Dragonslayer (1981) First Time Watching Reaction & Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2024
- First time reaction and brief review of the movie "Dragonslayer". Future Reaction Polls + Early Access + Exclusive Content. Available on Patreon: / alexachipman
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Reaction
16:30 Review
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Dragonslayer is the greatest dragon movie ever made, with the greatest dragon ever,Vermithrax Pejorative. It’s an insanely underrated fantasy movie.
I think the Christianity was added to show that it was a time of cultural change, like the blacksmith saying the magic was leaving the world.
That's my take also. It's symbolic of the passing of an era of belief. Although, quite why that villager decides to take up the role of priest, after witnessing Ian McDermid's, somewhat less than optimal, performance against an actual physical foe, escapes me...
@@tombaxter6228 The Actor in that Scene was Albert Salmi, Who had a Prolific Career in both Films and Television-He appeared in episodes of the Twilight Zone, Lost In Space, Night Gallery, Gunsmoke, Knight Rider-And Dozens of Movies like Caddyshack, Brubaker, Empire of the Ants, The Ambushers, Escape From the Planet of the Apes, and Viva Knievel. Sadly, His life came to a Tragic End when he was involved in a Dispute with his Spouse that turned Violent resulting in a Murder Suicide in which he was the Culprit. Salmi seemed to play mostly Bad Guys in many of his roles. Somehow he became one in real life.
In the scene at the dragon's carcass, most people will recognize how the Christians represent religion and religious understanding of the mysteries, but very few people will recognize how the king represents worldly authority and materialistic understanding. The king sticks his sword in the dragon and pridefully claims that he killed it, even though we've already been shown how his forces were utterly helpless against it.
The final scene where the horse magically appears is meant to indicate the inadequacy of both the religious perspective AND the secular perspective. Despite what men might claim, the "magic" and mystery of life remains, and man's thoughts and man's ways are insufficient to explain it.
It's a sign of the times how most people in the 2020's will immediately recognize what the humble religious group represents, but most people will completely miss what the prideful king represents. Because most people today are under the spell of secular authority and believe it has the power to unravel the mysteries and slay the dragons.
agreed she didnt seem to understand that just as paganism was dying, so was dark majic with it as part of it all
Agreed & I thought it was fairy obvious, the sense of the old giving way to the new religiously & politically gave the film optimism, as they became enlightened.
Also princesses NEVER die in films making it predictable, BUT here they do
To be precise the effects team employed an improvement on stop-motion which they referred to as "go-motion". For each single frame exposure of the dragon model, instead of a static image, they would make a slight forward movement of the dragon so that when when the final sequence was finished and the film was run there would be a more naturalistic blur to the action - the element missing from standard stop-motion.
George R R Martin definitely saw Dragonslayer He put it at #5 on his list of favorite fantasy movies (behind Ladyhawke, Wizard of Oz, The Princess Bride, and Lord of the Rings). In the show Game of Thrones, one of the long-dead Targaryen dragons was named "Vermithrax", as a tribute to this movie's dragon, Vermithrax Pejorative.
Not to mention there's a character called Tyrian in it.
i remember the sight of the little dragons gnawing on the princess. it wasn't the noble death i envisioned.
I saw this at the theater. I had never heard of it but it looked fun (plus our town only had one screen). I stumbled across “The Last Starfighter “ much the same way. Both are largely overlooked films from the early 80’s. Another one is “2010” though that one was kinda big when released, just forgotten later. In a time when dragons were being depicted as friendly, Vermithrax was so deliciously evil. My all-time favorite dragon! It’s not the quantity of meat, but the quality of virtue. Dragons are magical.
Very underrated film, from Disney's 'Dark' period. With a grim tone, (brief) nudity and plenty of violent death, its certainly more adventurous than the current day House of Mouse.
Vermithrax is probably one of the best realised dragons on screen. Phil Tippett's animatronics and figure animation still hold up, well today. I'm not sure that Peter MacNicol quite has the chops for a leading role, but he's charismatic enough, while Ralph Richardson is on top form. The scenery is suitably epic and the film has a quality feel to it.
I think mcnichol is perfect for this role as someone clearly out of his depth.
