It is the time of Kings, sorcerers, dragons,
virgins and dragonslayers. All gone. Dragons it appears had a particular
taste for virgins. Are they sweeter? Or tender like veal? Or was it really
the male hierarchy that decided virgins were the best sacrifice? Did they
ever try with an unchaste female? The village gossip. A widow. Or even a
young plump boy? Of course not. But in the ancient country of Urland,
it is virgins offered to the crusty old dragon in his mountain lair. Fathers
have to put their virgin daughter's names into a lottery from which is chosen
the winner. The girl who will give up her life for the good of the village.
It seems to be working. A dragon with only the smallest of appetites. I am
only surprised that a Designated Cherry Breaker has not been hired by the
village to keep their girls safe. This is a surprisingly dark, cynical fantasy
tale co-produced by Paramount and Disney. More deaths than I would have expected.
It starts off that way as if to tell the
audience, this is not really for children. A beautiful girl is brought to
the opening of the cave where the dragon resides and hooked up to wait for
his arrival. The girl frantically tries to escape. She was clearly no volunteer
as she rips her bloody hands through the cuffs and begins to run. She doesn't
get far. Shocking really. Put the popcorn down. This is a fine adventure
tale of heroism and sacrifice. It is directed by Matthew Robbins who was
better known for his screenplays - contributing to Mimic, Sugarland Express,
Batteries Not Included and Corvette Summer - the last two which he also directed.
Most important for a dragon film is the dragon - and they hired Industrial
Light and Magic to bring it to life. Best known for their special effects
for Star Wars, they create a terrifying flame throwing flying dragon that
has nothing cuddly about it.
A group of villagers tired of having their
daughters put into a lottery take a long journey to see the last of the sorcerers
- the elderly Ulrich played by the legendary British actor Ralph Richardson
- to hopefully persuade him to come with them and kill the dragon. Have you
asked the other wizards? The sisters? All dead. Oh well, he tells his apprentice
to stay behind and mind the store. And then pulls an Obi Wan Kenobi and it
is up to the slightly built Galen to take his place. It was Peter MacNicol's
debut and he is an interesting choice - not heroic in looks in the least
bit and he found a career in playing somewhat nebbish characters. The villagers
are led by the young man Valerian (Caitlin Clarke - which you might note
is a female name). And off they go to slay a dragon. Good luck. Interesting
in how at the end, Christians claim credit for prayer and the King shows
up for his photo op. Nothing much has changed.
