Red Sonja (1985)

An vengeful woman sets out to retrieve a magic orb from an evil queen whom she vows vengeance upon after the evil queen slain her family and her loyal warriors raped her.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Robert E. Howard (character), Clive Exton,

Stars:

Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brigitte Nielsen	...	Red Sonja
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Kalidor
Sandahl Bergman	...	Queen Gedren
Paul L. Smith	...	Falkon (as Paul Smith)
Ernie Reyes Jr.	...	Prince Tarn
Ronald Lacey	...	Ikol
Pat Roach	...	Brytag
Terry Richards	...	Djart
Janet Agren	...	Varna, Red Sonja's Sister
Donna Osterbuhr	...	Kendra the High Priestess
Lara Lamberti	...	Gedren's Handmaid (as Lara Naszinsky)
Hans Meyer	...	Red Sonja's Father
Francesca Romana Coluzzi	...	Red Sonja's Mother
Stefano Maria Mioni	...	Barlok, Red Sonja's Brother (as Stafano Mioni)
Tutte Lemkow	...	Wizard

Storyline

The tyrant Gedren seeks the total power in a world of barbarism. She attacks and kills the keepers of a powerful talisman just before it is destroyed. Gedren then uses the power of the talisman in her raid of the city Hablac. Red Sonja, sister of the keeper, sets out with her magic sword to overthrow Gedren. The talisman's master Kalidor follows to protect her. Of course they fall in love - however Red Sonja's power bases on the oath to never give herself to any man...

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Plot Keywords:

talisman | warrior | 100th century b.c. | prehistoric times | decapitation | 

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Taglines:

Heroes of their time. For all time.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

Netherlands USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crvena Sonja

Filming Locations:

Celano, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$17,900,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino De Laurentiis Company, Famous Films (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor) Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally to have reprised the role of Conan in this film, as the Red Sonja character was a spinoff of the original Conan novels. Ultimately, a new character was created who was essentially Conan in everything but name.

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Goofs

When Red Sonja and Falkon fight the bandits that captured Prince Tarn, Falkon hits a downed bandit with his bone club and part of the club breaks off upon impact. When he appears on screen again a moment later, the club is undamaged.

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Quotes

Brytag: I will tell the future in your entrails, Red Woman!
Red Sonja: I know my future. You have none.

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Connections

Version of Red Sonja

User Reviews

Arnold, Brigitte, Sandahl!

This is a wonderfully moral sword and sorcery epic. Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays a heroic man of high character unlike the amoral Conan. His portrayal of Kalidor is understated and that makes it WORK.

Brigitte Nielsen while a raw talent, still manages to put this film over.

She is what one expects a Red Sonja to be: a simple, brave, barbarian woman with a sense of loyalty and oath upholding that is so alien to our modern world.

Sandahl Bergman as the nefarious Queen Gedren is marvelous. She has a plum role playing a villainous megalomaniac and she enjoys every minute of it.

Paul Smith and his sidekick Ernie Reyes Jr. almost steal the show, quite charming. Again there is a humanity in Smith's character, this loyalty and taking seriously of an oath that rings true for the imagined world of this sword and sorcery entry.

Tutte Lemkow's portrayal of a wizard is one of the minor roles that is very well done.

Of all the sword and sandal movies I have seen over the years I have a special place for this 1985 film.

It is a feel good movie, romantic, exciting, beautiful scenery and costumes and an excellent ARNOLD film.