MovieChat Forums > The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) Discussion > Good or bad

Good or bad

posted 20 years ago by ash93
23 replies | jump to latest

This is one of those so bad it's good films. Some of the roles were seriously mis-cast, the action and weapons were hokey and generally it's pretty awkward. However, it is so bad it's funny to watch. This cam out at a time when there were a number of fantasy/swordfighting films coming out. This is certainly not in league with Conan the barbarian, Dragonslayer, Clash of the titans or even Beastmaster. However, it is probably better than Conan the destroyer, Red Sonja and Hawk the slayer. I got my copy for 5.99 at K-mart.

[–] buckaroobanzai50 20 years ago

I can recall seeing this on TV in the '80s when I was in my teens, and liking it a lot. I recorded it, and am able to enjoy it again and again. I know it's on DVD but as there are no extras included, besides a trailer, I won't be investing. A lot of people have wrongly critisized this movie, as it obviously is made with tongue in cheek, and clearly wears it's Conan influences for all to see. Matt Houston's Lee Horsely is a good hero, and Pam Bellwood (where's she these days?) is okay as his winsome love interest. The perrenial Mr. Lynch, forever playing villians, turns up too, and does his thang as baddie Cromwell. The three bladed sword is a bit James Bond, but doesn't intrude on the proceedings too much.

It hasn't to my knowledge, been shown on terrestial TV since, maybe because it's very gory indeed, and was slated for that reason apparently, on it's theatrical release. But if you're a Sci-Fi fantasy fan like me, you expect to see the odd heart being ripped-out...Or hand severing.

[–] 141-OKG 19 years ago

It's was on the cable Cinemax (OT Max or Action Max - one of the expansions) 2 or 3 years ago. Then it was on late-night on sci-fi, but seems to be laying-low for awhile now.
$5.99 sounds good to me, if I can find one -thanks!

Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, it doesn't go away.
Philip K. Dick, VALIS

[–] Tsotha-lanti 19 years ago

It's a strange film. Not in the league of Plan Nine From Outer Space bad.

I compare it to Conan the Barbarian or Zardoz: enjoyable films, but "deeply flawed" as the reviewers say, wherein if their directors had made one or two choices differently, they would all have been great films.

[–] Tsotha-lanti 19 years ago

Pam Bellwood (where's she these days?)

You're having trouble finding her because her real name is Kathleen Beller. ;)
I think she gained some weight.

[–] Wuchak (8079) 6 years ago

Yeah, Pam Bellwood is nowhere to be seen in this movie, unless it's a quick un-credited cameo.

[–] mhiggins-10 17 years ago

I agree, this is a fun movie. It's actually not that graphic – there are equally gory scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom (heads exploding, faces melting off, hearts being ripped out). And there are definitely nods to Indiana Jones in the scene where Talon is being chased round the castle after freeing Mikah.

[–] rams_lakers 19 years ago

Bah, Beastmaster is not better than this. They came out at about the same time and are basically so close resembling that it's uncanny. In a movie like these I would choose Lee Horsley over Mark Singer as the main lead every time. Beastmaster is played more on cable because it is less gory. I would take Sword and the Sorcerer over Beastmaster any time. Dragonslayer was so slow it was boring, I wouldn't put that one on top either.

One thing I have a problem with in Sword and the Sorcerer is when someone is crucified with large nails in the palms, doesn't it scew up the tendons to make them unable to wield a sword? I know the movie is fantasy but that was a little too far fetched.

[–] docdoomm 19 years ago

<<One thing I have a problem with in Sword and the Sorcerer is when someone is crucified with large nails in the palms, doesn't it scew up the tendons to make them unable to wield a sword? I know the movie is fantasy but that was a little too far fetched.>>

It's all about rage, baby!

Despite it's flaws, I rank S&S as the #2 best Fantasy Adventure movie ever. Conan The Barbarian gets #1, mainly for its more polished production and more serious tone. I really like Beastmaster, but no way it tops S&S.

