The Sword and the Sorcerer poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis, Richard Lynch ... see more see more... , Richard Moll , Nina Van Pallandt , Anthony De Longis , Robert Tessier , Anna Bjorn , Simmy Bow , Peter Breck , Reb Brown , Corinne Calvet , Christopher Cary , John Davis Chandler , Jeff Corey , JoJo D'Amore , Steve Davis , Michael Evans , Greg Finley , Russ Marin , Earl Maynard , Shelley Taylor Morgan , George Murdock , Christina Nigra , Buckley Norris , Pat O'Moore , Joe Regalbuto , Jay Robinson , Joseph Ruskin , Alvah Stanley , Emily Yancy , Alan Caillou , Eric Cord , Anthony Farrar , James Jarnigan , William Watson , Charlie Messenger , Thomas Rosales Jr. , Lennie Geer , George Fisher , Hubie Kerns Jr. , Lee Horsely

This is an unusual entry in the knights-in-armor genre. Set in medieval England, the film follows the exploits of a young swordsman, Talon (Lee Horsley). Working as a mercenary knight, Talon possesses... read more read more... a unique three-bladed sword which fires its two extra blades when he touches a button. By chance, Talon learns that he is a prince who has forgotten his royal heritage. Using his sword and his wiles, he attempts to regain control of his kingdom, which has been taken over by a sadistic tyrannical knight and an evil sorcerer. In doing so, he can save a princess who has been taken hostage by the usurpers. Comedy is interspersed with gory and licentious drama throughout the film, which was directed and written by Albert Pyun. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

43% liked it

4,372 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Albert Pyun

Release Date: June 1, 1982

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001

Stats: 201 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Sword and the Sorcerer Cromwell The Sword and the Sorcerer The Sword and the Sorcerer
Upload a Photo | View All The Sword and the Sorcerer Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (201)

  • phubbs1
    July 15, 2011
    phubbs1
    Mr Pyun's first film and after seeing it probably his best film with possibly the biggest budget and release success over all his productions, on top of that the film was actually reasonably well received and got a small toy line too!

    On the visual side this film is really nice ... read moreshowing allot of detail with some lovely sets and location work, the costumes on display really add to the mix too with lots of medieval armour, period type dresses/garments along with your more common barbarian/warrior approach. Of course if you think along the lines of 'Conan' 'Red Sonja' 'Krull' and even old swashbucklers with the likes of Errol Flynn you will get a good idea of what this film is like. Everything you relate to your average Dungeons & Dragons fantasy is in here, a hero who's parents are killed by an evil tyrant comes of age and comes back to kill the tyrant with his band of mercenaries armed with a powerful three bladed sword, add a demon who also seeks revenge against the evil tyrant, a damsell in distress and the charm of 80's light and sound effects alongside over the top killing.

    The whole film is very cliched and predictable with allot of hammy acting but its suppose to be that way really, it doesn't hide that fact and nor is it suppose to be a serious drama, in terms of action its abit placid with lame fighting and silly blood but in terms of design and looks it beats Arnie's 'Conan' hands down!. The sequences with the evil undead demon sorcerer are really decent makeup wise and reminded me of 'Darkness' from 'legend', when the demon sorcerer perishes the effects are really really good too, quite a surprise.

    Its a slow burner in places and kinda rollercoasters with the excitement but it does have quite a classic feel about it, almost historical or Shakespearean in places with names like 'Cromwell' and the elegant attire. Afew minor silly spots do remind you its a silly fantasy, one being the three bladed sword that looks too cumbersome and heavy to wield properly and then you discover it actually fires the blades individually as projectiles! very 'Krull'.

    Surprise winner if you enjoyed all the other similar fantasy films of the 80's, if you didn't then best avoid ;)
  • cancercapricorn2002
    April 23, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    One of the better fantasy films produced in the early 80's and one of my guilty pleasure movies The Sword and the Sorcerer was a hit at the box office. I've watched this film countless times over the years, and its effect on me is every bit as strong as an adult, as it was when ... read moreI was a boy.

    While not the highest-budgeted fantasy ever made, this movie deserves extra praise for its atmosphere. The filmmakers did the best they could with what they had, and despite the obvious camp factor, the scenery manages to be intriguing and eye-catching all at the same time.

    The performances are also more than worthy of note. Richard Lynch, the perennial sci-fi villain, performs beautifully as Cromwell; he simply exudes evil. Lee Horsley does an admirable job of playing the rogue Talon in his first feature film. Kathleen Beller makes a strong, yet sensual heroine in her portrayal of Alana, and Simon MacCorkindale truly shines in one of the movie's best scenes, in the torture chamber with Cromwell. And what more can I say about Xusia? He's awesome. Living proof that sorcery doesn't always have to be flashy to be deadly.

