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80s Fantasy

post #1 of 111
Thread Starter 
Hey, guys. Just watched Dragonslayer, which I happened to like a lot. I also never even heard of it before catching it by accident on TV. Since I seem to be so ill-informed about the genre (outside of Beastmaster 2, goddamnit), anyone care to give any recommendations on any good 80s fantasy?
post #2 of 111
With the rare exception of Conan the Barbarian, they're all pretty bad, but if you must:

1) Krull. Great production values and score by James Horner- terrible, terrible hero character. Several moments worth watching, though.

2) Sword and the Sorcerer. Worth it for the slo-mo sword leap scene. Oh, and the end credits tell you to "watch out for the further adventures of whats-his-name in "The Caverns of Doom" (or something like that). I'm still waiting, guys!
post #3 of 111
Conan The Destroyer
PULL OUT DA HAWWWWWN! DA HAWN EES HIS LIIIIIFE!

Aside from the original Conan, I'm hardpressed to think of any 80's fantasy that holds up to adult viewing. Even Ridley Scott's Legend was kind of junky upon rewatching.
Sword And The Sorceror maybe, but that's essentially a moron film on par with The Beastmaster.
post #4 of 111
"Good" is a subjective term. While nothing in the 80's could be considered LOTR "good", there's a lot of fun, visually interesting, and downright so bad they're entertaining fantasy films from that era. Some standout suggestions:

"Excalibur" - Hands down the best Arthurian myth put to film, with some visually satisfying cinematography, a great take on Merlin courtesy of Nicol Williamson, and a smoking hot Helen Mirren as Morgana.

"Legend" - My avatar rates this film highly, specifically for Tim Curry's performance.

"Conan" - What is best in Life Conan? This movie.


For so bad they're good films, check out the following:

"The Beastmaster" - Worth it for Rip Torn's over the top psychotic priest performance.

"The Sword and the Sorcerer" - Lee Horslely and a lot of 80's grusome special effects made this a crowd pleaser.

"Hawk the Slayer" - So low budget it's frightening, but worth it for Jack Palance somehow overacting more than he did in "Batman"

"DeathStalker" - the epitome of 80's R rated low-budget fantasy, Blood, babes and beasts is what this flick is about. Special round of applause for Playboy guest model Barbi Benton.
post #5 of 111
Well, I don't think there's much of quality to recommend (if you stick with live action, that is). Besides Beastmaster (only the first is any good) there is Willow, which is kind of cheesy but full of great-looking scenery that would have fit into the LOTR easily (of course, it ws basically a LOTR rip-off and also filmed in New Zealand, I believe). And it's got Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, "the greatest swordsman who ever lived." Warwick Davis is pretty charming as Willow, too.

I like Dragonslayer. A movie like that could never be made today-- it would be full of hammy, anachronistic jokes. Peter MacNicol sure has come a long way since then, but I always identified with his character Galen, because he was nerdy and studious, but brave. I also like Ralph Richardson as the sorcerer, and it's cool to see the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid) go out like a punk. I'm surprised Disney allowed that scene to remain in the film, since the character was a Christian Priest who called upon the divine to challenge the dragon and was promptly roasted for it.

But the best thing about Dragonslayer, IMO, is the late Caitlin Clarke-- she was super-hot in this and I love her voice. She wasn't in anything else of note, unfortunately.
post #6 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed
anyone care to give any recommendations on any good 80s fantasy?
Jami Gertz.
post #7 of 111
Thread Starter 
Thanks all. I don't expect to find anything that good, just something to scratch my demon/sword/80s mullet itch. Anyway I'll check out a couple of these. Thanks.
post #8 of 111
There is always room for The Barbarians

right? eh? maybe?
post #9 of 111
I thought Beastmaster 2 was awful. I am a huge fan of The Beastmaster though. Tanya Roberts in her only good role outside of Charlie's Angels. Marc Singer's best role until V and V the final battle came along. John Amos is one of the best sidekicks ever. Rip Torn makes a very evil villian.

Beastmaster III The Eye of Braxis (SP?) was ok. Tony Todd and Casper Van Dien from StarShip Troopers also starred. The CBS series Wizards and Warriors is pretty good if you can find a copy. I do not think it is out on DVD or video tape though.

