Dragonslayer (1981)

[baumer]

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[IndustriousAngel]

One of very few fantasy films that really breathe some life into "history". And one of those Disney films (like "Tron" or "The Black Hole") that expanded their portfolio in an unexpected direction. Imagine a Disney film where the princess gets eaten (and we see even one of Vermithrax' offspring chewing on her leg ) - unconceivable!

What I like most here - apart from the nice sets and cinematography and, of course, the dragon - is an undercurrent of cynicism often missing from fantasy films. We meet members of different social groups - peasants, a wizard, the wizard's apprentice, a King and his daughter, the king's bullies, a priest - and basically most of them with the exception of the priest are really selfish men going each after his or her own advantage. That makes for a story we can relate to very well. Also, Peter MacNicol as Galen and Caitlin Clarke as the boyish Valeria are a very sweet couple. Probably everyone here has already seen this film, but if not, highly recommended!