Overview
A young apprentice and a wise wizard embark on a perilous quest to save a kingdom from a dragon's deadly pact.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- ominous
- austere
- lyrical
- classic fantasy night
- cult movie viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's realistic medieval atmosphere, pacing, and impressive dragon effects compelling despite its familiar story and occasional lack of originality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The kingdom, rituals, social hierarchy, and dragon threat are rendered with an unusually realistic material texture for sword-and-sorcery cinema.
The king maintains a pact with the dragon by selecting virgin maidens for ritual sacrifice, including his own daughter.
The film builds suspense around Vermithrax through rumor, aftermath, and anticipation before prominently displaying the dragon.
The sacrificial lottery and the kingdom's religious and political justifications are treated with modern skepticism rather than unquestioned legend.
Films like Dragonslayer, and why
The Seventh Seal
medieval sword-and-sorcery adventure with a morally compromised kingdom and a formidable dragon threat
Excalibur
darkly textured medieval fantasy featuring magic, prophecy, sacrifice, and striking practical effects
The NeverEnding Story
mythic adventure centered on a young magical protagonist confronting an overwhelming supernatural creature
Jaws
grounded monster adventure that builds suspense around a rarely seen creature before a climactic confrontation
Movie Details
- Director
- Matthew Robbins
- Release Date
- 1981-06-26
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (338)
Cast
- Peter MacNicol
- Caitlin Clarke
- Ralph Richardson
- John Hallam
- Peter Eyre
- Albert Salmi
- Sydney Bromley
- Chloe Salaman
- Emrys James
- Ian McDiarmid
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dragonslayer about?
- A skeptical young sorcerer's apprentice challenges a king's dragon pact in a grim, effects-driven medieval fantasy adventure.
- What is Dragonslayer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dragonslayer as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dragonslayer violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Dragonslayer as moderate.
- What did critics think of Dragonslayer?
- Critics broadly found the film's realistic medieval atmosphere, pacing, and impressive dragon effects compelling despite its familiar story and occasional lack of originality.
- Which films are like Dragonslayer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Seventh Seal, Excalibur, The NeverEnding Story, and Jaws.
- How long is Dragonslayer?
- Dragonslayer runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dragonslayer?
- In United States, Dragonslayer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