While not made in the 1980's Dragonheart with Dennis Quaid was very good. Dina Meyer while never being a great actress is perfect as the damsel in distress. The Odyssey by Robert Halmi Sr and Jr is fantastic. Armande Assante (also the best on screen Mike Hammer in I The Jury) truly is commanding as King Odysseus.

If you appreciate some futuristic 1980's fantasy, Thundarr The Barbarian is a true classic. It is a shame Thundarr is still not on DVD. Blackstar, while not as good is still entertaining.

I don't know if the Dtv of Conan Red Nails starring Ron Perlman will ever be released but it looks cool.

I also though Excalibur was fantastic.
post #10 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspberry Leper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed[/quote
anyone care to give any recommendations on any good 80s fantasy?
Jami Gertz.
It's probably too revealing of myself that my answer would have been Mary Lou Retton. I'm so ashamed.

Move along. Nothing to see.
post #11 of 111
I had no idea Caitlin Clarke had passed! This is sad news.
post #12 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by duke fleed
Here is a bunch of awful shit I like. Most of it doesn't meet your criteria and the rest is unavailable anyway. Hope this helps.
...
post #13 of 111
I would suggest you visit this thread.
post #14 of 111
Hey Bob, Ok I do add items that do not fit the above parameters for discussion, but some of these productions are similar enough to the main topic to be included.

Thundarr the Barbarian is basically Conan set in a postapocolyptic age.

Blackstar is based on a fantasy planet with Dragons, Trobbits aka Hobbits, wizards both male and female, and a heroic swordsman that fights The Overlord with swords. Thundarr and Blackstar were both 1980's fantasy.

Dragonheart, The Odyessy,Beastmaster 1-3 and Conan are all fantasy films, even if some of them were not made in the 1980's. Does He Man and the Masters of the Universe fit the criteria of this thread Bob?
post #15 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by duke fleed
Does He Man and the Masters of the Universe fit the criteria of this thread Bob?
No. And Thundar is NOTHING like Conan. They are children's cartoons, not ultra-violent live action movies.
The more meaningless pop culture trivia you regurgitate, the more you will be beaten like a cheap ho. You see, without applying any critical thinking or even the most basic sense of comprehension to your favorite shows, your posts will always be meaningless.
You've wasted your life.
post #16 of 111
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
I would suggest you visit this thread.
Thanks for the link. How the hell did I miss this?
post #17 of 111
Actually Bob, Thundarr was originally going to be a Conan animated series, and the network decided to turn it into a Post Apocalyptic sword and sorcery series.

Critical thinking, would that mean I would have to be a critic? I like what I like Bob. If I don't like something then I say it. Even if Thundarr is just a cartoon for children...It is 1980's fantasy. Violence alone does not cause a particular program or film to be in or excluded from a thread.

Bob, Sorry my tastes are too eclectic for me to be a cheap anything...garden utensil, Santa Claus's laugh notwithstanding.
post #18 of 111
post #19 of 111
From the other thread, "Ladyhawke", The chick flick of 80's fantasy films, really isn't that bad an entry, thanks to fairly decent performances by Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and the "Wargames reunion of Broderick and John Wood. It is, however, tough to watch thanks to the Alan Parsons Project trying to sound like Tangerine Dream soundtrack.
post #20 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed
anyone care to give any recommendations on any good 80s fantasy?
post #21 of 111
Ralph Bakshi's Fire & Ice. Bought it mainly because of the Frazetta connection and found it to be a modestly entertaining (if frankly, embarrassing) B-movie diversion. Bakshi's flimsy, assisted commentary would be a "take it or leave it" situation if there wasn't this astonishing moment in it when he refers to the evil, drooling ape-men in the film as "Frank's negroes".
post #22 of 111
Thread Starter 
I like where this thread's going. By the way I watched Sword and the Sorceror and found it pretty boring. But I liked the triple shooting sword and the scene where the movie turns into the ending of Staying Alive, including the pink smog and musical crescendo. The Sorcerer was a real bitch. All he did was jump off cliffs and get stabbed.
post #23 of 111
No love for a big old slab of cheese from 1984 called : Sword of the Valiant - ya got Sean Connery slathered in a green frosted make-up who has his head chopped off in the first few minutes of the film, and it only gets worse from that point on...

Trevor Howard, John Rhys-Davies, David Rappaport, Peter Cushing, Ronald 'Toth' Lacey and Miles O'Keeffe with his voice overdubbed by Peter Firth - all can be found slumming in this Golan-Globus production...

