Dragonslayer

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Dragonslayer

PG

Released Jun 26, 1981

1h 49m

Fantasy

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

84%

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37 Reviews

63%

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10,000+ Ratings

A terrible dragon is terrorizing the medieval land of Urland in the 6th century. Representatives from the kingdom seek the assistance of the wizard Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) to defeat the dragon immediately -- Urland has been delivering virgins to appease the dragon, and their princess (Chloe Salaman) has rigged the lottery system they use in order to sacrifice herself next. But when Ulrich is killed, the task to confront the dragon falls to the wizard's apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol).

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Critics Consensus

An atypically dark Disney adventure, Dragonslayer puts a realistic spin -- and some impressive special effects -- on a familiar tale.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Dragonslayer has withstood the test of time beautifully.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 22, 2023

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

This movie has two big things going for it -- the dragon and the man who masterminds its slaying.

Nov 16, 2014

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

An unknown treasure of a fantasy film and well worth a look for fans of the genre.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 26, 2012

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Its pacing could be a little more brisk and its main characters a little more exciting, but Dragonslayer nevertheless earns its place in fantasy filmdom for featuring one of the best fire-breathing creatures ever committed to celluloid.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 26, 2023

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Alan Jones

Starburst

Dragonslayer, with the aid of superior stop-motion animation, hand puppets and hydraulic body mechanisms superbly puts on celluloid one of the most spectacular creatures of myth which in turn totally immerses you in a world of fantasy.

Jul 28, 2022

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Kenneth Turan

New West/California

As much of a triumph as this creature is, Vermithrax can't carry the entire picture. No creature can, and it is the lapses in the human part of the equation that prevent Dragonslayer from being the picture it might have been.

Nov 3, 2021

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Roberto T

As good a this movie is, and it really is a perfect little fantasy, I wish it could be enhanced with modern graphics.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

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Orlando C

The most perfect pure fantasy movie ever put on film. The most visceral and realistic dragon ever conceived. And the story. What a multi-layered narrative that touches upon everything from class and privilege, gender bias, even christianity and paganism. A story so deeply rendered, the movie REQUIRES multiple viewings. You will catch something new or nuanced every time. The cast is pitch-perfect. Peter MacNicol is the perfect weenie-turned-hero-turned-spectator. Sir Ralph Richardson is whimsical and foreboding all at the same time. And Caitlin Clark. As many have mentioned, they saw this movie as a young teenager on VHS sometime during the '80s. I am no exception. I fell madly in love with Valerian (Clark) when I saw this movie. Such a delicate beauty. So don't let the release year (1981) fool you. This movie hasn't aged a bit and has only become more iconic and referential over the decades. One of the absolute best.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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Jonathan O

It's King Kong meets JAWS in this incredible fun exiting thrilling fantasy film. The casting are marvelous and really incredible mechanical performance by Vermithrax the Dragon she's really frightening meanest dragon of all time. The vfx looks incredible and really great sound design and 15th oscar nominated musical score by Alex North and if you love Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons and Game of Thrones you gonna love this epic film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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Jarrod R

An extra half point for the performance of Caitlin Clarke. I remember watching this on VHS back in the 80s, and much of this really holds up. The 3rd act gets bogged down, however.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

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Alec B

People mostly remember how dark this thing is, and while that's certainly true the movie is also much smarter than a lot of fantasy from this era. There's wizards and magic and a dragon but there's also subtle commentary. No wonder George RR Martin is so fond of this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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Ernest N

This movie is almost perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/03/23

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Matthew Robbins

Director

Peter MacNicol

Galen

Caitlin Clarke

Valerian

Ralph Richardson

Ulrich

John Hallam

Tyrian

Peter Eyre

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Synopsis

A terrible dragon is terrorizing the medieval land of Urland in the 6th century. Representatives from the kingdom seek the assistance of the wizard Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) to defeat the dragon immediately -- Urland has been delivering virgins to appease the dragon, and their princess (Chloe Salaman) has rigged the lottery system they use in order to sacrifice herself next. But when Ulrich is killed, the task to confront the dragon falls to the wizard's apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol).

Director: Matthew Robbins
Producer: Hal Barwood
Screenwriter: Matthew Robbins, Hal Barwood
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 26, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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