There is a subtle realism to the movie Dragonslayer that is missing from most fantasy films. Watch the characters carefully and you may spot it. Their clothes are handmade and worn. Haircuts aren't the latest Hollywood fashion, but rather rightfully appear as though they may have been done with a knife. In short, this is a film that looks as though it takes place in a time long ago. This is refreshing considering that most of these sorts of films look as though they were filmed in some state park and with wardrobes from Costumes-R-Us.

Dragonslayer begins at a wizard's keep. A group from the township of Urland have come to enlist the help of the wizard Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) in the task of slaying a dragon. The King has struck a bargain by which the dragon will spare the town as long as one virgin is sacrificed twice a year (exactly how it is that dragons are able to detect the virtue of their victims is something that the fantasy genre has never satisfactorily explained -- also, if dragons have a taste for humans, why do they demand virgins? You'd think they'd want us to reproduce before eating us).

Before setting off for Urland, Tyrian (John Hallam), one of the King's henchmen, demands a test from Ulrich. This test appears to go horribly wrong and Ulrich dies. Disillusioned and disappointed, the group from Urland set off for home and leave the wizard's apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol) and caretaker, Hodge (Sydney Bromley) to their grief.

Galen begins to suspect that perhaps he has gained enough skill and knowledge that he might be able to take over for his dead master. He packs up his gear and he and Hodge set off to catch up with the Urlanders. When Galen finally begins to confront the dragon, we get the impression that many in Urland, particularly the King and those close to him, aren't all that interested in having the dragon killed and ending their pact. Fear is a wonderful method of control and the King exploits every ounce of fear to keep Urland under his power.

Now, the real star of this film is the dragon itself. The film wisely doesn't show us too much of it. Of course part of this is due to the special effects limitations of 1981, but there is also an element of suspense created by keeping it hidden. When we finally do get a good look at the beast, it isn't a let-down. Of all of the movie dragons I've seen, this one is by far the best. It is exactly what I picture in my mind when I think of these monsters. Amazingly, the special effects even seem to hold up quite well. The dragon was created using a technique called go-motion, which is an evolution of stop-motion animation that creates more natural movements. The effects are dated, but they still work.

A while back I reviewed the film Krull. I recalled that I really loved the film as a kid, but that it didn't age well. The plot and acting was just too juvenile to be appealing to an adult audience. Dragonslayer is a perfect contrast to Krull. Dragonslayer is a film that I also loved as a kid, and in watching it again, I gained new respect for it. The plot is simple, but smart. The acting is well-done and the film effectively creates a convincing world of ancient swords and sorcery.

I can't say why Dragoneslayer seemed to fade into obscurity, but it has always retained a small, but devoted following. Perhaps now that it's on DVD, and with the resurgence of the fantasy genre, people will give the film another look.