Mazes and Monsters (TV 1982)

Bound together by a desire to play "Mazes and Monsters," Robbie and his four college classmates decide to move the board game into the local legendary cavern. Robbie starts having visions ... See full summary »

Director:

Steven Hilliard Stern

Writers:

Rona Jaffe (novel), Tom Lazarus (teleplay)

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Wendy Crewson, David Wallace

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	Robbie Wheeling
Wendy Crewson	...	Kate Finch
David Wallace	...	Daniel
Chris Makepeace	...	Jay Jay Brockway
Lloyd Bochner	...	Hall
Peter Donat	...	Harold
Anne Francis	...	Ellie
Murray Hamilton	...	Lt. John Martini
Vera Miles	...	Cat
Louise Sorel	...	Julia
Susan Strasberg	...	Meg
Chris Wiggins	...	King
Clark Johnson	...	Perry
Tom Harvey	...	Hayden
James O'Regan	...	Paul

Storyline

Bound together by a desire to play "Mazes and Monsters," Robbie and his four college classmates decide to move the board game into the local legendary cavern. Robbie starts having visions for real, and the line between reality and fantasy fuse into a harrowing adventure.

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Plot Keywords:

college | cavern | tragic event | mental illness | new york city | 

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Taglines:

Danger lurks between fantasy and reality.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rona Jaffe's Mazes and Monsters

Filming Locations:

World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

McDermott Productions, Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Robbie Wheeling: I am Pardue, and I am a holy man.

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Connections

Referenced in The Brotherhood III: Young Demons (2003)

User Reviews

Campy Hanks Fun, Awful Film

"Mazes and Monsters" attempts to capitalize on the then-hot role-playing game trend with a sensationalistic, cliche-ridden script suggesting that such games inevitably lead players into madness, despair, and suicide. So, sadly, can dismal TV-movies. But this one has an added bonus: An extremely pre-Oscar Tom Hanks.

Camp-friendly fans of Hanks should not miss this film. Fresh off the comparatively Shakespearian "Bosom Buddies," Mr. Hanks tries his best to tackle the material. Unfortunately, the implausible scenes and unintentionally hilarious dialogue soon overtake him, though he soldiers on bravely. If you enjoyed Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Hercules In New York," you'll enjoy Hanks in "Mazes and Monsters." Extensive scenes set in and around the World Trade Center are especially strange in retrospect. It's a terrible film, but Hanks' immense charm--and his ample mystical-hooey dialog--are worth the price of admission, especially in this "Lord Of The Rings"-friendly era.