Another Dark Disney movie that’s a favorite of mine is ‘The Black Hole’ (1979). It’s a flawed movie, but something special.
@@oaf-77 Absolutely. The Black Hole is a firm favourite of mine. It doesn't quite know what I wants to be, story wise, but it's such an atmospheric film.
I also remember Peter MacNicol from Ghostbusters Two.
Peter McNicol was a far better actor in
"Dragonslayer" than he was in "Ghostbuster II"...
Glad to see someone give a reaction to this criminally underrated film.
Thank you for being the first to do this one
I haven't seen this in 40 years.
A couple of other fantasy movies that haven't gotten any love yet are: "The Sword and the Sorcerer" and the original
"Clash of the Titans".
I reacted to the latter here on the channel :) th-cam.com/video/s-6Hfo714Q0/w-d-xo.html
Sword and the Sorcerer is a lot of fun. It Stars Lee Horesly(TV's Matt Houston) as a Barbarian, and Richard Moll(Night Court) as a Demonic Wizard.
@@queenglamazona8789 Sword and the Sorcerer is a B-movie gem -
There was a novelization of Dragon Slayer, Galen, and Valerian fell in love during the summer before the Dragon dug himself out.
Every fantasy I'd seen up to this point as a kid was a watered down fairy tale, this was the first fantasy I saw with an a-hole king, and an a-hole knight, and probably opened the door for stuff like Game Of Thrones.
Ha! You saw the Thrones resemblances too. Probably should've waited 'til the end.
I've always felt sorry for the Dragon in this movie for some reason. Especially during the Scene where It discoverers It's Babies after they've been killed.
Definitely!
Vermithrax has defined personality. She is as much a character as any of the humans. That moment of finding the hatchlings makes her from a monster to a mother.
Ulrich flat out states "When a dragon gets this old.... all it knows is pain"
The film depict the most Badass Dragon and the most Badass wizard ever.
This was not stop-motion animation, but the first use of go-motion.
This is my all time favorite dragon movie of all time.
It was the only dragon until 'The Hobbit' and 'Game of Thrones' that looked alive. and trust me, I think I have seen them all... 😁
There ARE a number of similarities between this film and Game of Thrones. The fact that the book was written AFTER Dragonslayer does seem a little more than coincidence.
I knew you'd enjoy this one. Have you seen the original 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea, yet? The one from the 50s? It's another great summer popcorn movie from the past that should been watched & reviewed. I'd also again recommend the original 1920s Thief of Baghdad.
20000 leagues is a great movie. James Mason was born to play Nemo.
Agreed!
Surely the 1940 Thief of Bagdad is the one to watch. It’s got Sabu!
Captain Nemo was also a Character in the Mysterious Island and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
@@queenglamazona8789 Mysterious Island is one of my favorite harryhausen movies
It defies so much. The heroes get no accolades, the love story is not with the princess who shows integrity and dignity and sacrifices herself for those principles.
Before this movie, the dragons on screen where Pete's Dragon, Harryhausen's stop motion dragons and Smaug. I love the practical effects of this dragon. This was one of Disney's underrated and almost forgotten gems. :)
Under-rated gem. The aesthetics and cinematography were perfect, with a strangely subdued tone and complex villains. Great blend of grit and grandeur. I loved this movie so much I eventually made the pilgrimage to Craggenmore (Ulrich’s castle in the beginning), which is actually Dolwyddelan Castle
Thank you so much for watching this. Great childhood memories for me. Maybe consider BEASTMASTER (1982)?
When Galen leaps onto the Dragon's neck, he literally does that.
They built a full scale Dragon head & neck, (20ft long) & so it couldnt be more convincing.
when the...hatchlings attack, he is trying to club them in panic NOT burn them,
This was the first film involving a Dragon I'd ever seen, where the creature is at the centre of the story, usually they are wall paper figures a small part of the story, where its usually about fairy tale stuff slaying it to impress a king or Princess, to win approval a small part of Arthurian legend. As Jack the giant killer is, aka Jack & the beanstalk.
the Director had read LORD OF THE RINGS on recommendation liked it & saw it as inspiration, the writing of this, predates the bombastic Game of thrones.
