(DML Top 20 Lists - Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), Director: Albert Pyun, rated R violence, gore

A kingdom ruled by evil. A princess enslaved by passion. A warrior driven by justice.

Starring: Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis, Richard Lynch, Richard Moll, Anthony De Longis, Robert Tessier

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"I will allow you to live as long as you serve me. Betray me, and I will joyfully send you back to rot in hell."
– Titus Cromwell, to the newly revived demon Xusia

Why watch this? This above-average action flick cashed in on the pre-Conan hype.

Plot Summary: After his kingdom is overthrown by a tyrannical conqueror named Cromwell, a young prince named Talon escapes into exile. Years later, now a seasoned mercenary with a unique tri-bladed sword, Talon is hired by a princess to help her foil the wicked designs of Cromwell and a resurrected evil sorcerer, Xusia.

Dad's Preview: In the early 1980's, there was huge anticipation for DeLarentis' Conan The Barbarian (1982) epic. This shameless knock-off, his screens first, and fared surprising well at the box office. This turned a huge profit because of its much lower budget. Hunky Lee Horsely (of TV's Matt Houston) portrays Talon, a savage, yet surprisingly suave, hero-for-hire. He wields a outlandish three-pronged broadsword. In defiance of known medieval weaponry (and several laws of physics), this weapon somehow launches its exterior blades, as if fired from a bazooka. Frankly, it so bad, it's good! The demon wizard, Xusia, I found to be deliciously terrifying.

Robert S. Bremson, Tom Karnowski, John V.
Stuckmeyer; Group 1 Int'l Dist. Org. Ltd.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #20 Top

Heavy Metal (1981), Director: Gerald Potterton, rated R

Louder and nastier then ever!

Starring: (voices talents of) John Candy, Richard Romanus, Joe Flaherty, Don Francks, Susan Roman, Caroline Semple, Al Waxman, Harvey Atkin, John Vernon, Eugene Levy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Uh, typical robot. The first Earth chick we see in 10 years and he has to make a play for her."– Edsel

Why watch this? It combines Sci-fi with some mischievous naughtiness.

Plot Summary: This adult animated anthology film is based on the science fantasy magazine of the same name. A sinister green orb, described as the sum of all evil, arrives on Earth and terrorizes a young girl, showcasing its destructive influence across different galaxies and dimensions through a series of fantastical stories. The vignettes feature various characters facing challenges and moral dilemmas often involving the orb, like a cynical taxi driver in a futuristic city or a warrior maiden tasked with avenging a ravaged civilization.

Dad's Preview: I remember finding Heavy Metal magazines hidden in my sister's bedroom closet. By flashlight, I leafed through its pages featuring spaceships, aliens races, graphic violence and, you guessed it, some nudity. I was beyond delighted to hear that the film version would feature music from by favorite bands (Sammy Hagar, Black Sabbath, DEVO, Journey, etc.). This anthology features a few of the mag's greatest hits, but they are tied together by the sum of all evils. My favorite segments features Den, a nerdy kid turned muscular hero in another dimension. Today, this racy film has quite a cult following, including me.

Guardian Trust Co., Canadian Film Dev. Corp.,
Famous Players, Potterton Prod.;
Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #19 Top

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977), Director: Sam Wanamaker, rated G

The Greatest of All Adventurers in His Biggest Adventure of All!

Starring: Patrick Wayne, Taryn Power, Margaret Whiting, Jane Seymour, Patrick Troughton, Kurt Christian, Nadim Sawalha, Damien Thomas, Bruno Barnabe, Bernard Key

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Sail for Rhodes or Tripoli, captain. You'll find richer cargo there. Set sail in search of Melanthius and you'll set a course for Hell and damnation." - Zenobia

Why watch this? The final Harryhausen Sinbad adventure film has the creatures we've learned to expect from this creative filmmaker.

Plot Summary: When Sinbad arrives to propose to Princess Farah, he discovers her brother, Prince Kassim, has been turned into a baboon by their evil stepmother, Zenobia. Sinbad embarks on a quest with Princess Farah and the transformed prince to seek a cure from a legendary sage named Melanthius. Their journey takes them to the lost land of Hyperborea, a fertile valley in the icy north, as Zenobia relentlessly pursues them.