It's a bad film but the cast makes it fun to watch...
post #24 of 111
You should all be ashamed.

post #25 of 111
Oh man, am I gonna get it for this:

Willow.

Yeah, I said it. Yeah, I know the film has faults. But, it has an intangible appeal that I enjoy to this day(despite how derivative it is).
post #26 of 111
in general, I have no patience for the "fantasy" genre. Exception: The Princess Bride
post #27 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by dclaymoore
Oh man, am I gonna get it for this:

Willow.

Yeah, I said it. Yeah, I know the film has faults. But, it has an intangible appeal that I enjoy to this day(despite how derivative it is).
An oustanding Val Kilmer performance aside, I despise this movie. Ugh, so much potential and so, so bad. Then again, it may just be the midgets. They just give me the willies. Damn it, now they're stuck in my head and all I can think about is creepy midgets. This sucks.
post #28 of 111
I don't understand how anybody can still be supporting Willow. So, so bad.
post #29 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Death Surge
"Excalibur" - Hands down the best Arthurian myth put to film, with some visually satisfying cinematography, a great take on Merlin courtesy of Nicol Williamson, and a smoking hot Helen Mirren as Morgana.

"Legend" - My avatar rates this film highly, specifically for Tim Curry's performance.

"Conan" - What is best in Life Conan? This movie.

...

"Hawk the Slayer" - So low budget it's frightening, but worth it for Jack Palance somehow overacting more than he did in "Batman"
I forgot about these. The first 3 I don't know how I forgot about. "Hawk the Slayer" played alot on HBO or Showtime when I was a kid and I completely loved it. It's got some great music that elevates it a bit from the low-budget cheese that it is.

Also, I don't know why I forgot LadyHawke, because I own the DVD.
Death Surge, I'm glad you also threw in Fire & Ice. If you're already into the fantasy stuff it's worth sitting through. Also if you're into rotoscope animation or Frazetta chicks.

Greg, I'm glad you mentioned Clash of the Titans. For some reason I don't think of that film very often even though I adored it as a kid. It's one of the last old-school fantasy productions. Great vehicle for Harryhausen. I have to note that no actual titans clash in this film, though. And even though Bellerophon actually rode the pegasus in the Greek myths, I guess it looked alot cooler than sandals with little wings on them.

And Minsky, Krull may have a terrible hero, but he has one of the coolest weapons in fantasy film, wouldn't you agree?
post #30 of 111
LadyHawke would get a lot more recognition, I think, if the score wasn't so ear-rapingly awful. Everything else about the movie is pretty damn solid, especially Rutger Hauer.
post #31 of 111
Speaking of Hauer, would you catagorise 'Flesh and Blood' as fantasy?
...and even if you don't can I just say 'naked Jennifer Jason Leigh'?

Thank you.
post #32 of 111
I think Jim Henson The Storyteller should be included, although not quite a movie per say
post #33 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharpel007
I think Jim Henson The Storyteller should be included, although not quite a movie per say
The Hurt ones, definitely; the Gambon ones not so much.
post #34 of 111
Rip Torn's take on Thulsa Doom was awesome.

The Muppet mention brings to mind The Dark Crystal.
post #35 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacknifeJohnny
Ralph Bakshi's Fire & Ice. Bought it mainly because of the Frazetta connection and found it to be a modestly entertaining (if frankly, embarrassing) B-movie diversion. Bakshi's flimsy, assisted commentary would be a "take it or leave it" situation if there wasn't this astonishing moment in it when he refers to the evil, drooling ape-men in the film as "Frank's negroes".
Wow, really? I saw that flick and was struck by the fact that the Orcish subhumans all had darker skin, but assumed it was just a fluke. There's also a really odd moment where a bad guy fondles the fleeing hero's ass in slow motion.

Other than that, it is probably the best fantasy movie Bakshi's ever been associated with...not that that's saying much...
post #36 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Prankster
Other than that, it is probably the best fantasy movie Bakshi's ever been associated with...not that that's saying much...
"Wizards" is far better. While it's loaded with freeze framed art cells and simplistic rotoscoping, it's a far more entertaining film. Worth it for the "They Got Fritz!" sequence alone.
post #37 of 111
I'm sure it was mentioned in the other thread linked in this one (too lazy to check), but Lucio Fulci's CONQUEST is a jaw-dropping 80's fantasy flick. Jaw-dropping, not because it's a sweeping epic, but because the main villainess is naked the entire flick and it is extremely violent (a woman gets ripped in half starting at the crotch). There's wolf-men/zombie-ghouls/fish-ape-wtf-men and a barbarian sidekick that's very reminiscent of Frazetta's rendition of Conan. Goofy, magical special effects (think Hawk the Slayer), an energy bow (like the D & D cartoon), snake sex, and gore galore.