One thing I've never heard anyone address is ,if there were baby dragons in the lair,that means this dragon had a mate. So where was he at? That leaves open a story to be written of the fathers revenge for the killing of his mate and offspring. Dragonslayer 2!
I'd love to read it and see it on the big screen.
Unless the dragon had bred with some other animal... Or the eggs were ancient, from a mating long ago. Dragons can have long life cycles.
Dragon matriarchs eat their mates. To be fair the dumb SOB's think their partner is asking them to pull out and really they're telling them to pull up (they fly/dive during intercourse). Anyways, the male dragon's turn them selves into pizza, and it's just a waste not to eat them.
"...it's all fading from the world..."
I agree that christian 'punchline at the end felt slapped on but the quote above I feel helps balance it out a bit. I still love that line, even if a bit melancholy :/
I love this movie so much, so glad it won the poll for you to check out. Still my favourite dragon to this day, I still have the Marvel comic for it.
1981, what a year to still be a kid... we got this gem, as well as Time Bandits(!), Clash of the Titans(!), Excalibur, Quest for Fire... RAIDERS of the Lost Ark(!), American Werewolf in London... wow. And Ladyhawke still to come a few years later.
What a great movie, it had a gritty feel to it. I watched this when i was a young kid many years ago at the cinema hall.
It scared the living daylights out of me..
The reason why the dragon needed virgins was because the babies can only feast on the lightest of meat and cleanest of blood.
A virgin is like baby food for dragons.
OT: This is the only Disney Princess that they killed and to this day, have yet to give a toy line to.
RIP Princess Elspeth Ophilas, filia regis...
Required watching for our D&D group when this first came out. We'uns were a little younger then. Great to see somebody finally do a react to it. (It's the old retainer from Craggenmoor).
One of my favorite movies. One of my first RPG character was named after Galen.
I Went too see this at my local cinema the ABC in Dover in England in May 1982
there is always a danger in going against stereo types in these kind of fantasy films. BUT doing that here has really worked on all most all levels. Disney is to be applauded for daring to be different (even though its with Paramount studios help, & it was a case of adapt or die)
they did the same thing with the underrated- SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, and it worked
"Exalibur" 1981 for a real blood and thunder version of the King Arthur story.
It is…an experience. I plan to do a King Arthur comparison video at some point.
Loved Helen Mirren as Morgana in Excalibur. She was Excellent in that role.
The message with the Christian vs Pagen was future control of "history". This movie did influence alot of things, although subtlety, because it was an underground Cult movie. I personally watched it 3 times in a row when it came out, by going into the restroom between each showing.
I am lawful good, so I always buy multiple tickets when I do that, but nobody has ever asked for them 😂 if you walk purposely out of a cinema, then walk back in, nobody cares.
I'm chaotic neutral.
This movie needs more love. It is so much the opposite one expects from Disney and it really was well done. That scene of the young woman struggling to get out of her manacles really freaked me out as a kid. It looked so painful, yet she had to try. Still, it's very memorable.
I always thought that Valerian was really cute, too...
I love Dragonslayer. It has my favourite movie dragon (sorry Smaug) and my joint favourite wizard (alongside Radagast) 🥰🥰🥰
I really like this film. I've always been impressed by the dragon. Disney was responsible for producing the dragon on the ground and in the cave, while industrial Light & Magic handled the flying sequences.
This was the second of two Paramount/Disney coproductions. The first was 1980's "Popeye." In both cases Paramount has always had domestic rights, with Disney having foreign rights.
My wife loves capes. :)
Underrated and oft-forgotten fantasy film. And to credit for a lot of fantasies to follow: The title/logo is where Rick Dyer/Don Bluth got the style for "Dragon's Lair" (one of my favorites), the DragonLANCE (TSR started their famous IP just a couple years later), and, we even learn where Palpatine REALLY got his disfigurement.
When the Priest was shouting at Vermithrax (the dragon) I thought never argue with a dragon they're bigger than you
Hello There :)
Concerning your " Why Maiden ?" Question .
Maybe Young People are like Lamb Chops to a Dragon ? A juicier or more tender taste ? Who knows (I'm no Dragon ;) ) ?
