Plot: What’s it about?
“Dragonslayer” is another in what was the seemingly endless movies of the 80’s that had some sort of “Dungeons & Dragons” influence to it. It’s ironic that twenty years later, that same sort of movie would be raking in cash hand over fist and even become nominated for Best Picture along the way (I’m referring to “Lord of the Rings” of course). But comparing “Dragonslayer” and “Lord of the Rings” is like comparing apples to oranges. This is the anti-“Lord of the Rings” from almost every standpoint. Every effect is actually done with stunts and models as opposed to computers and I’m reminded of a famous quote “Uh, these effects aren’t very special…”. Then again, that’s also the film’s saving grace and it scores very high on the “camp value” meter as well. Set during the medieval times, we’re reminded of an era in history that we didn’t really think ever existed. Was there ever such a thing as a dragon? Did we really sacrifice virgins twice a year? Can you really kill a dragon with a sword and a shield? Regardless of what philosophical questions you might have, suffice it to say that the movie won’t answer all of them, but what we have here is a mildly-entertaining movie with some cheesy special effects. But what is it all about?
We find a sorcerer (Ralph Richardson) who is being approached by the local villagers as they need his help to fight a dragon. If they don’t sacrifice a virgin twice a year, the dragon will destroy the village. Almost as soon as we meet him, the sorcerer dies. However, the sorcerer’s apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNichol) takes the job. Galen casts a spell that causes an avalanche and supposedly kills the dragon. We know it doesn’t, however, or else the movie would only be about twenty minutes long. Galen’s new friend, he finds out, is a woman brought up to be a man so as not to get sacrificed to the dragon. But the town now believes the dragon to be dead and she feels is necessary to parade around in a dress (and wouldn’t you know it, she’s very attractive). The dragon makes it’s appearance and is rightfully ticked off and now it’s up to Galen to fight the dragon and kill him once and for all. Probably the scene I remember the most is in which Galen hides behind the shield made of scales of the dragon and a sword forged by his father. Too cool. “Dragonslayer”, more likely than not, has it’s share of a cult following and Paramount has given it the bare bones (er, bare scales) treatment. A nifty camp classic from the Regan era finds it’s way onto DVD, but without any supplements.
Video: How does it look?
“Dragonslayer”, somewhat of a cult-classic, has been given a new anamorphic transfer that shows off it’s 2.35:1 original aspect ratio. When the movie originally came out, we didn’t really think in terms of “widescreen”, we just watched the movie. After countless broadcasts on cable and older VHS releases, this is finally being shown as it was seen in theaters. Amazingly enough, it’s like watching the movie for the first time. A lot of the dirt has been removed and though the colors are very muted, it’s a pretty good-looking transfer for a movie now twenty years old. Edge enhancement is not a factor and the black levels (a very dark movie at times) appear to be within acceptable limits as well. Though a catalog title from Paramount, I do applaud their efforts here.
Audio: How does it sound?
In addition to the new transfer, we get a new Dolby Digital 5.1 mix as well. This has been converted from the surround mix that we all grew up listening to. Again, for a film of this age, we’ve certainly heard better and the new 5.1 mix does have its advantages; but it’s essentially a “better” version of the Dolby Surround mix that’s included on the disc as well. Dialogue sounds clear and clean and though the surrounds aren’t very active, they kick in at the right moment (and fans of the movie will know that moment). All in all, the audio isn’t disappointing, but by today’s standards it can’t compare.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Unless you count the new transfer and the 5.1 mix, no extras have been included.
