Wolff rating: NOT BAD
Plot summary: Epic fantasy---big evil thing has kidnapped a beautiful princess and the king-to-be rushes to her rescue.
Biased, pithy comments: Ahh, 1983. ``Star Wars'' was still fresh, ``Raiders'' was floating around the national consciousness, and goofy sword-and-sorcery was making the big screen regularly, with hits like ``Conan the Barbarian,'' underrated misses like ``Labyrinth,'' and real dogs like ``Deathstalker.'' It was a great time to be a kid into sci-fi and fantasy. And lo, when Krull came out (with a related stand-up arcade game), I loved it. Sure, the critics panned it (one Des Moines critic complained that spaceborne bad guys wouldn't ride horses---she just didn't get it, I thought when I read this), but I ate it up. Now, 15 years later as I watch it, it doesn't quite have the same thrill. Still, with engaging performances by Marhshall, Bresslaw, and Neeson(!), this film retains some of its old charm, helped along by Horner's ``Wrath of Khan''-influenced score and interesting special effects. So, if you're looking for fantasy diversion, this is a good place to go after you've hit the better films of the genre, but it lacks that powerful presences of mythic heroes and fascinating villians that make for a classic (i.e. Schwarzenegger and Jones in ``Conan'') Watch for nifty glaive effects and some very stormtrooper-esque baddies.
Other Notes: Virginal princess goes on to be a Playboy poser, Horner goes on to be incredibly successful, and apparently the handsome Ken Marshall's looks fade quite rapidly.
How many times I have seen it: x2 or 3
Starring: Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis, Alun Armstrong, David Battley, Bernard Bresslaw, Liam Neeson.
Directed by: Peter Yates