Maybe dragons are just jerks. Nobody cares if the town bicycle gets offered up
Oh! Right! I got poking around in Google, and the director of this also did "Corvette Summer". It's got Mark Hamill and Annie Potts before they were Luke and Janine. It's really cute. Kind of coming of age romance with gangsters and racing/chasing thrown in.
Corvette Summer came out a year after Star Wars.
Great movie. Dragon Heart is another great Dragon movie.
I've seen so many "Elspeth" email Addie's over the years it's not funny...
This was a first for both Disney and Paramount in that it was a co-production between them. And it was only the second film for the film's cinematographer, Derek Van Lint. His only prior credit was Ridley's Scott's Alien, and he only shot one film after Dragonslayer. I think his cinematography is magnifect here, accompanied by that wonderful Alex North score.
This was nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual effects but lost to Raiders of the Lost Ark...but really, I think Dragonslayer was robbed. When the Sir Ralph Richardson returns in the lake, and you see that spinning, golden humanoid form, that's actually an Oscar one of the effects guys one for Star Wars!
Really glad you finally got to this Alexa! Obviously, your audience has gotten to know you pretty well! Have you reacted to Time Bandits yet?
Yes, I have :)
Great reaction. I agree with all of your observations, especially the costuming feeling real and grounded. The only mystical parts are the dragon and the one magic amulet really. I watched this alot as a kid and it's still one of my top ten movies. I wish more folks did reactions to this one. You're like the only one.
Glad to see someone reacting to this great movie
It's like they applied the approach from Jaws to the dragon in this movie. There were also moments when the dragon looked like the Devil, not to mention its abode being reminiscent of Hell (with the fiery lake), so I wonder if THAT meant anything, maybe even tied in with the christianity stuff? This movie also has some pretty GORY scenes and a NUDE scene which you apparently skipped over, I assume because of TH-cam's censcorchip policy. But I think they're kind of significant because a lot of people presume this movie to be a KIDS film or FAMILY film, like Dragonheart or something, and are shocked and surprised by THOSE scenes.
Yes, TH-cam has very strict rules. It is why all love scenes are cut from my Outlander reactions.
R.i.p caitlin, my first crush at age 12 watching this movie.
A great fantasy film, and the best dragon movie in my opinion.
I adore this film its so grim and bitter with an incredible dragon 🐉
Nice reaction - subscribed - I just came after watching you do Brazil, which hardly anyone has done, surprisingly - you really have a remarkable line-up of film choices - Sir Ralph Richardson was the wizard - one of the 3 great theatrical knights, along w Gielgud and Olivier - re paganism, I notice a lot of these fantasies depict a transitional period, emerging from a world of magic into our own familiar world - the shift into Christianity is often evoked to represent this - also see the magnificent 1981 Excalibur -
Thank you - films are chosen via comment requests that become patreon polls.
This is a great movie, and so underrated.
The film doesnt end on a note of "happily ever after", more one of them...finding their way optimistically, exploring the wider World, they are both Virginal, but mutual fear & circumstance has brought them together, also in rural village communities where it's much smaller populations than in Towns or City's, the people can only choose from within
in those times emotions wouldnt have been as complex as in today's World, where we have so much more choice via technology, & put other things first such as - careers and money.
What I like about the old...analogue way of doing things was that people were impressed by each other, for the RIGHT reasons - courage, honesty, loyalty, and not the wrong.
When watching films/tv series its important NOT to think MODERN & cynical, ESPECIALLY with old Worldly, period pieces like this one.
Well, I better put a shout out! to the late British Production Designer Elliot Scott, who produced some of the most exquisite looking sets, including the Dragon's cave. Scott brought in slate to make the set look more believable to the eye. Scott's contribution to Dragonslayer is one of its more eye catching elements. Seeing that Elliot Scott worked with Spielberg on Last Crusade and Temple of Doom. Spielberg always had taste when it came to technical expertise , and nearly all were British. The only other thing I'll say is that Derek Vanlint did the cinematography on Dragonslayer. A very solid lighting cameraman who worked on Ridley Scott's Alien. The location work was up in North Wales for Dragonslayer. North Wales could easily double for Ireland or Scotland. Good shooting landscape.
