Bear in mind a time when hair was massive, shoulder pads had been larger, and essentially the most urgent international concern was whether or not your hero may retrieve the magical amulet earlier than the evil sorcerer plunged the world into everlasting darkness? Ah, the Nineteen Eighties – a really golden age for Sword & Sorcery cinema! This was an period unapologetically brimming with oiled pectorals, fearsome (and infrequently charmingly rubbery) monsters, damsels in dire want of rescuing (or doing the rescuing themselves!), and quests so epic they made your D&D campaigns appear like a stroll within the park.
We’re speaking a few style that did not simply entertain; it transported us to far-off lands the place magic was actual, prophecies had been a each day incidence, and the destiny of kingdoms usually rested on the sting of a well-forged (and often outsized) blade. From the gritty realism of Cimmerian battlefields to the dazzling, day-glo landscapes of alien worlds, 80s Sword & Sorcery movies provided an escape hatch into pure, unadulterated fantasy.
So, seize your +1 Sword of Nostalgia, as a result of we’ve spent numerous hours battling by means of the archives (and our VHS collections) to convey you absolutely the cream of the crop – 20 movies that signify the may, the magic, and sure, typically the magnificent cheese, of this unforgettable cinematic increase.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
What’s greatest in life? Watching Arnold Schwarzenegger embody Conan, that is what! This is not only a film; it is a primal scream of loincloths, ludicrously giant swords, and essentially the most epic Basil Poledouris rating ever solid. We adore it as a result of it took S&S lethal severely (principally), gave us unforgettable villains like Thulsa Doom, and mainly set the bar for brooding, muscle-bound heroes. Crush your enemies, see them pushed earlier than you, and listen to the lamentations of anybody who hasn’t seen this masterpiece.
The Beastmaster (1982)
Overlook your fancy CGI animal sidekicks; Dar had precise ferrets he may sic on dangerous guys, plus an eagle and a few very chill panthers. The Beastmaster is pure, unadulterated 80s fantasy consolation meals. Marc Singer’s earnest hero, Rip Torn’s scenery-chewing villain, and a world brimming with that barely dusty, sun-baked magic make this one a perennial favourite. We like it for its coronary heart, its charmingly dated results, and for making us all want we may discuss to animals (particularly ferrets with perspective).
Krull (1983)
Oh, Krull. You magnificent, overstuffed, splendidly bizarre beast of a film! It is bought cyclops, changelings, an alien fortress that teleports, and the Glaive – arguably the good fantasy weapon ever that appears prefer it may take your complete hand off. We’re right here for its sheer ambition, its bonkers mix of sci-fi and fantasy, and the truth that it throws completely every thing on the display. It won’t all stick, however what a trip! Plus, a younger Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane? Sure, please!
Conflict of the Titans (1981)
Earlier than CGI took over, we had the genius of Ray Harryhausen, and Conflict of the Titans is his superb swan track. Medusa, the Kraken, Bubo the mechanical owl – these weren’t simply monsters; they had been artworks! This movie brings Greek mythology to life with such allure and wide-eyed marvel. We cherish it as a result of it reminds us of a time when film magic felt tangible, and each stop-motion creature was a minor miracle. The gods themselves would approve!
Purple Sonja (1985)
Brigitte Nielsen as a flame-haired warrior swinging an enormous sword? Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoying… nicely, mainly Conan-but-not-Conan? Signal us up! Purple Sonja is peak 80s cheese, an excellent symphony of huge hair, larger swords, and dialogue that most likely sounded higher on paper. However you already know what? We adore it for its unapologetic silliness, its vibrant comic-book aesthetic, and for giving us a feminine warrior who may (nearly) out-muscle Arnie. A real responsible pleasure.
Willow (1988)
When George Lucas and Ron Howard workforce up for a fantasy epic, you get Willow. This movie has such a heat, adventurous spirit, with Warwick Davis main the cost because the endearing Nelwyn hero. Brownies, trolls, a two-headed dragon, and Val Kilmer at his most rakishly charming as Madmartigan – it is pure 80s fantasy pleasure. We maintain it expensive for its coronary heart, its memorable characters, and for proving that even the smallest hero can save the world (with slightly assist from a magic acorn).
