Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- propulsive
- mythic
- cult movie night
- 1980s fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics generally regarded the film as a derivative but entertaining sword-and-sorcery adventure weakened by overlong pacing, basic acting, and cheap-looking production elements.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dar communicates with and travels alongside an eagle, two ferrets, and a black tiger, making animal partnership central to the quest.
Dar seeks vengeance against high priest Maax and the followers who massacre his village and adopted family.
The film presents sword fights, sorcery, creatures, pyramids, and heroic poses in a stylized early-1980s pulp register.
Maax's priesthood hunts Dar from birth and performs child sacrifices to its gods.
Films like The Beastmaster, and why
Conan the Barbarian
shared sword and sorcery setting, muscular heroism, dark magic, and revenge-driven adventure
The Sword and the Sorcerer
shared fantasy quest structure, supernatural danger, heroic combat, and mythic atmosphere
Deathstalker
shared low-budget sword and sorcery pleasures, campy energy, and magical antagonism
The Dark Crystal
shared animal companionship, fantasy adventure, and a protagonist resisting an oppressive supernatural threat
Movie Details
- Director
- Don Coscarelli
- Release Date
- 1982-08-16
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (484)
Cast
- Marc Singer
- Tanya Roberts
- Rip Torn
- John Amos
- Rod Loomis
- Ben Hammer
- Ralph Strait
- Billy Jayne
- Janet Jones
- Tony Epper
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, History Vault, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- 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 The Beastmaster about?
- A gifted warrior and his extraordinary animal companions challenge the murderous priesthood that destroyed his village.
- What is The Beastmaster like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Beastmaster as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Beastmaster violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Beastmaster as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Beastmaster?
- Critics generally regarded the film as a derivative but entertaining sword-and-sorcery adventure weakened by overlong pacing, basic acting, and cheap-looking production elements.
- Which films are like The Beastmaster?
- Films with a similar feel include Conan the Barbarian, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Deathstalker, and The Dark Crystal.
- How long is The Beastmaster?
- The Beastmaster runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Beastmaster?
- In United States, The Beastmaster streams on fuboTV, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, History Vault, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