Saw this when first released. Still every bit as good now as it was then. The most astonishing thing about the movie, at least to me, is that this movie - chock filled with incinerated victims, gore and gruesome (simulated) realism - it's a Disney flick.
And at the moment that the dragon's carcass is seen, I first tried iguana meat! True story!
Economics says that one should tax things they want to discourage. By demanding virgins, that incentivizes starting families younger to avoid the lottery. That then causes the community to grow faster, demanding more livestock and hopefully increasing the wealth of the community.
Virgins just means younger people, though, regardless of whether they are…shall we say active. Modern mythology has twisted the meaning to be a more specific circumstance.
@@alexachipman Have you seen the movie Snatch (2000)? Not only is it a fun movie but one of the characters (completely inconsequentially to the plot, so I don't think this is a spoiler) talks about this exact "translation" error in reference to sensationalizing the Jesus story in early Christianity.
@@peterk7931 I'll add it to the list, thanks!
there are some religious undertones to this film that I like the themes of death & resurrection/rebirth, also druid/pagan folklore giving way to the new Christianity, as majic is also dying out, good believable symbolism.
with your foresight & predictability, was it worth your time watching this?
I got tha Kryat dragon reference :D
Best dragon movie ever.
Ralph Richardson was wonderful in this. Too bas it wasn't focused more on him.
Vermithrax Pejorative = "The Wyrm of Thrace that makes things Worse"
This one is like a FANTASY film that's also a little bit of a HORROR film, .. . or perhaps it's actually the other way around? Anyway, very unique.
He put her name on all tiles, the princess had nothing to do with it
RIP Kaitlyn Clark
By the "Scottish Play", I assume you mean... "Macbeth." "AAHHHH!!! Hot potato, off his drawers, pluck to make amends! OW!"
Nooo turn around three times!
@@alexachipman LOL! Now I shall retire to my "turnip in the country."
I promise that I am not trying to start a fight, but I was curious about your thoughts of this vs. ST: SNW. Here, a few young people to save a Kingdom is a rough but acceptable deal but the situation Pike sees is too far. I know that the point of SNW was to make us stop and dwell, but it was intriguing watching your two response so close to each other. Humans (and other sentient peoples) contain multitudes. *Edited to remove possible spoilers.*
Good point, I think in both cases I could see an argument for what the planet/kingdom leadership had been doing, but ultimately it was still wrong and needed to be addressed and stopped. Maybe they even got some inspiration for it from this film!
Great video , really enjoyed watching it:3
Keep it up amazing job 🙂 i looking forward to see what's comes next:3
Have a great day 🙂
ooh my favourite dragon movie
Try Excaliber from 1981- an excellent movie from director John Boreman with an epic feel
Sorry, seen it many times, but I do plan on a King Arthur comparison video someday.
Growing up, one of my favorite King Arthur movies was ‘Prince Valiant’ (1954)
love a different perspective for a change...same old story but a different view
I've never watched Dragonslayer.
I used to Play the Game I really liked the Animation in it I forgot about this Movie it’s been a long time Nice Choice A.C.
The game is Dragon's Lair. I know, I made that mixup back in the day.
@@mikemeggison5084 Yeh it was A Revolutionary Game when it came out there was nothing Like it But Space Ace
The Christianity plot line would have been extremely ballsy to have inserted in the movie at the time. This is roughly the same time as the satanic panic in the United States where dungeons and dragons, comic books, and heavy metal music was of the devil was trying to destroy the youth of America.
Ah that makes sense now - I remember talking about it with more experienced D&D players and what they dealt with.
@@alexachipman I have friends whose parents took all the fearmongering over Satan influencing our children seriously. But watching some of the old propaganda is hilarious. Interviews were grown men are trying to explain how He-Man toys and Star Wars are making kids satanic. Knowing you have limited knowledge on the satanic panic I now have to make a recommendation. Mazes and Monsters starring Tom Hanks and the mayor from Jaws.
Paganism (connecting with Dragon mythology) was dying out & Christianity NOT connected with Dragon's was the political point of the film (this is mentioned in the making of documentary) everything is in transition (that's why both the Dragon & Wizard are the last of their kind) the wizard senses his end, that's why he agrees to receive the...pilgrim party, as you sense he had refused other meetings in the past tents.
