this film as a kid. Violent and cool as hell. This also is the film that taught me sometimes it's better not to revisit your childhood by watching these films as an adult. Much like I wouldn't find it much fun to run around the backyard pretending to be Rambo, this fim doesn't really appeal to the grown up mind. Maybe now that I've been disappointed, I can now watch it for it's cheese value.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    February 8, 2007
    I saw this when I was a kid and it blew me away. I feared when seeing it again after all these years it would be awful. How wrong can a man be. Lee Horsley of Matt Houston fame is on top form with his wry wit and heroism. Richard Lynch is the Villian, for a change and he exudes evil. Incredibly cheaply made film with good rubber gore and a terrific score that keeps the blood moving.
    I can't recommend this film enuff!!!!
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    January 18, 2007
    Oh, the cheese factor is so high on this one, but you've got Richard Lynch as an evil king, Richard Moll as the evil sorcerer, Matt Houston as the "hunky" hero, and the eternally twelve-years-old Kathleen Beller as the gutsy maiden!!
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    August 20, 2006
    This movie WOULD be decent, I guess, if my brother and I hadn't treated it as a spoof. But really, a sword with three parallel blades? Two of which shoot as ranged weapons? Laughable. Very laughable. But, hey, it's a good thing here.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 6, 2006
    The story line here is a familiar one for fantasy buffs - Evil leader wants more power so kills rival leader. Son of deceased King vows vengeance. Many years pass and said son is now skilled warrior who single-handily slaughters opposing army and beds distressed maiden. However, there are a number of aspects here that ensures this film is more enjoyable than the standard fare.

    Firstly, there is the ridiculously unwieldly 3 bladed sword which not only shatters metal but can also shoot out its blades! Secondly, the main hero isn't played by a dense block of wood (a la DEATHSTALKER) but instead carries an air of Errol Flynn style swashbuckling mixed with a dash of Indiana Jones rogue charm (well that maybe pushing it but you get the idea). Credit is also due to whoever came up with the idea of him still being able to after being crucified! Finally even though the film runs for a 100 minutes it doesn't drag, obviously the director understood that he was making a tongue-in-cheek action movie rather than a sociological drama... The female lead also goes against the grain in that she spends more time kneeing men in the groin rather than shedding her clothes every 5 minutes.

    There are some drawbacks, the main one being the under use of Richard Moll's character and the meandering plot but overall this is a decent piece of fantasy cinema. Worth a look.

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