Dragonslayer (1981)
Average Rating: 6.4/10
Reviews Counted: 26
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 5
An atypically dark Disney adventure, Dragonslayer puts a realistic spin -- and some impressive special effects -- on a familiar tale.
Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2
An atypically dark Disney adventure, Dragonslayer puts a realistic spin -- and some impressive special effects -- on a familiar tale.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 23,824
My Rating
Movie Info
A special-effects laden medieval fantasy adventure, Dragonslayer centers on the attempts of a young sorcerer's apprentice to defeat a vicious dragon and save a lovely young maiden. Peter MacNicol stars as the young Galen, an aspiring magician under the tutelage of the aging Ulrich (Ralph Richardson). A nearby village turns to the pair for help when their leader begins proffering sacrifices of young virgins to satisfy a vicious dragon. The two immediately set out for battle, becoming even more
Jun 26, 1981 Wide
Oct 21, 2003
Paramount Pictures
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Cast
-
Peter MacNicol
Galen -
Caitlin Clarke
Valerian -
Ralph Richardson
Ulrich -
John Hallam
Tyrian -
Peter Eyre
Casidorous Rex -
Albert Salmi
Greil -
Sydney Bromley
Hodge -
Chloe Salaman
Princess Elspeth -
-
Ian McDiarmid
Brother Jacopus -
Ken Shorter
Henchman -
Douglas Cooper
Urlander -
Jason White
Henchmen -
Emrys James
Simon -
-
-
Roger Kemp
Horsrik -
James Payne
Urlander
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All Critics (27) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (5) | DVD (13)
The film excels as a visual exercise, as a study in adolescent psychology, and even as astute political analysis.
A well intentioned fantasy with some wonderful special effects, Dragonslayer falls somewhat short on continuously intriguing adventure.
Verges on the nasty for the nippers; sails close to déjà vu for fantasy fans; fated, probably, to damnation by faint praise.
Top CriticThe scenes involving the dragon are first-rate. The beast is one of the meanest, ugliest, most reprehensible creatures I've ever seen in a film, and when it breathes flames it looks like it's really breathing flames.
Mr. Robbins's overall accomplishment is one of creating a mood, and he does this well enough to make up for the film's occasional cumbersomeness.
An unknown treasure of a fantasy film and well worth a look for fans of the genre.
This film has smoky atmosphere, medieval sets, and rugged terrain strange enough to suggest far-off mythic lands; moreover, its special effects are positively staggering.
Vintage fantasy epic is great, despite a too-graphic death.
Saint George and the '80s
entertaining adventure
Looked far better when released due to tech aspects.
So-so dragon story with an amusing Ralph Richardson performance.
A fun little fantasy flick.
Dragonslayer transports us to a mysterious, exotic, and convincing ancient world.
Audience Reviews for Dragonslayer
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Foreign Titles
- Dragonslayer (1981) (DE)
- Dragonslayer (1981) (UK)
