| Major Cast | |
|---|---|
| Peter MacNicol | as Galen |
| Caitlin Clarke | as Valerian |
| Ralph Richardson | as Ulric |
| John Hallam | as Tyrian |
| Peter Eyre | as Casiodorus Rex |
| Albert Salmi | as Greil |
| Sydney Bromley | as Hodge |
| Chloe Salaman | as Princess Elspeth |
| Emrys James | as Valerian's Father |
| Roger Kemp | as Horsrik |
| Ian McDiarmid | as Brother Jacopus |
| Ken Shorter | as Henchman |
| Jason White | as Henchman |
| Yolande Palfrey | as Victim |
| Douglas Cooper | as Urlander |
| Alf Mangan | as Urlander |
| David Mount | as Urlander |
| James Payne | as Urlander |
| Chris Twinn | as Urlander |
| MPAA Rating: | PG |
| Production Companies: | * Paramount Pictures * Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributors (USA): | * Paramount Pictures (theatrical) * The Disney Channel (TV) * CBS (TV) * Paramount Home Video (VHS) * Pioneer (video/laserdisc) * RCA (video/CED VideoDisc) * Warner Home Video (DVD) |
| Language: | English |
| Release Date (US): | 06/26/1981 |
| Running Time: | 108 minutes |
| Domestic Box Office: | $6,000,000 |
| Foreign Box Office: | $? |
| Production Budget: | $18,000,000 (Est.) |
A dragon has been menacing the kingdom of Urland. Casiodorus Rex, its king, has made a pact with the dragon to keep the people safe: A virgin from the town, chosen by lottery, will be sacrificed at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. But the king's daughter Princess Elspeth, and the daughters of other wealthy citizens, never have their names entered in the lottery. Those who know about this find the arrangement unsatisfactory. Valerian is one such.
A delegation from Urland, led by Valerian, journeys many leagues to the residence of Ulric to implore the sorcerer's aid in dispatching the dragon. But they are met by the King's warrior Tyrian, who demands a test of this sorcerer. Ulric obliges him; calling for a dagger, he invites Tyrian to plunge it into his chest, averring that he will not be harmed. Yet he dies.
Taking Ulric's amulet, his apprentice Galen Bradwarden and his retainer Hodge head for the kingdom of Urland to fulfill Ulric's mission. But Tyrian shoots Hodge with an arrow. With his last breath, Hodge gives Galen his master's ashes and bids him remember: "Burning water."
Galen finds a kingdom in turmoil, beset by unrest over the unfair sacrifices. Using the amulet, Galen tries to bury the dragon by collapsing its lair, and apparently succeeds. But soon the dragon returns, laying waste to the kingdom. A lame attempt by a Christian priest results in nothing but his death.
Galen, imprisoned, informs the king's daughter Elspeth that the lottery is a scam. She confronts her father, who denies everything. Elspeth resolves to make sure her name is entered in the next lottery. She drugs the guards and breaks Galen out of his cell. While Galen and the blacksmith forge a spear to slay the dragon, Elspeth's name is chosen in the lottery. Galen, attempting to save her, is confronted by Tyrian. They fight; Tyrian is killed. Elspeth, freed by Galen. runs to the dragon's lair and is burned to ashes. Galen, wielding a shield of dragon scales made by Valerian, enters the lair and slays the dragon's young. But he is no match for the dragon, though he is safe from its fire. He reaches a lake which belches burning gases, and remembers Hodge's last words. He casts Ulric's ashes into the lake and the sorcerer is reborn. Commanding Galen to smash his amulet at the proper time, he goes forth to battle the dragon.
This film has a very well constructed plot, with plenty of action and enough twists to keep the viewer's interest. The special effects are good, especially in the climactic battle, and are not overdone. I rate the film excellent.
My Rating:
9 out of 10
Capsule review: This film delivers in all areas: acting, plot, special effects, action and suspense, and scenery.
| IMDB Rating: 6.7 | Raters: 11,663 |
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