Red Sonja (1985)

The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Robert E. Howard (based on the character created by), Clive Exton

Stars:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brigitte Nielsen, Sandahl Bergman

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Kalidor
Brigitte Nielsen	...	Red Sonja
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
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 Stefano 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:

female nudity | sword and sorcery | bare breasts | shapely legs | legs to die for | 

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Taglines:

A woman and a warrior that became a legend.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The western Hannie Caulder (1971) is considered a possible influence behind the film. In that film, the red haired main protagonist becomes a vengeful gunwoman as she seeks revenge upon the three outlaws who raped her and killed her husband. A bounty hunter joins her on her quest.

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Goofs

(at around 1h) When Kalidor lifts Prince Tarn into the air with one arm, the wire attached to Tarn's back is visible.

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Quotes

Kalidor: I'm not a mercenary. No body pays me. And if I feel someone one owes me, I take it.

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Alternate Versions

Two brief shots (including a severed head flying through the air) were cut from the Ontario, Canada version of the film in order to reduce the rating from Restricted (no one under 18 admitted) to Adult Accompaniment (anyone under 14 must be accompanied by someone over 18).

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Connections

Referenced in High Chaparall: Brigitte Nielsen (2004)

User Reviews

I enjoyed it

The movie came out when I was three, so of course I didn't see it then. I saw it on TV when I was about seven, up late and bored. Unfortunately I kept coming into the middle of it, every time it came on. Finally one day I saw the entire thing, and adored it. I was about thirteen. A few years ago I had the fortune of finding it on video for a cheap price, $6.95. I watched it a lot, and loved it every time. This was a very unique movie, to me. It was the first Swords and Scorcery flick I ever saw, and ever since I fell in love with the genre. Fans of medieval, fantasy, adventure movies will have to check this one out, if they haven't already.

Details

Country:

USA Netherlands Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Red Sonja

Filming Locations:

Celano, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$17,900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,263,553, 7 July 1985

Gross USA:

$6,948,633

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,951,415

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