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Dragonslayer

  • 1981
  • PG
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Peter MacNicol and Caitlin Clarke in Dragonslayer (1981)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
89 Photos
Dark FantasySword & SorceryActionAdventureFantasy

A young wizarding apprentice is sent to kill a dragon which has been devouring girls from a nearby kingdom.A young wizarding apprentice is sent to kill a dragon which has been devouring girls from a nearby kingdom.A young wizarding apprentice is sent to kill a dragon which has been devouring girls from a nearby kingdom.

  • Director
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Writers
    • Hal Barwood
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Stars
    • Peter MacNicol
    • Caitlin Clarke
    • Ralph Richardson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Hal Barwood
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Stars
      • Peter MacNicol
      • Caitlin Clarke
      • Ralph Richardson
    • 145User reviews
    • 86Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Official Trailer

    Photos89

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    + 83
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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Peter MacNicol
    Peter MacNicol
    • Galen
    Caitlin Clarke
    Caitlin Clarke
    • Valerian
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Ulrich
    John Hallam
    John Hallam
    • Tyrian
    Peter Eyre
    Peter Eyre
    • Casiodorus Rex
    Albert Salmi
    Albert Salmi
    • Greil
    Sydney Bromley
    Sydney Bromley
    • Hodge
    Chloe Salaman
    Chloe Salaman
    • Princess Elspeth
    Emrys James
    Emrys James
    • Valerian's Father
    Roger Kemp
    • Horsrik
    Ian McDiarmid
    Ian McDiarmid
    • Brother Jacopus
    Ken Shorter
    • Henchman
    Jason White
    Jason White
    • Henchman
    Yolande Palfrey
    • Victim
    Douglas Cooper
    • Urlander
    Alf Mangan
    • Urlander
    David Mount
    David Mount
    • Urlander
    James Payne
    James Payne
    • Urlander
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Hal Barwood
      • Matthew Robbins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "Vermithrax Pejorative" roughly translates as "The Worm of Thrace Which Makes Things Worse".
    • Goofs
      In the Paramount Widescreen Collection edition, during the lottery scene the man drawing the tiles reads the name "Princess Elspeth Ophelus; Filia Regis," Latin for "Daughter of the King". The subtitles say "Clearly outrageous".
    • Quotes

      Valerian: Are you afraid of dragons?

      Ulrich: [confidently and calmly] No. In fact, if it weren't for sorcerers, there wouldn't be any dragons. Once, the skies were dotted with them. Magnificent horned backs, leathern wings... soaring... and their hot-breathed wind. Oh, I know this creature of yours... Vermithrax Pejorative. Look at these scales, these ridges. When a dragon gets this old, it knows nothing but pain, constant pain. It grows decrepit... crippled... pitiful. Spiteful!

    • Alternate versions
      In the edited-for-television version, two scenes are completely removed - The scene where Galen discovers Valerian to be female (by swimming with her) and the scene where Galen causes an avalanche over the entrance to the dragon's cave.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: For Your Eyes Only/S.O.B./The Great Muppet Caper/Dragonslayer (1981)

    User reviews145

    Featured review
    8/10

    One of the better fantasy films out there

    Dragonslayer was in my opinion a very good movie. Without being too camp, it manages to be very entertaining, and along with NeverEnding Story, Princess Bride and Legend this is one of the better fantasy films I have seen. The film benefits from some very stylish costumes and sets, and the breathtaking scenery helps as well. The music score is highly atmospheric, and filled with beautiful and haunting themes. The film has a good plot with some nice twists, themes and turns, a decent script and good characters. I will admit one or two of the supporting characters are thinly sketched compared to the wizard Ulrich, and there are parts when the film suffered from pacing problems. But overall I really enjoyed Dragonslayer. I forgot to mention the acting. Peter MacNicol is a likable enough lead with his spontaneous boyish charm, Caitlin Clarke and Chloe Salamon are stunning as the female leads, and Ralph Richardson without a doubt steals the movie as Ulrich. Also, how can I forget the dragon? Plain and simple, best designed dragon in any fantasy film, the movements, the design, the creepiness everything, flawless. Even better than Draco in Dragonheart, despite Sean Connery's majestic voicing. All in all, a couple of minor flaws, but it is most enjoyable, and one of the better fantasy films out there. 8/10 Bethany Cox
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Nov 6, 2009
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Dragonslayer?Powered by Alexa
    • What was the purpose of the lottery?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 26, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • El verdugo de dragones
    • Filming locations
      • Skye, Highland, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Walt Disney Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $18,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,110,013
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,407,939
      • Jun 28, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,110,013
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Peter MacNicol and Caitlin Clarke in Dragonslayer (1981)
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