Dad's Preview: Film creator Ray Harryhausen set about to create fantastical worlds and eras for millions to enjoy. With this film he returned one final time to Sinbad, the Arabian sailor of yore. Though not his best work, he still created a plethora of magical beasts using stop-motion animation. I personally never tire of the craftsmanship on display: an intelligent baboon, an iron Minotaur, a saber-toothed tiger, a gigantic walrus. I wasn't too crazy about anglo-handsome Patrick Wayne (son of John Wayne) as the lead (Sinbad would be an Arab), but the inclusion of Jane Seymour more than made up for it. This adventure covers a lot of ground, its climax at the frozen North Pole. So put your eye on this tiger and enjoy.

Andor Films; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #18 Top

Clash of the Titans (1981), Director: Desmond Davis, rated PG

Experience The Fantastic!

Starring: Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier, Judi Bowker, Maggie Smith, Burgess Meredith, Ursula Andress

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You must win Medusa's head. She's not going to give it to you. As a present. As difficult and dangerous as to vanquish a thousand Krakens. Your only chance against the Kraken. Give us the eye." - Stygian Witch

Why watch this? It's fun adventure on a grand scale worthy of the Gods.

Plot Summary: In ancient Greece, Perseus, the son of the god Zeus, grows to manhood on an island after escaping a cruel fate inflicted upon him as a newborn by his grandfather, King Acrisius. Guided by the Olympian gods, Perseus embarks on a series of adventures to win the hand of Princess Andromeda and defeat the monstrous creatures who stand in his way, including the evil Calibos. Ultimately, Perseus must faces the formidable Kraken to save Andromeda and secure their destiny.

Dad's Preview: This is Ray Harryhausen's last great fantasy film. It is loosely based on the Greek myth of heroic Perseus. With help from winged Pegasus, he must battle beasts of all kinds: the snake-haired Medusa, the scheming troll Calibas, and the gigantic Kraken, a titan of the sea. The effects, featuring Harryhausen's stop-motion animation, are as wonderful as we'd expect from the master. This entire fantasy tale is incredible and suited for the whole family.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Charles H. Schneer Prod.;
United Artists

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #17 Top

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Director: Nathan Juran, rated G

The Sheer Magic of DYNARAMA Now Re-creates the Most Spectacular Adventures Ever Filmed!

Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Torin Thatcher, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Alec Mango, Danny Green, Alfred Brown

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"From the land beyond beyond. From the world past hope and fear. I bid you, genie, now appear." - Sokurah the Magician

Why watch this? The mythical creatures are a treat, especially the hungry Cyclops!

Plot Summary: When an evil wizard shrinks a princess, Sinbad must journey to a dangerous island to find the only cure. This perilous quest is crucial, not only to save the princess, but also to prevent a war between two kingdoms. Sinbad and his crew face terrifying creatures and overcome magical obstacles in their quest to restore the princess to her normal size.

Dad's Preview: This is Ray Harryhausen's first Sinbad film, of three. I was never a fan of casting a Caucasian in the role of the famed sailor Sinbad, whose an Arab from the Middle East, but I can let that go. The featured special effects and creatures include a two-headed roc, a man-eating Cyclops, and an awesome fire-breathing dragon. These fantastical films were my childhood's Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pics

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #16 Top

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), Director: Peter Jackson, rated PG-13

From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends.

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Ken Stott, Ian Holm, Graham McTavish, Aidan Turner, Dean O-Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Ccallen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, Cate Blanchett

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead." - Gandalf

Why watch this? It's a cinematic return to Middle Earth.

Plot Summary: In this fantasy adventure, a home-loving hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is recruited by the wizard Gandalf to join a company of thirteen dwarves on a quest. They embark on a perilous journey across treacherous lands to reclaim the dwarves' lost kingdom from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo must find the courage he never knew he had while facing orcs, goblins, and a creature named Gollum.

Dad's Preview: This film was originally planned as a two-film adaptation of Tolkien's The Hobbit (1937), and Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy (2004)) was slated to direct. As things will happen, del Toro exited the project and Peter Jackson took over as director. The result is a film that divided critics. There is a lot to like: Freeman is excellent as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen returns as Galdalf, the ending is the film's strongest segment. However, there are some negatives, too. It feels rushed, probably a result of Jackson stepping in to direct at the last minute. The opening of the film, where the dwarfs gather at Bilbo's house, is overtly silly and just too long, as is the film as a whole. Tolkien purists will probably be in their glory here, but as a casual film-goer, I expected more from the same team that gave us the amazing original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Wingnut Films; Warner Bros. Pics

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #15 Top

Jason and the Argonauts (1963), Director: Don Chaffey, rated G

Greatest Odyssey Of The Ages - for the first time on the screen

Starring: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith, Niall MacGinnis, Michael Gwynn, Nigel Green, Douglas Wilmer

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Rise up, you dead, slain of the hydra. Rise from your graves and avenge us. Those who steal the Golden Fleece must die." – King Aeetes

Why watch this? Many consider this Ray Harryhausen's best film. He thought so, too.

