Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- dark
- pulp
- theatrical
- cult movie night
- 1980s fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film inept and derivative, while later cult appreciation recognizes its energetic swordplay, practical design, and flamboyant fantasy appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Talon returns after a decade of exile to confront Cromwell and reclaim his family's kingdom.
Talon's magnificent three-bladed weapon is repeatedly emphasized as his signature instrument of revenge.
Cromwell awakens the demonic necromancer Xusia to destabilize Eh-Dan and seize the throne.
The film emphasizes rapid action, theatrical villains, extravagant weaponry, and sensational sorcery.
Films like The Sword and the Sorcerer, and why
Conan the Barbarian
shared sword and sorcery adventure, heroic revenge quest, evil sorcery, and pulpy fantasy spectacle
The Beastmaster
shared low-budget heroic fantasy, dynastic conflict, magic, and campy 1980s genre energy
Dragonslayer
shared swordplay, cursed magic, medieval fantasy kingdoms, and supernatural villains
Krull
shared cult fantasy tone, muscular adventure plotting, sorcery, and theatrical practical effects
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Pyun
- Release Date
- 1982-04-01
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (149)
Cast
- Lee Horsley
- Kathleen Beller
- Simon MacCorkindale
- George Maharis
- Richard Lynch
- Richard Moll
- Anthony De Longis
- Robert Tessier
- Nina van Pallandt
- Anna Bjorn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Sword and the Sorcerer about?
- An exiled prince armed with a bizarre triple-bladed sword battles a tyrant and resurrected necromancer to reclaim a ravaged fantasy kingdom.
- What is The Sword and the Sorcerer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sword and the Sorcerer as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Sword and the Sorcerer violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Sword and the Sorcerer as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Sword and the Sorcerer?
- Critics broadly found the film inept and derivative, while later cult appreciation recognizes its energetic swordplay, practical design, and flamboyant fantasy appeal.
- Which films are like The Sword and the Sorcerer?
- Films with a similar feel include Conan the Barbarian, The Beastmaster, Dragonslayer, and Krull.
- How long is The Sword and the Sorcerer?
- The Sword and the Sorcerer runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Sword and the Sorcerer?
- In United States, The Sword and the Sorcerer streams on Amazon Prime Video, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
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