"Dragonslayer" is a film that was a huge box office disappointment for Paramount and Disney and the film lost millions. It's a real shame, as the movie was ahead of its time and was excellent in many ways....and too few saw it on the big screen, though I did....and decided to try watching it again tonight.

The story is extremely simple. A kingdom has made a truce with a dragon. In exchange for not killing everyone, the kingdom has a lottery...and periodically virgins are given to the dragon to appease it. But a group of commoners from the kingdom don't want to continue in this tradition and they approach a sorcerer (Ralph Richardson) to kill the monster. He agrees...but, oddly, seems to have himself killed before he can set off on this journey. Now, his young and rather inept apprentice (Peter MacNicol) takes it upon himself to try to destroy the dragon.

While many folks today might watch the film and think the special effects are quaint or silly, for 1981 it was a heck of an amazing film technically speaking. The dragons were the most realistic seen on films at that time. Additionally, excellent music and dark, forbidding cinematography all work together to make a rather amazing story. Well done in nearly every way and a good film to enjoy with the family, though some might blanch at showing younger kids a brief nude scene early in the picture.

Dragonslayer was in my opinion a very good movie. Without being too camp, it manages to be very entertaining, and along with NeverEnding Story, Princess Bride and Legend this is one of the better fantasy films I have seen. The film benefits from some very stylish costumes and sets, and the breathtaking scenery helps as well. The music score is highly atmospheric, and filled with beautiful and haunting themes. The film has a good plot with some nice twists, themes and turns, a decent script and good characters. I will admit one or two of the supporting characters are thinly sketched compared to the wizard Ulrich, and there are parts when the film suffered from pacing problems. But overall I really enjoyed Dragonslayer. I forgot to mention the acting. Peter MacNicol is a likable enough lead with his spontaneous boyish charm, Caitlin Clarke and Chloe Salamon are stunning as the female leads, and Ralph Richardson without a doubt steals the movie as Ulrich. Also, how can I forget the dragon? Plain and simple, best designed dragon in any fantasy film, the movements, the design, the creepiness everything, flawless. Even better than Draco in Dragonheart, despite Sean Connery's majestic voicing. All in all, a couple of minor flaws, but it is most enjoyable, and one of the better fantasy films out there. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A young apprentice magician played by Peter MacNicol in his film debut is told he's learned all that his master can teach him. Ralph Richardson expects to die soon. But maybe not at the hands of one of the King's men. All for wanting to get rid of a nasty dragon who gets fed a regular diet of virginal women in exchange for leaving his kingdom alone. But when it comes to the royal princess herself, the king thinks we ought to reexamine our policy.

Dragonslayer is a charming fantasy about those things we love in our legends, fierce dragons and the heroes who slay them to save a princess. It deservedly got an Oscar nomination for Best Special Effects and also one for it's original movie score. MacNicol makes a nice debut and wins himself Caitlin Clarke, a lovely catch even if she isn't heir to the realm.

One thing though, what is it about dragons and virgins? Do the women taste sweeter, do they roast better under the dragon's breath if they're virgins? One day someone will do a treatise on that.

Have to give recognition to one of the UK's acting knights. Ralph Richardson is a wonderful sorcerer. A kind of Obi Wan Kenobe to MacNicol's medieval Han Solo. Dragonslayer is worth watching for him alone.

And I hope you see it.