On a different aspect, when in the cave, the Dragon visual effects are superb, as well as could have been done especially in...1981 they STILL look 100% convincing, & stack up to today's cgi, not so much the...off spring though.
But towards the end not so much, it had that traditional green screen card board cut out look which is a shame I thought after what had gone before, apparently they werent able to do the flying sequences, (which went on a long time) any other way then. this was the first gothic/Medieval film for the newish ILM & they did with this what they did with STAR WARS
the love story aspect hmmm...this was...1000 yrs ago in mythical 10th century Europe,
wasnt the idea that when young and virginal, you are more ready to believe in love especially when your lives are under threat, & there's been know one else to compare to, also they werent cynical enlightened times like in today's age. I believe the word was Chivalry/bravery then that impressed, especially for women, as in say...GLADIATOR
Maybe virgins taste better and dragons like quality over quantity
That must be it! Gourmet.
@@alexachipman I think it is the same reason only virgins can catch unicorns...
@@jamesraykenney Well again that is likely a translation issue, ie virgin as in simply young person, regardless of whether they have...shall we say met someone.
Fantastic work. Just adore the smile to camera. Warms the cockles. The Beastmaster would be great for you! Big (330lb) hugs
Why would the Dragon want teenage girls over older women?
Why do people prefer Lamb to Mutton?
Why is Veal considered a delicacy?
Oh and the Dragon doesn't have to worry about breeding humans so doesn't need to only eat the inferior males even though that would be a smart inversion of the legends whilst maintaining the idea of the Dragon wanting "virgins"!
Oh auburn haired fair maiden, you speakith the truth about this movie, now go in good faith and pray that your next review may be so forthcoming LOL :) Bye for now, Alex😊
My favorite Dragon. Only Game Of Thrones comes close.
20:34 the film was made some ten to seven years wafter Watergate and the Kennedy assassination. It was more a comment on how politics really doesn't change, and not so much on paganism verse Christianity.
Why not both :)
@@alexachipman Sure, why not? It may have been. There probably was some sociology involved ... I think at that time, if I recall my teen years accurately, there was a kind of revival in alternate religions, paganism of various forms included, so it may have been a nod to that trend. I'm not a pagan for the record.
4:38...The younger the victim the tenderer the meat I guess 😉
Virgins are like veal or lamb to dragons
Well, given that Vermathrax only eats twice a year (at the two equinoxes) it doesn't appear dragons need to eat meat for the sustenance.
@@lestatdelc large reptiles (anacondas etc) can go 6 months between meals if they eat something large enough, although the dragon to virgin weight ratio seems off.
Because Dragons like that LEAN meat. Like the doctor says to eat.
I wasn't sure of Valerian's gender. Her boyish voice threw me.
As much as I love this movie, I've always had a love/hate relationship with Vermithrax's design. Dragons, in my mind, will always have 4 legs. Vermithrax is cool, but not really a Dragon, to me anyway. However, I've always loved how expressive she was. The scene where she discovers her dead babies, then rises up with that look of pure hatred, magnificent .
So a drake, or a wyrm or somesuch?
@@RetroRobotRadio I always considered her a wyvern.
@@Lucklaran wyverns are usually depicted as having a stinging tail and no flame, which is why I suggested wyrm.
@@RetroRobotRadio Wyrms don't usually have legs though, so...... Drakes have 4 legs, no wings. Wyvern is closest.
THE CHRISTIANITY aspect here is nased on histories.
The Crusades .
The Moors vs The Christians
Ive always hated that bland wooden actor that's supposed to be the king in that part.
And the actress that is his Daughter is also dry & minimal, even coming over as stupid most of the time rather than naive, this is a dark film & had to be because of the type of material, BUT they could have cast actors with more natural charisma, the king should have been more eccentric, amusing, but still managing to be devious
as much as I like LEGAND, (which may well have borrowed from DRAGON SLAYER) it also lacked optimism, using cocky Tom Cruz. who is never interesting or charming in anything you see him in.
I'd say the ongoing point about Dragons is that they are supernatural creatures, evil must be satisfied, & so it's less about eating human sacrifices & more about setting examples to any sinners in those "God fearing" times.