Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

Profion, a tyrant attempts to overthrow a peaceful kingdom ruled by a tough empress.

Director:

Courtney Solomon

Writers:

Topper Lilien, Carroll Cartwright,

Stars:

Jeremy Irons, Bruce Payne, Justin Whalin

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Irons	...	Profion
Bruce Payne	...	Damodar
Justin Whalin	...	Ridley Freeborn
Marlon Wayans	...	Snails
Robert Miano	...	Azmath
Tomas Havrlik	...	Mage
Thora Birch	...	Empress Savina
Edward Jewesbury	...	Vildan Vildir
Zoe McLellan	...	Marina Pretensa
Lee Arenberg	...	Elwood Gutworthy
Kristen Wilson	...	Norda
Martin Astles	...	Orc #1
Matthew O'Toole	...	Orcs
David O'Kelly	...	Three Eyes
Richard O'Brien	...	Xilus

Storyline

The Empire of Izmer has long been a divided land. The Mages - an elite group of magic users - rule whilst the lowly commoners are powerless. Izmer's young Empress, Savina, wants equality and prosperity for all, but the evil Mage Profion is plotting to depose her, and establish his own rule. The Empress possesses a scepter which controls Izmer's Golden Dragons. To challenge her rule, Profion must have the scepter, and tricks the Council of Mages into believing Savina is unfit to hold it. Knowing that Profion will bring death and destruction to Izmer, Savina, must find the legendary Rod of Savrille, a mythical rod that has the power to control Red Dragons, a species even mightier than the Gold. Enter two thieves, Ridley and Snails, who unwittingly become instrumental in Savina's search for the Rod. Joined by a feisty Dwarf named Elwood, and helped by the Empress's expert tracker, the Elf Norda, the young heroes go in search of the Rod of Savrille. From the deadly maze of the Thieves ...

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Plot Keywords:

scepter | empress | mage | dragon | empire | 

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Taglines:

Adventure will never be the same

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Action

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence

Details

Official Sites:

New Line WOTC site, with synopsis and bios

Country:

USA Czech Republic

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Calabozos y dragones

Filming Locations:

Kutná Hora, Stredoceský, Czech Republic

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£405,669 (UK) (16 February 2001)

Gross:

ESP 339,664,113 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Behaviour Worldwide, MDP Worldwide, Silver Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the fight with the large guard, before the scene with Snails and Damodar, Justin Whalin's head split open when he was thrown into the stone wall.

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Goofs

When Marina is on the floor reaching for the scroll in the Thieves Guild, Damodar appears to step on it just as she grabs it. His foot actually misses, so she holds it there and pretends it's stuck.

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Quotes

[Ridley recites an incantation, hoping to decode a scroll]
Ridley: Alanor, salah, bedara!
[Nothing happens. Hands scroll to Marina]
Ridley: Can't blame me for trying. At least I...
[Ridley is sucked into the map]
Snails: Woo hoo! See that there? I knew that boy had talent!

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Crazy Credits

No dragons or other animals were hurt or injured during the filming of this motion picture.

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Connections

Referenced in Let the Games Begin (2001)

User Reviews

What a waste

It is unbelievable how this movie could have been created with such good actors and so much money, but such a bad script and directing.

Dialogues are painfully bad in this movie, as is the story itself.

The acting is also below any standard you would expect from such an expensive movie. Jeremy Irons was especially shocking, his performance was very pathetic and flat, as if this would be a bad movie for three year olds. That was not acting, that was a torment ! I cried every time he appeared on the screen.

Thora Birch was also far, far below her level in 'American Beauty', obviously unable to tell how one should put a little life into her bad dialogue and flat character, and somehow even thinking that that was her own fault.

If at all, the thief Snails (Marlon Wayans from Scary Movie) had quite some good moments in his slapstick scenes, the only good moments in the whole movie. Unfortunately they don't last long. Wayans seems to have a talent to shine even in the worst movies, however.

The performance of the main actor was also bad. His dull and cheap sunnyboy behavior really nerved me, and I saw absolutely no reason for his 'being special', but far more for 'being untalented'.

The effects where better than the story, but really not that exciting either.

Some people say fantasy is about stereotypes, but that doesnt mean you can forget all rules how to make up a good story ! This story was not worth getting on the screen. This story was also not worth getting such good actors and effects. This story was nothing but crap !

And I can't believe that Jeremy Irons and Thora Birch are such bad actors, they have proven they can do far, far better ! I can only guess it must have been the director who forced them to do such bad performances.

Definitely not recommended for anyone except maybe children below ten. Oh wait, they're not allowed ? No loss.