Plot Summary: Young Jason returns to claim his rightful throne, only to be challenged by his uncle, King Pelias, to seek the legendary Golden Fleece. Jason gathers a crew of heroes, the Argonauts, and embarks on a perilous voyage filled with monstrous creatures and unforeseen dangers across uncharted seas. Guided by the goddess Hera and encountering allies and betrayals, the crew faces incredible obstacles in their quest to find the fleece and ultimately determine Jason's destiny.

Dad's Preview: Per Greek legend, Jason, a sailor of reputation, was tasked by Pelias to retrieve the fabled Golden Fleece. In this tale, he assembles the finest crew including the mighty Hercules. On their quest they must face harpies, the bronzed giant Talos, a multi-headed hydra, and an army of living skeletons. The skeleton scene alone took four months to complete - for a screen-time of 3 minutes. It's visually ground-breaking, and still incredible to this day.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #14 Top

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), Director: Gore Verbinski, rated PG-13

Captain Jack is back.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Kevin McNally, David Bailie, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Martin Klebba, David Schofield

"Do you fear... death? Do you fear that dark abyss? All your deeds laid bare, all your sins punished?" - Davey Jones

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

Why watch this? A pretty nice second helping of Jack Sparrow sea-gruel.

Plot Summary: Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner's wedding plans are disrupted when they are arrested for aiding Captain Jack Sparrow's escape. Lord Cutler Beckett offers them a deal: find Jack and retrieve his mysterious compass, or face execution. Jack, meanwhile, is being pursued by the legendary Davy Jones, to whom he owes a blood debt and a key to a mysterious "dead man's chest".

Dad's Preview: First, I am team-Jack-Sparrow. The quirky life that Johnny Depp gives this drunken, allegiance-shifting swashbuckler is second to none. A sequel was inevitable, and this film certainly gives us more of the original's charm. The addition of the tentacled Captain Davey Jones is CGI art, as are those sealife-hybrid crew members aboard his ship, the Flying Dutchman. It's also interesting how they tie in Will's father. This adventure gets off the rails during some of its action sequences. As with most sequels, it attempts to one-up its predecessor. Frankly, the scene with the giant water wheel is completely impossible and ridiculously unbelievable, eliciting the wrong kind of laughs. Still, there is a lot to like, and cheer on, as you sit back and chow down on your $25 bucket of popcorn.

Walt Disney Prod.; Buena Vista Distributing

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #13 Top

300 (2006), Director: Zack Snyder, rated R for graphic battle, sexuality, nudity

Prepare for Glory!

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Tom Wisdom, Michael Fassbender

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"No retreat, no surrender. That is Spartan law. And by Spartan law, we will stand and fight... and die." – Leonidas

Why watch this? Snyder's film-making fingerprint is on full display in this testosterone-packed adventure.

Plot Summary: In ancient Greece, King Leonidas leads 300 brave Spartan warriors to defend their city-state against the massive invading Persian army led by Xerxes. They take a stand at the narrow mountain pass of Thermopylae to hold back the vastly outnumbered Greeks. Despite the overwhelming odds, they fight fiercely and inspire the rest of Greece to unite against their common enemy.

Dad's Preview: This retelling of a great Spartan battle is intense and highly stylized. It is a hero's epic showcasing the fighting skills and bravery of a small group of soldiers who are betrayed by their own country. Like most Zach Snyder films, it is visually unique, with a certain heavy feel to it. Everyone in the film is gorgeous, and they have the CGI-enhanced abs to prove it. Though unrealistic, it's still a stunning film to behold. This was Gerard Butler's break-out film, as the stern Leonidas.

Legendary Pictures, Virtual Studios,
Atmosphere Pictures; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #12 Top

Ladyhawke (1985), Director: Richard Donner, rated PG-13 for medieval violence

The magical legend of an unforgettable love.

