Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Brutal
- earnest
- pulp
- campy
- cult movie night
- b movie marathon
What critics said
Critics overwhelmingly regarded the film as a poorly assembled, overblown fantasy production, with only occasional praise for its visual ambition and brief runtime.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Princess Tanis seeks to unite five great warriors, making the assembly of the combatants the central quest mechanism.
The film pursues an ambitious sword-and-sorcery world of kingdoms, warriors, and sorcery while critical reception repeatedly notes its visually intriguing but haphazard execution.
A demon sorceress endangers the kingdom, turning the princess's quest into a direct struggle against supernatural domination.
The story ends unexpectedly and leaves the larger tale unresolved, with viewers noting the apparent need for a sequel.
Films like Tales of an Ancient Empire, and why
The Sword and the Sorcerer
low-budget sword and sorcery fantasy with warriors, magic, and an imperiled kingdom
Deathstalker
campy fantasy adventure centered on a quest, magical conflict, and stylized warriors
Hawk the Slayer
ensemble quest fantasy featuring heroic fighters confronting supernatural evil
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Pyun
- Release Date
- 2010-07-31
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 2.9 / 10 (30)
Cast
- Whitney Able
- Kevin Sorbo
- Ralf Moeller
- Jennifer Siebel Newsom
- Michael Paré
- Melissa Ordway
- Matthew Willig
- Sarah Ann Schultz
- Lee Horsley
- Scott Paulin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tales of an Ancient Empire about?
- A princess gathers legendary warriors for a perilous sword-and-sorcery campaign against a demon sorceress threatening her kingdom.
- What is Tales of an Ancient Empire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tales of an Ancient Empire as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Tales of an Ancient Empire violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Tales of an Ancient Empire as brutal.
- What did critics think of Tales of an Ancient Empire?
- Critics overwhelmingly regarded the film as a poorly assembled, overblown fantasy production, with only occasional praise for its visual ambition and brief runtime.
- Which films are like Tales of an Ancient Empire?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sword and the Sorcerer, Deathstalker, and Hawk the Slayer.
- How long is Tales of an Ancient Empire?
- Tales of an Ancient Empire runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tales of an Ancient Empire?
- In United States, Tales of an Ancient Empire streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
