UHD Review Dragonslayer UHD Review (1 Viewer)

[Neil Middlemiss]

Newcomers to Dragonslayer may question the overall attraction and affection for this film. I get that. But the dragon, all the special effects work to realize the full fire-breathing creature, are worth the price of admission alone. This 4K is only the second time I’ve seen Dragonslayer having not caught it at all in the 80s (I first saw it within the last 10 years). Not having that critical introduction around the time of its release does take away some of the adoration I might otherwise have had. The kind of adoration I have for films like Conan the Barbarian, Krull, heck, even Beastmaster. But Dragonslayer has an enduring charm that should come across to newcomers and will certainly grow in additional viewings as it has for me.



Dragonslayer (1981)



Released: 26 Jun 1981
Rated: PG
Runtime: 109 min




Director: Matthew Robbins
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy...

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[Robert Crawford]

I guess the movie didn't float your boat. Anyhow, it's a movie I'd enjoyed ever since it's theatrical run. My 4K disc is arriving in the next couple of days.

Oops, thank you for your fine review.

 

[Neil Middlemiss]

I guess the movie didn't float your boat. Anyhow, it's a movie I'd enjoyed ever since it's theatrical run. My 4K disc is arriving in the next couple of days.

Oh, it sure did. I've updated my production score to reflect my actual reaction

 

[Robert Crawford]

Oh, it sure did. I've updated my production score to reflect my actual reaction

I guess I should have known since you recommended this 4K release.

 

[benbess]

Thanks for this perceptive review. Haven't seen this since 1981, but I'm thinking of picking it up.

 

[Wayne Klein]

It’s a terrific movie with a touch of Terry Gilliam ‘Middle Ages’ and humor dotted throughout the film. It’s a fun film and well made. Paramount has done a loving restoration and clean up of some of the flaws.

 

[FlashGordon1980]

A hidden gem. I saw it theatrically and was impressed. Refreshingly adult and realistic for a fantasy film. And it's aged magnificently. I've owned every incarnation on video, and this is by far the best. Color and black levels are finally balanced, with a subtle digital cleanup. A treat for fans of practical effects enhancing solid storytelling. Loaded with atmospheric vistas and visuals.

 

[Dick]

It’s a terrific movie with humor dotted throughout the film.

The droll humor of Ralph Richardson is most welcome. The silly, borderline-slapstick "humor" with the Peter McNicol character had the potential to ruin the carefully-crafted atmosphere ("What's the matter, Hobbs, load too heavy?" etc.) Fortunately, the apparent efforts to Disney-fy the film enough to make it more palatable for family audiences are finally outweighed by the brilliance of the other characters, the moody cinematography and music score, and, of course, the magnificent dragon, which to this day remains second-to-none.

 

[Todd Erwin]

This is a terrific release, just wish that other cult favorite from earlier this year (YSH) got the same attention, at least transfer-wise.

I noticed one slight mistake in the commentary, where Robbins mentions the film being mixed at Skywalker Sound, when the end credits indicate it was actually mixed at Zoetrope (which would make more sense since it was Walter Murch who oversaw the final mix).

 

[Robert Crawford]

This is a terrific release, just wish that other cult favorite from earlier this year (YSH) got the same attention, at least transfer-wise.

I noticed one slight mistake in the commentary, where Robbins mentions the film being mixed at Skywalker Sound, when the end credits indicate it was actually mixed at Zoetrope (which would make more sense since it was Walter Murch who oversaw the final mix).

What is YSH?

 

[Todd Erwin]

What is YSH?

Really? Or is that what you think Paramount is saying?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Really? Or is that what you think Paramount is saying?

I'm too old in dealing with acronyms, especially after frying some brain cells hooking up a new receiver today.

 

[Todd Erwin]

I'm too old in dealing with acronyms, especially after frying some brain cells hooking up a new receiver today.

Try installing a new video card in a desktop, only to have the manufacturer supplied driver not work, and then after hours on the phone you just give up and install the latest driver from the chipset manufacturer instead, and everything works.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Try installing a new video card in a desktop.

These days, plugging in an electric cord is a chore for me.

 

[Malcolm R]

What is YSH?

I'm guessing Young Sherlock Holmes.

 

[stevenHa]

I don't remember how the film looked back in the early 80s, but is the end battle scenes with the dragon too dark ?

 

[Tino]

I'm too old in dealing with acronyms, especially after frying some brain cells hooking up a new receiver today.

Which receiver did you buy? I may be looking to upgrade.

 

[JoshZ]

I don't remember how the film looked back in the early 80s, but is the end battle scenes with the dragon too dark ?

It's still a dark scene, but it's much better than previous video editions. You can see the dragon well defined and tell what's happening in this one.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Which receiver did you buy? I may be looking to upgrade.

A Yamaha RX-A8A

 

[Robert Crawford]

My 4K/UHD arrived today and with a digital code.