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern, John Wood, Alfred Molina, Ken Hutchison

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Do you know that hawks and wolves mate for life? The Bishop didn't even leave us that... not even that." - Etienne

Why watch this? This fantasy film is tragic, sad, then finally enrapturing.

Plot Summary: Phillipe "The Mouse" Gaston is a young thief who escapes prison in medieval Aquila. He becomes intertwined with Captain Navarre and Lady Isabeau, a pair of star-crossed lovers under a powerful curse. This curse, inflicted by a wicked Bishop, causes Navarre to become a wolf at night and Isabeau a hawk during the day, keeping them eternally together yet apart. Phillipe, an unlikely ally, joins their quest to confront the Bishop and break the enchantment.

Dad's Preview: Hauer, Pfeiffer and Broderick were at the height of their popularity in the mid 80's. This small film saw only moderate success and was deemed a box office failure. Regardless, I am captivated by its plot - a cruel curse keeps two lovers from ever being together. The quest in this lovely fairytale is to find a way to break the spell. The film was praised for its photography, and nominated for two Oscars for Sound and Sound Effects Editing. And seriously, is there anyone more beautiful than Michelle Pfeiffer?

20th Century Fox, Laren Shuler
Prod.; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #11 Top

Conan the Barbarian (1982), Director: John Milius, rated R for nudity, violence, gore

Slave. Barbarian. Warrior. Thief... Conan.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gaviola, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valerie Quennessen, William Smith, Max von Sydow

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Crom, all that matters is that today, two stood against many. Valor pleases you, so grant me this one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, to HELL with you!" – Conan

Why watch this? It's a sprawling adventure in a world where swords and wizards rule.

Plot Summary: Young Conan witnesses the horrific massacre of his village and the death of his parents at the hands of a snake cult leader named Thulsa Doom. He endures years of harsh slavery and training, growing into a powerful warrior consumed by a desire for revenge. Seeking vengeance, Conan embarks on a dangerous quest across the Hyborian Age, encountering allies and confronting the evil forces led by Doom.

Dad's Preview: As a fan of the paperback Conan books, I long craved a Conan film. Then came this big Milius/De Laurentiis production featuring the physically unmatched Arnold Schwarzenegger. What could go wrong? First, there is a lot that is very RIGHT. We are transported to Conan's Hyborean age. The plot and fight scenes are great. However, the filmmakers simply missed the true nature of Conan; how he is portrayed from the written page, including Marvels comic books. It's a nit thing, but it will forever bug me.

Dino De Laurentiis Corp.; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #10 Top

Princess Mononoke (1997), Director: Hayao Miyazaki, rated PG-13

The Fate Of The World Rests On The Courage Of One Warrior.

Starring: (English voice cast:) Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Billy Bob Thornton, John DeMita, John DiMaggio, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gillian Anderson, Debi Derryberry, Keith David, Tara Strong

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Now watch closely, everyone. I'm going to show you how to kill a god. A god of life and death. The trick is not to fear him." - Lady Eboshi

Why watch this? It is yet another wonderful animated treasure from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Plot Summary: Set in the Muromachi period of Japanese history, young Prince Ashitaka is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. There, he becomes embroiled in a conflict between Iron Town, a community encroaching upon the forest and its inhabitants, and the forest spirits, led by the enigmatic Princess Mononoke. Ashitaka attempts to mediate between the opposing forces, seeking a path to coexistence before the escalating violence consumes both humans and nature.

Dad's Preview: If you enjoyed Dorothy's journey in Oz, or Charlie's adventure in Willie's factory, then this amazing fantasy fare might be right up your alley. Director/Writer Miyazaki creates such incredible visuals that, at first, you might be overwhelmed. This quest through Japanese mythology, where demons and forest gods hold considerable power over humans, plays like a Greek tragedy. As man moves becomes more dominant, nature and the gods of nature, must be destroyed to enable man to essentially rape the natural world of its resources. Standing in the way are a brave warrior, and a wolf whisperer, both determined to stop the human's rampant destruction. The animation is off-the-charts amazing, and the story rich with allegory. A visit to this world will leave you wondering about humankind, and our role in preserving the natural world we live in. James Cameron said this film influenced his meta-hit, Avatar (2009).

Studio Ghibli; Toho

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #9 Top

How to Train Your Dragon (2010), Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, rated PG

What started as fire and fury will become friendship.