    Of course, the swords themselves deserve special mention. They're so outrageous, you just can't help but love them! I tend to think of Albert Pyun as one of the few directors who could dream up something so brazen and actually make it appealing to the masses.

    But above all, the fun factor is what makes this movie most enjoyable. This is the film that is the camp cousin of Conan the Barbarian

    While it's definitely not for realists (as if there is such a thing when it comes to fantasy!), those who can manage to suspend their disbelief long enough to be drawn into this magical world should find themselves greatly entertained. Just relax, and have fun with it. You'll like it.
  • vierasesine
    October 28, 2007
    vierasesine
    Very, very silly, and quite hilarious. Not enough so to keep me awake through the entire thing, though...

    The triple sword was actually kind of ingenious.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 15, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    If only the movie was as exciting as the artwork. I found it a bit dull, with not enough monsters, dungeons and battles. There was a cool three-bladed sword the hero Talon (Lee Horsley) wielded. It was somewhat like Conan the Barbarian. The evil sorceror Clusia was played by Rich... read moreard Moll (of Night Court fame). The wimpy princess in distress was Kathleen Beller. Lots of wench-talk. There were not enough fantasy elements to call this good.

    We D&D players ate this up in the era of Sword & Sorcery flicks; better ones had yet to come.
  • nuheart
    January 18, 2007
    nuheart
    Oh, the cheese factor is so high on this one, but you've got Richard Lynch as an evil king, Richard Moll as the evil sorcerer, Matt Houston as the "hunky" hero, and the eternally twelve-years-old Kathleen Beller as the gutsy maiden!!
  • chadroesti
    October 19, 2010
    chadroesti
    This is the epic culmination of Conan type cheese...and I love it. It has everything you'll ever want: swords, sorcery, battles, demons, regicide, evil wizards, epic battles (ok, I made that up), and the coolest 3 bladed sword in history. Actually the only 3 bladed sword ever, ... read moremust be heavy as hell. But this is no ordinary 3 bladed sword! No, no, this sword has been rigged by Q to fire two of the blades through the air like an arrow using no propulsion whatsover! Cool as hell but not very practical...still, I want one of my very own..is there a site to order old props like this? I want to be Lee Horsley for Halloween!

    Anyhow, King gets killed, prince excapes barely with 3 bladed sword. Grows up a Smart Ass Mercenary. Years later, due to a hot chick, (imagine that) decides to try and get back the throne and save the chick. Complicated plot but most should be able to handle it.

    When is this coming to blue ray??? This even has Bull from Night Court as a bad guy!
  • cacutshaw
    March 16, 2007
    cacutshaw
    Man, I was crazy for this film as a kid. Violent and cool as hell. This also is the film that taught me sometimes it's better not to revisit your childhood by watching these films as an adult. Much like I wouldn't find it much fun to run around the backyard pretending to be Ra... read morembo, this fim doesn't really appeal to the grown up mind. Maybe now that I've been disappointed, I can now watch it for it's cheese value.
  • lordequus
    October 13, 2008
    lordequus
    One Of The Biggest Influences On My Fledgling (At The Time) D&D Gamemastering Skills. Also Had Some Of The Coolest Gimmick Weapons Ever.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    April 15, 2008
    MovieGuruDude72
    I laughed hysterically when I saw Matt Houston as a medieval warrior. Great comedy, even though it's not meant to be so.
  • rune081624
    August 19, 2007
    rune081624
    It may be cheese--but it's good cheese.
    One of the better low budget fantasy epics of the early 1980's.

View All The Sword and the Sorcerer Reviews

Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom
March 20, 2004
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

An overlooked and underrated action flick that has some fine moments of sword play. A fun excursion into fantasy.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Michael Szymanski
October 7, 2005
Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy

No review available.

Bryant Frazer
November 17, 2003
Bryant Frazer, Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

No review available.

Linda Cook
September 7, 2002
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten
March 10, 2003
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Forbidden Kingdom
    The Forbidden Kingdom (33%)
  • Clash of the Titans
    Clash of the Titans (80%)
  • Thor
    Thor (100%)
  • Red Sonja
    Red Sonja (100%)

More Movies like The Sword and the Sorcerer

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Sword and the... : Watch Free on TV

The Sword and the Sorcerer Trivia

  • In "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982), who plays the don't mess with me, pissed off Sorcerer? (Hint: The actor played a lovable, naive character in a very popular T.V. comedy series.)  Answer »
More The Sword and the Sorcerer Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Sword and the Sorcerer. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Sword and the Sorcerer to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?