Remember Dennis Miller said HBO stands for Hey! Beastmaster's On!

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Tsotha-lanti 18 years ago

Joe Regalbuto as Darius was one of the film's biggest mistakes.

[–] boobum123 18 years ago

I love this film and return to it often. For me it has the just the perfect tone and approach for a fun fantasy-action film (less ponderous than Conan the Barbarian or Dragonslayer, nor a lazy,leaden mess in the manner of Kull or Krull). I find it has much the same appeal as the Dino de Laurentiis production of Flash Gordon. All it sets out to do is provide you with a colourful, fun and exciting ninety minutes of screen-time in which aim it succeeds admirably. It's a shame that Tales of the Ancient Empire never made it into production (strange too considering that although this movie looks to have cost considerably less than Conan the Barbarian to produce it didn't make that much less at the box office back in 1982). Still,to my mind if ever there was a movie crying out for a big-money remake it's this one.

[–] jrgen-thuresson 18 years ago

Nah. A remake with a bigger budget would ruin it. Cheesines usually doesnt survive that and cheesines is an integral part in movies like this. :)

"I'm selfdestructive baby
But a friendly one" - Spiritual Beggars.

[–] lovecraftfan 18 years ago

It had such a promising start -the isle of the dead etc spiralled down hill from there -triple bladed weapons . crucified then fighting immediately after etc

[–] bsrain 16 years ago

"One thing I have a problem with in Sword and the Sorcerer is when someone is crucified with large nails in the palms, doesn't it scew up the tendons to make them unable to wield a sword? I know the movie is fantasy but that was a little too far fetched."

======

In the book, his triple sword is magical. So when his homie Frank throws him the sword during the battle scene, it heals his wounds.

[–] Xcalat3 17 years ago

it was good

6/10

I Worship The Goddess Amber Tamblyn

[–] walsh90210 17 years ago

Thanks to everyone that gave lists of movies along these lines. I remember most as a kid and I'm trying to see them all again with Blockbuster.com To my surprise they actually have Hawk the Slayer for rent.

Are there any more titles I may have missed? In my list I have Willow and Legend added. Granted those aren't nearly as graphic but still in the same genre.

I was really impressed by The Sword and the Socerer. Sure by today's standards parts look dated but I could see people being amazed or grossed out by some of the effects back in the day. I always liked the skin shedding/morph trick back in those days. To me that stuff looks better than the current CGI stuff.

[–] askerud 17 years ago

You definitely should check out Ladyhawke and The princess bride. I also hear that the Lord of the rings trilogy could be worth watching.

[–] zerogirl42 17 years ago

Sorry, this is just a bad film. I didn't find it so bad it was good.

[–] gc123517 17 years ago

I watched Conan the Barbarian in 1982 and thought it was great. I saw Sword and the Sorcerer in 2007 and thought it was cheesy hokey bad. Some of the effects with Xusia were impressive, but the fighting was poorly choreographed. The fight at the end between Cromwell and Talon was decent, but more for its effects than choreography. I'm sure if I had seen this movie in 1982 it would rate higher in my opinion, but it doesn't stand the test of time. Conan, on the other hand, holds up better over the years simply because it was a more solid and credible production. Sword and the Sorcerer reminded me of Zardoz, Krull, or Ice Pirates, and even Beastmaster and its sequels. A lot of the comparisons in this thread are very valid. It brings to mind many "B" fantasy/science fiction movies from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. And even some shows from the 90's like Hercules. This movie would fit in well with a collection of this genre. Xusia's transformation even reminded me of An American Werewolf in London, so you can see that even 80's horror films fit in here. Richard Lynch won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] CelebHeights 8 years ago

This is one movie I wish a blu-ray existed for.

It is one of the best fantasy films I've seen...I enjoyed it thoroughly and rank it ahead of Beastmaster, Conan the Barbarian and light years in front of Red Sonja.

The musical score is absolutely tremendous.

[–] whitecats 8 years ago

Seriously, you would rate it above Conan? The gold standard for blood and sandals fantasy.