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Jay Baruchel, Randy Thom, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Most people would leave. Not us. We're Vikings. We... have stubbornness issues." - Hiccup

Why watch this? It's a wonderful, action-filled tale about Vikings and air-borne dragons.

Plot Summary: Viking 101: They kill dragons - all of the many kinds. On the island village of Berk, chieftain Stoick the Vast, has a teen son, Hiccup, who is a wiz with creating mechanical devices, yet weak by dad's brawny standards. When Hiccup shoots down a rare Night Fury dragon, nobody believes him. After searching the nearby forest for the dragon's body, Hiccup finds the downed beast very alive and kinda friendly. Meanwhile, Stoick enrolls the lad in dragon-fighting class, as he once sails away to destroy the monsters' nests. Hiccup desperately seeks his dad's approval, but can he actually take a dragon's life?

Dad's Preview: This beloved animated treasure features misunderstood flying monsters, and the Scottish norse-folk, who have killed the beasts for as long as they can remember. There's also a loveable cadre of teenage Vikes who strive to be the best dragon-slayers. However, for me, the core of this film is a broken relationship between a father and his son. Once again, DreamWorks has put forth a delightful, high-quality children's film. It also should resonate with many adults, especially fathers who might have been too hard on their sons. But rest assured folks, in this colorful adventure, all will be put right by the end credits.

DreamWorks Animation; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #8 Top

Army of Darkness (1992), Director: Sam Raimi, rated R for violence, gore, language

Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Richard Grove, Patricia Tallman, Timothy Patrick, Michael Earl, Bridget Fonda

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Well hello Mister Fancy-pants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things, right now: Jack and shit... and Jack just left town." - Ash

Why watch this? Where the first two films just stayed in one place, this one goes someplace very interesting - the Middle Ages!

Plot Summary: Ash Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D. To return to his own time, he must retrieve the Necronomicon, a book of evil, and battle an army of the dead it has unleashed. Ash must lead medieval knights against skeletal forces and use his modern ingenuity to defeat the supernatural threat.

Dad's Preview: This is the third film in the famed "Evil Dead" series by director Sam Raimi. In my opinion, this is the best. It takes the horror aspect of the first two films and turns it on its head. Ash is transported to the Middle Ages and there encounters an unspeakable evil, all caused by the Book of the Dead. With a shotgun in one hand and a chainsaw strapped on the other, Ash revels in this newfound land where a gun can make you a god. "Shop smart, shop S-Mart!"

Dino De Laurentiis Comm., Renaissance Pics,
Introvision Int.; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #7 Top

The Princess Bride (1987), Director: Rob Reiner, rated PG

The story of a man and a woman who lived happily ever after. Even though the courtship almost killed them.

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Faulk, Fred Savage

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”– Indigo Montoya

Why watch this? ... True 'tis a fairy tale, but it's laced with wisdom adults will enjoy.

Plot Summary: The story unfolds as a grandfather reads a fantastical tale to his sick grandson about a beautiful woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley. After Westley is believed lost at sea, Buttercup is unwillingly betrothed to the nefarious Prince Humperdinck. However, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws, but is relentlessly pursued by a mysterious man in black and Humperdinck himself, leading to a series of unexpected encounters and adventures.

Dad's Preview: This wonder found me late in life, and long after its theatrical debut. I could not believe how much I loved what I thought would be somehow childish. It's directed by Rob Reiner, and has an almost Monty-Python-esc feel to it. Kids will love it, but there's a lot of intelligent wit, too. Each scene is memorable including small cameos from Billy Crystal and Wallace Shawn. And be sure to keep an eye out for the R.U.S.es!

Act III Communications, Buttercup Films;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #6 Top

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974), Director: Gordon Hessler, rated G

Sinbad Battles the Creatures of Legend in the Miracle of Dynarama!

Starring: John Phillip Law, Tom Baker, Takis Emmanuel, Caroline Munro, Douglas Wilmer, Martin Shaw

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel." - Sinbad

Why watch this? This is vintage, wonderful Ray Harryhausen - it may be his best work.

Plot Summary: Sinbad discovers a magical golden amulet that sets him on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Fountain of Destiny located on the uncharted island of Lemuria. He is joined by a vizier and a mysterious slave girl as they embark on a journey filled with mythical creatures, tempests, and dark interference from the evil sorcerer Koura. Sinbad must battle Koura and his magical creations to unlock the amulet's power and reach the fabled fountain.