I recommend that anyone who hasn't seen this (that enjoys this genre) to go immediately to their Blockbuster/Netflix queue and rent this sucker. NOW.

FYI: The Blue Underground DVD release is fully uncut and restored.

A terrifying odyssey into the unreal. No shit.

post #38 of 111
Here's a weird note from "Hawk The Slayer"--the guy that played the elf (who I swear Orlando Bloom must have partially based Legolas on) had one of the more meaty parts in "United 93" (if you can call any of the parts really "meaty").
post #39 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
Here's a weird note from "Hawk The Slayer"--the guy that played the elf (who I swear Orlando Bloom must have partially based Legolas on) had one of the more meaty parts in "United 93."
That guy was a total Star Trek Vulcan (in Hawk). But he sure knew how to use a bow & arrow (and quick film edit).
post #40 of 111
I agree with Darkmite8 on the Conquest recommendation. That flick is great. A lot of cheese, but an awesome synth score, and I just love the bow effect.
post #41 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Eko
I agree with Darkmite8 on the Conquest recommendation. That flick is great. A lot of cheese, but an awesome synth score, and I just love the bow effect.
Seriously, CONQUEST virgins, stop what you're doing and let Fulci's subversively exploitive sword & sorcery schlock infect you. You'll thank me when it's over. Or you'll be too dumbfounded to speak. Don't worry, I translate that as gratitude, as well.
post #42 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Clark
LadyHawke would get a lot more recognition, I think, if the score wasn't so ear-rapingly awful. Everything else about the movie is pretty damn solid, especially Rutger Hauer.
The score's not all bad. Yes, it's remarkably, even ear-rapingly uneven, but Powell wrote some gorgeous moments for orchestra in there.
post #43 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Banks is my hero
The score's not all bad. Yes, it's remarkably, even ear-rapingly uneven, but Powell wrote some gorgeous moments for orchestra in there.
I still would like an alternate version with ORCHESTRA-ONLY. Give the 80's pop-band the wrong directions/schedule when organizing the re-recording, please.
post #44 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Prankster
Wow, really? I saw that flick and was struck by the fact that the Orcish subhumans all had darker skin, but assumed it was just a fluke. There's also a really odd moment where a bad guy fondles the fleeing hero's ass in slow motion.

Other than that, it is probably the best fantasy movie Bakshi's ever been associated with...not that that's saying much...
Though it was nice to see a Frazetta-inspired film on the screen, I recall Bakshi's Wizards being far more competent, original, and interesting.
post #45 of 111
And as far as great 80s Fantasy goes, I'm partial to this: Aldo Nova
post #46 of 111
Conquest trailer.

Words escape me - I am SO renting this tonight!
post #47 of 111
Conquest will be my first Fulci.
post #48 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy225
Conquest trailer.

Words escape me - I am SO renting this tonight!
That trailer's so dark, it doesn't do justice. But even a taste should be enough to convince the doubtful. Be prepared to have your soul decimated.

I also forgot to mention that the naked villainess wears a golden DESTRO mask.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy Jankis
Conquest will be my first Fulci.
It was mine as well.
post #49 of 111
I admit I haven't seen Wizards, but the ad I saw on TV once (for a rebroadcast--I'm not THAT old) didn't look promising. It seemed to have the same muddy visual style as Bakshi's LOTR, and one of the clips was of a dude in riot gear screaming, "You STUPID PINK FAIRY!!!" or something, which made me laugh. And I don't think it was supposed to. Fire & Ice at least is a legitimately beautiful movie.

Conquest is indeed like nothing you've seen before. It actually seems to be going for the "Stylized Heavy Metal Van Art" style decades before 300. Be warned, though, that there are some laughably bad parts (like the arrow attack...)
post #50 of 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Prankster
...there are some laughably bad parts (like the arrow attack...)
I think you mean awesomely awesome.
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