As far as cheesy '80s sword-and-sorcery movies go, THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER ain't all bad. Sure, Albert Pyun's typically disinterested direction lets it down at all times, and some proper fight choreography would have gone a long way to making this a good movie. But as a cheesy, so-bad-it's-good slice of entertainment, it works, thanks to an energy within the film which gives it a real vitality often missing in other genre fare. That, and the fact that the budget stretches (for a change) to some half-decent special effects, especially involving the demon sorcerer, whose gruesome birthing scene at the film's opening is one of the highlights.
I think that it's mainly Albert Pyun's influence that stops this being a genre classic; the direction just feels so slapdash and bored that it's impossible to enjoy things 100%. With this and CYBORG the only half-decent films he ever made, it's incredible that Pyun is still directing, especially with films like TICKER and OMEGA DOOM under his belt. Anyway, this film's plot is inane, ripping off CONAN THE BARBARIAN in a number of ways, although never as convincing. The scripting is also dire and the characterisation – what characterisation? This is the '80s, you know, so expect lots of cheesy sexist humour and bare flesh.
Lee Horsley actually makes for a dashing, old-fashioned hero, and you've gotta love his acting in the crucifixion sequence. He's ably supported by a cast who will win no awards for their acting, but who all seem to have a good time. Kathleen Beller, who is a dead ringer for Mia Sara, is pretty foxy as the love interest, whilst veteran bad guys Richards Lynch and Moll, go completely over the top as the villains. Sure, I can take Moll, whose hulking frame is encased in a rubber demon suit, but Lynch is just pure ham through and through – and all the more fun because of that. Ultimately, though, acting awards are stolen by Robert Tessier as the evil prison guard; despite appearing in little more than an extended cameo, Tessier steals all his moments and is a real hoot. His death scene – which brings new meaning to the phrase "nose to the grindstone" – is fantastic!
Although the silly fight scenes have more in common with XENA than a hard-hitting martial arts flick, there are a few moments of gratuitous violence that distinguish this as an adult film. The aforementioned death by grindstone is one, but there's another highly unpleasant shot in which a bad guy has half his face hacked off with a sword – you only see it for a split second but it still seems pretty jarring. There's a lot of impalement, too, and some torn guts, but the most disgusting moment has to be when the demon sorcerer sheds his human skin; a really sickening scene, with great effects, that'll make you lurch on your lunch! THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER is an instantly forgettable B-movie, but as far as this genre goes, it stands out as one of the most entertaining and well-made (if you can believe that!).
I think that it's mainly Albert Pyun's influence that stops this being a genre classic; the direction just feels so slapdash and bored that it's impossible to enjoy things 100%. With this and CYBORG the only half-decent films he ever made, it's incredible that Pyun is still directing, especially with films like TICKER and OMEGA DOOM under his belt. Anyway, this film's plot is inane, ripping off CONAN THE BARBARIAN in a number of ways, although never as convincing. The scripting is also dire and the characterisation – what characterisation? This is the '80s, you know, so expect lots of cheesy sexist humour and bare flesh.
Lee Horsley actually makes for a dashing, old-fashioned hero, and you've gotta love his acting in the crucifixion sequence. He's ably supported by a cast who will win no awards for their acting, but who all seem to have a good time. Kathleen Beller, who is a dead ringer for Mia Sara, is pretty foxy as the love interest, whilst veteran bad guys Richards Lynch and Moll, go completely over the top as the villains. Sure, I can take Moll, whose hulking frame is encased in a rubber demon suit, but Lynch is just pure ham through and through – and all the more fun because of that. Ultimately, though, acting awards are stolen by Robert Tessier as the evil prison guard; despite appearing in little more than an extended cameo, Tessier steals all his moments and is a real hoot. His death scene – which brings new meaning to the phrase "nose to the grindstone" – is fantastic!
Although the silly fight scenes have more in common with XENA than a hard-hitting martial arts flick, there are a few moments of gratuitous violence that distinguish this as an adult film. The aforementioned death by grindstone is one, but there's another highly unpleasant shot in which a bad guy has half his face hacked off with a sword – you only see it for a split second but it still seems pretty jarring. There's a lot of impalement, too, and some torn guts, but the most disgusting moment has to be when the demon sorcerer sheds his human skin; a really sickening scene, with great effects, that'll make you lurch on your lunch! THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER is an instantly forgettable B-movie, but as far as this genre goes, it stands out as one of the most entertaining and well-made (if you can believe that!).