Dad's Preview: This treasure almost made DML Top50, but lost out to Valley of Gwangi (1969). This is the best of Ray's Sinbad films. As Sinbad and his crew work to restore the Grand Vizier to this rightful throne, they must battle a sorcerer and his powerful magic and monstrous giant creatures. The acting feels natural, the villain is deliciously evil, and the special effects - well... they're freakin' awesome! Also, an un-credited Robert Shaw lent his talents to portray the ghastly "Oracle of All Knowledge" (The British actor felt this cameo was "beneath him", so he insisted on being uncredited).

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #5 Top

Excalibur (1981), Director: John Boorman, rated PG for some nudity, Medieval violence

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King.

Starring: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Cherie Lunghi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #38 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Excalibur

"You will be the land, and the land will be you. If you fail, the land will perish; as you thrive, the land will blossom." - Merlin

Why watch this? ... because it is the Arthurian legend in vivid, wonderful detail.

Plot Summary: Told here is the epic tale of King Arthur, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to the throne of a unified Britain. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Merlin, Arthur establishes the legendary Round Table and builds the realm of Camelot, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. However, the kingdom's glory is threatened by internal strife, including betrayal, forbidden love, and the insidious plots of Arthur's treacherous half-sister, the sorceress Morgana.

Dad's Preview: You've heard the stories... the wise King Arthur... the sword in the stone... the mysterious sorcerer Merlin... Sir Lancelot the brave. British director John Boorman masterfully wrought this film about those legends, and it is perfection to behold. Like a spell's dream, we witness each event in many instances through Merlin's eyes. It's hypnotic, heroic, tragic, and wonderfully allegorical. It really is a fable come to life.

Orion Pictures, Cinema '84; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #4 Top

Highlander (1986), Director: Russell Mulcahy, rated R for violence, language

There can be only one.

Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart, Alan North, Beatie Edney, Sheila Gish, Jon Polito, Hugh Quarshie

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The Kurgan. He is the strongest of all the immortals. He's the perfect warrior. If he wins the Prize mortal man would suffer an eternity of darkness." - Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez

Why watch this? ... the wonderful blend of history and sci-fi sets this action film apart.

Plot Summary: Connor MacLeod, a 16th-century Scottish Highlander, discovers that he is immortal after surviving a seemingly fatal battle wound. He is trained by another immortal named Ramirez, who explains that immortals can only be killed by decapitation and are destined to fight each other until only a few remain for The Gathering. In 1985 New York City, Connor must face his ancient nemesis, the evil Kurgan, in a final battle for the ultimate Prize.

Dad's Preview: The mid 80's hatched a sea of action films ranging from good to bad, most of the bad films being rip-offs of something that was a surprise success. Highlander was definitely one of the good ones thanks to its creative plot and, of course, Sean Connery. It is part old-world adventure, science fiction and gritty crime drama. It covers a lot ground (and time periods), but never stops being fun. I love the performances from Connery and the over-the-top Clancy Brown, as the demonic immortal, Kurgan.

Thorn EMI Screen Ent., Highlander Prod.,
Davis-Panzer Prod.; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #3 Top

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Director: Gore Verbinski, rated PG-13 for undead violence, scary scenes

Prepare to be blown out of the water.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Zoe Saldana

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #49 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Curse of the Black Pearl

"You best start believin' in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one!" - Capt. Barbossa

Why watch this? It's piraty. It's spooky. It's Knightley. It's Deppy.

Plot Summary: Blacksmith Will Turner and eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow team up to rescue Elizabeth Swann, the daughter of Governor Swann, after she is kidnapped by pirates of the Black Pearl. This perilous journey involves commandeering a ship, recruiting a motley crew, and confronting the treacherous Captain Barbossa, a former ally of Jack, who stole his ship.

Dad's Preview: I like heroes. I also like them covered in dirt. They need a murky past. Tattoos are good - and a quirky personality. This film struck a gold mine by casting Johnny Depp (BTW, Hugh Jackman was the first choice) as Captain Jack Sparrow, and his performance knocks the film out of the Disney theme park ride that inspired it. The plot and special effects are superb in this swashbuckling, supernatural, pirate adventure.

Walt Disney Pics, Jerry Bruckheimer Films;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #2 Top

The 13th Warrior (1999), Director: John McTiernan, rated R for bloody battles and carnage

An Ordinary Man...An Extraordinary Journey!

