How they managed to cover this D&D film in a Christian veneer in the early 80's is unbelievable. But throw in a Catholic theme and the movie went right to the box office.This was obviously made for the 2nd Addition Advanced Dundeon's & Dragon's, crowd back in 1981. But there was this psychotic notion that everything fantasy was antichrist in that era. So, instead of a great tale set in the Forgotten Realm's, you get, Galen Bradwarden, wizard's apprentice, in what freaking country is this again?But they managed to keep it looking enough like a real D&D setting by avoiding too much cultural identity.You have the fighter, and the rogue, the wizard, and the only epic failure was the cleric.But it's good that the setting had to remain Earth, because the wizard could use a shield and a spear. Both totally contrary to conventional canon play.Another movie not too hard on girls and showing the capable nature of females as individuals of varying ranges.Yes, they had those in the 1980's.A great movie with lots to love, and my favorite dragon in cinema before the masterpiece, Reign of Fire.I wish they do a remake, just to get the RoF boys back behind the computers, but stick to the old movies feel and wardrobe esthetics. Peter MacNico, could play the new old wizard, and some strapping lad the new apprentice.

I saw this 3 times at the theater back in 81, I was 17 years old,and it made a giant impression on me,and here I am,36 years later,still finding myself utterly captivated by this amazing underrated film. Apart from Peter Nichols,who seems a little miscast,everything about this film works,watching it you can see it has aged really well,it's impossible to tell when exactly it was made,everything just feels right. Ralph Richardson is of course fantastic in his role as the sorcerer,the locations are marvelous,dark,misty dank,thick with atmosphere, and the score is Alex North's best work,his Dragon theme and scenes of it flying high in the atmosphere add an epic value to it all,just breathtaking. And of course,as so many have mentioned,Verminthrax Perjoritive,the Dragon,he is a terrifying awe inspiring sight to behold,the scene where you first get a good look at him,rising up from the side in the cave must be one of the best special FX I've ever seen,magnificent,then to see him crawling through the cave has an eerie believable look to it,like some fantastic documentary,it still leaves me slack jawed in awe. Even with all the amazing CGI out there,his design and movements still reign supreme,that's some achievement,worthy of recognition. One of a handful of truly great Fantasy films,Dragonslayer is a must see for any with even a casual interest in the genre.I think it's a wonderful film,that has grown in my eyes over the years.

I Remember "Dragonslayer" playing in constant rotation during the early days of cable TV as content filler to promote HBO subscriptions along the likes of "Beastmaster" which I'm sure we all remember getting sick of due to the annoying repetitive airplay. Oooh! Free HBO for a month!Saw "Dragonslayer" on Sundance today and couldn't keep from noting how well written, directed and photographed this movie was of its genre considering the limited technology of its day. I remember first seeing it at the theater having polished British production values and a realistic look and ambiance of fictional storybook medieval sorcery times similar to the first "Star Wars" movie and Ridley Scott's "Legend" but with a more lived in look. The extras, supporting cast, costumes, sets and landscape look hand picked and right for the era they were portraying.The plot is so well thought out and imaginative in how it portrays and deals with the menace of the dragon as well as how it ties together commentary on class and socioeconomic issues and a coming of age awareness of its youthful hero. It never drags or becomes long winded or boring. It moves along at a good pace.And Sir Ralph Richardson's minimalist, laid back acting style, commanding voice and bigger than life theatrical "aura" gives an amazing believability to the plot adding a special ambiance I didn't see in all of the "Lord of The Rings" flicks. It's the same theatrical ambiance the seasoned actor projects in another high British production value movie, "Time Bandits".I remember back then having to watch "Dragonslayer" several times on cable in order to distinguish listening through British spoken dialog the importance to the plot of the cryptic line... "ashes spread on burning water". I've never heard of a plot twist like that. What a cool way to deal with a insurmountable problem. "Star Wars" wasn't as sophisticated."Dragonslayer" is another one of those underrated perfect little movies that still holds up today. I actually like it more than "Star Wars".

Grew up watching this movie several times during the early/mid 80s, so my review is a little skewed/biased. Recently re-watched it and still enjoyed it for what it was: a fantasy-adventure. The set design and attention to details like spoken Latin, Costuming, Settings (Town and Castle) were very meticulous and competent and the dragon is very well done considering the dates the movie was created. I thought Ralph Richardson, John Hallam, and Caitlin Clarke had the strongest performances in the movie while Peter MacNicol, although energetic, doesn't quite fit the role. The music at times is good, but at other times out-of-place. Much of the cinematography is beautiful including backdrops of Scotland. Summarizing, the film seems a bit aloof, and sets up a standard romance - however the winning aspects of the movie are it's look and it's recreation of an Old World Society, Rulership, and melding of black arts (magic), sacrifice, and lottery (apparently mocking it). The script and dialog often is better than average and thoughtful. Fairly Recommended, and although some special effects have shown their age a bit, a good movie.