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Uncover the journey of the Backdraft solid from 1991 to 2024. From Kurt Russell’s enduring allure to Robert De Niro’s legendary performances. Find out about their latest tasks and pay tribute to the late Donald Sutherland on this nostalgic take a look at a cinematic basic.
Legend (1985)
Ridley Scott determined to make a fairy story, and he delivered a visible feast that’s so beautiful it nearly hurts to take a look at. Legend is darkish, dreamy, and options Tim Curry because the Lord of Darkness – one of the vital iconic demonic designs in cinema historical past, interval. Tom Cruise is the forest boy, however let’s be sincere, we’re all right here for Darkness. We admire it for its breathtaking visuals, its haunting environment, and for being a fairy story that is not afraid to get severely creepy.
Excalibur (1981)
John Boorman’s Excalibur is not only a retelling of Arthurian legend; it is a heavy metallic opera in shining armor. It is brutal, it is mythic, it is bought Nicol Williamson’s splendidly eccentric Merlin, and it makes use of O Fortuna to utterly epic impact. That is S&S for the art-house crowd, unafraid to be each stunning and completely weird. We respect it for its ambition, its gorgeous visuals, and for making chivalry look so extremely cool and harmful.
Dragonslayer (1981)
Overlook your pleasant, misunderstood dragons; Vermithrax Pejorative in Dragonslayer is an absolute terror, and among the finest dragons ever placed on movie, palms down. This film is grittier and darker than a lot of its friends, with a younger sorcerer’s apprentice dealing with actually terrifying odds. We applaud it for its unbelievable sensible results (that dragon!), its critical tone, and for making us genuinely imagine that dragon-slaying is a messy, terrifying enterprise.
The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
Three blades are higher than one, proper? Talon and his triple-bladed sword definitely thought so! The Sword and the Sorcerer is a rollicking, B-movie journey that is aware of precisely what it’s and has a blast with it. Evil kings, damsels in misery (and distressingly few garments), and a hero who’s clearly having the time of his life. We adore it for its unpretentious enjoyable, its over-the-top motion, and that ridiculous, superior sword. Pure 80s S&S swagger.
Hawk the Slayer (1980)
Mindswords, giants, elves, and a dwarf who sounds suspiciously like he is from a distinct fantasy franchise – Hawk the Slayer is a British cult basic that oozes low-budget allure. It is earnest, it is a bit clunky, nevertheless it’s bought a weirdly endearing high quality that followers have cherished for many years. We have included it for its sheer memorable oddness and for representing that plucky, let’s make a fantasy movie! spirit. And sure, the theme tune will get caught in your head.
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Okay, so it’s not as gritty or epic as the primary Conan, however Conan the Destroyer continues to be a heck of plenty of enjoyable. Arnold’s again, Grace Jones is totally iconic as Zula, and Tracey Walter steals scenes because the cowardly thief Malak. It’s extra of a D&D quest than a brooding epic, and we respect it for leaning into the journey, giving us some memorable set items (that ice fortress!), and simply typically being a lighter, extra accessible romp by means of Hyboria.
Ladyhawke (1985)
A cursed knight who’s a wolf by night time, his lover who’s a hawk by day, and Matthew Broderick because the wisecracking thief caught within the center – Ladyhawke is pure romantic fantasy gold. Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer are a dream workforce, and the Alan Parsons Undertaking soundtrack, whereas divisive, is undeniably 80s. We like it for its sweeping romance, its stunning medieval European places, and for making us imagine in love conquering all, even pesky bishop-induced curses.
Deathstalker (1983)
If you happen to’re searching for the quintessential Roger Corman-produced, South American-shot, low-budget S&S epic, Deathstalker is your champion. It’s bought a hero named Deathstalker (clearly), an evil wizard, loads of gratuitous nudity, and motion scenes which might be… enthusiastic. We embrace it for its shameless B-movie power, its skill to ship precisely what its target market wished, and for spawning a complete legion of equally tacky sequels. A ceremony of passage for S&S followers.
The Barbarians (1987)
The Barbarian Brothers, Peter and David Paul, are a power of nature on this gleefully over-the-top movie. Oiled muscle mass, questionable performing, and a plot that feels prefer it was written on a dare – The Barbarians is an absolute blast for those who’re in the proper temper. It’s so honest in its silliness, you possibly can’t assist however grin. We have a good time it for its sheer, unadulterated 80s extra and for proving that two beefy twins are higher than one in terms of combating evil (and sporting fur loincloths).
The Warrior and the Sorceress (1984)
David Carradine as a stoic, flute-playing warrior in a knock-off of Yojimbo however with extra fantasy parts? Sure, please! The Warrior and the Sorceress is pure B-movie magic, stuffed with weird creatures, scantily clad warriors, and Carradine being effortlessly cool amidst the chaos. It’s on our listing as a result of it completely captures that something goes spirit of 80s fantasy filmmaking, the place story (even a borrowed one) and a few enthusiastic results had been all you wanted for time.
See David Carradine in The Lengthy Riders:
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Hundra (1983)
Earlier than Xena, there was Hundra! Laurene Landon stars as a fierce warrior girl who’s the final of her tribe, tasked with discovering a mate to proceed her individuals. It is a standout as a result of it places a robust, impartial feminine warrior entrance and middle, kicking butt and taking names. We champion Hundra for its empowering (for the time) protagonist and for being a rip-roaring journey that confirmed girls may wield a sword simply in addition to any barbarian man.
Sorceress (1982)
Twinsploitation meets sword and sorcery! This Jim Wynorski-directed flick options twin sisters with magical powers, an evil wizard, and a complete lot of gratuitous 80s B-movie shenanigans. It’s tacky, it’s a bit sleazy, nevertheless it’s additionally a ton of enjoyable for those who’re into that particular model of low-budget fantasy. We’re together with Sorceress as a result of it’s an ideal instance of the wild, usually R-rated, facet of the S&S increase {that a} sure type of fan completely lives for. Plus, animal transformations!
Barbarian Queen (1985)
Lana Clarkson (RIP) completely owns the display as Amethea, a fierce warrior queen main a insurrection. Barbarian Queen is one other gem from the Roger Corman B-movie manufacturing facility, delivering precisely what it guarantees: a robust, stunning heroine, loads of motion, and a wholesome dose of 80s exploitation allure. It is right here as a result of it is an unapologetically enjoyable trip that, like Hundra, put a strong girl on the coronary heart of the S&S chaos, and we like to see it.
Wizards of the Misplaced Kingdom (1985)
If you happen to ever wished to see what occurs when Roger Corman will get his palms on a ton of inventory footage and tries to weave a fantasy epic round it, Wizards of the Misplaced Kingdom is your reply. It is famously, splendidly horrible, with a bumbling hero, a wise-cracking creature sidekick (who seems to be suspiciously like one thing from one other film), and a plot that hardly holds collectively. We have included it as a testomony to the sheer audacity of low-budget filmmaking and since, actually, its cheesiness is famous. A real so dangerous it is good S&S expertise.
Past the Blade: Particular Mentions That Sizzle & Endure
Alright, adventurers, whereas our foremost quest targeted on the basic live-action Sword & Sorcery epics, a few absolute titans from the 80s demand their second within the solar (or the dramatic, lightning-filled highlands). They could bend the style guidelines a tad, however their impression and sword-wielding awesomeness are simple!
Fireplace and Ice (1983)
If Frank Frazetta’s legendary fantasy work got here to life and began a bar battle, you’d get Fireplace and Ice. This rotoscoped animated marvel from Ralph Bakshi and Frazetta himself is pure, unadulterated pulp fantasy goodness. We’re speaking scantily clad heroes and heroines, hulking subhuman warriors, and a villain named Nekron who actually, actually likes ice. It will get a particular shout-out as a result of its visible fashion is so distinctive and influential, completely capturing that uncooked, primal S&S really feel {that a} thousand live-action movies may solely dream of. Plus, Darkwolf is simply undeniably cool.
Highlander (1986)
There will be just one… movie this superior that blends historic sword fights with an 80s rock opera sensibility! Highlander is likely to be extra city fantasy with a sci-fi twist, however these epic flashbacks to feudal Scotland and past, the conflict of immortal blades, and Clancy Brown’s completely unhinged Kurgan give it critical S&S avenue cred. We needed to give it a particular point out as a result of the lore is improbable, the Queen soundtrack is famous, and the sheer, electrifying thrill of The Quickening is one thing each fantasy fan must expertise. It is a type of magic, certainly.