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Vladimir Kulich, Dennis Storhøi, Omar Sharif, Richard Bremmer, Mischa Hausserman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #40 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The 13th Warrior

"Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." - Herger, the Joyous

Why watch this? It took McTiernan and Crichton to create superb Viking film.

Plot Summary: In 922 A.D., an Arab envoy named Ahmad Ibn Fadlan travels north and encounters a group of Viking warriors. When a nearby village is threatened by a mysterious and deadly foe, Ibn Fadlan is compelled to join the Vikings as the thirteenth warrior to face this unknown enemy. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect the innocent and confront the formidable force terrorizing the land.

Dad's Preview: Antonio Banderas and director John McTiernan, somehow pull off perhaps the greatest film EVER about Vikings. The superb plot comes from prolific writer Michael Crichton's book, Eaters of the Dead. Director McTiernan was wise to spend time early on to develop these characters. We get to know each Viking warrior, their unique personalities and skills. As the various skirmishes ensue, we feel genuine loss when one loses a head or takes a quiver full of arrows into their chest. This often overlooked epic is vast, heroic, and so much fun to experience!

Touchstone Pics; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #1a Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL.

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5a - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." - Boromir, about the ring Frodo has found

Why watch this? The first of Jackson's Tolkien film adaptations will lock you in for more.

Plot Summary: The fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as the Dark Lord Sauron seeks to regain the One Ring, a powerful object containing a part of his might. The Ring has fallen into the hands of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who learns from the wizard Gandalf that it must be destroyed. Frodo and eight companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring, embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be unmade in the fires of Mount Doom.

Dad's Preview: This is the first film in the most wonderful fantasy trilogy ever made. Here, Middle Earth's diverse main characters are introduced, and the epic journey begins. It starts in the green shire, home to the peaceful Hobbits, then traverses fields, quiet hamlets, dank forests, expansive plains, snowy mountains, and finally the dark, goblin-infested labyrinths of the Mines of Moria. It's epic and emotionally taxing, as the fragile Fellowship trudges onward on its quest to destroy the one thing that is evil manifested - the ring of power, which makes it a target of the burning eye of Sauron, the evil Lord who craves it the most.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #1b Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH BEGINS!

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5b - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Two Towers

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" – King Théoden before the Battle of Helm's Deep

Why watch this? The second film perfectly stands on its own with attention to story and amazing battle sequences.

Plot Summary: The Fellowship is now scattered as the fight against Sauron and his allies intensifies. Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, while being trailed by the enigmatic creature Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli unite with a resurrected Gandalf to rally the forces of Rohan against Saruman's growing army and defend the stronghold of Helm's Deep. The hobbits Merry and Pippin find themselves in the ancient Fangorn Forest and encounter the tree-like Ents, whom they must convince to join the fight against the encroaching darkness.

Dad's Preview: The brave Fellowship has been torn asunder, their wise leader dragged into fiery darkness. Director Peter Jackson continued his beloved film adaptation of J. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with determination to get it right. The middle film adds richness to each Fellowship member, and brings new players (some heroic, some tragic) into focus. We also are introduced to a key antagonist, the sinister Golem, who desires the return of his ring. The massive battle at Helm's Deep is unforgettable. But the war is not over and we are left wanting a conclusion to this fantastical tale.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Films #1c Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE EYE OF THE ENEMY IS MOVING.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5c - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Return of the King

"We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time." - Gandalf the White

Why watch this? After two massive films, this delivers on all open plot threads and every moment is a treasure.

Plot Summary: The forces of good launch a final, desperate struggle against Sauron's overwhelming armies as Frodo and Sam undertake the harrowing final stages of their quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn embraces his destiny as the rightful king of Gondor and leads the forces of men in battle, while Frodo and Sam, guided by the treacherous Gollum, navigate the perilous lands of Mordor towards Mount Doom. As the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, each character faces their own trials of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in the hope of defeating the Dark Lord and restoring peace to the land.

Dad's Preview: As the principal characters inch ever closer to their fates, we feel the weight, Frodo's weight, and it is almost too much to bear. With Gimli, Legolas and Aragon lost inside the mountain pass, the army of man, led by Gandalf and King Théoden, must prevail in the final battle at the foot of towering Minas Tirith, the White City. All this is to buy time for two hobbits, Frodo and Sam, to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the ring. They encounter danger at every turn, the worst being the betrayal of Golem.This Oscar-winning final chapter is without question the finest fantasy film ever made.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema