The Beastmaster (1982)

Overrated and overhyped

A Brilliant Conflict

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Totally unoriginal concepts but if you're in the mood to turn the brain off and watch a little action, it's not bad...especially with a couple beers. Took the Beastmaster novels of Andre (Alice Mary) Norton and substituted the hero of those into a matrix of Conan/Red Sonya movies. Entertaining for its level. Look for nothing superior but whats to say that medium ca't satisfy.

This schlocky slice of sword and sorcery entertainment comes from the man who brought us PHANTASM - and it's full of the same cheap cheeriness as in that film. As far as fantasy films go, it's not half bad, with plenty of action and exploitation to keep things moving along steadily. While lacking the visceral excess of CONAN THE BARBARIAN, it has all the key ingredients for these '80s adventure larks, including a black sidekick, monsters, a muscle-bound hero in a loincloth, some cheesy special effects and a baddie wizard who lives at the top of a giant stone staircase. Okay, so this film is a rip-off, but it's a good one at that.It also has a refreshing twist in the tale: our hero is telepathically able to control animals, and has a number of sidekicks. An eagle is handy for flying into his enemies' faces and spying, his (surprisingly tame) black tiger is useful for mauling baddies, and his two pet ferrets live in a satchel and steal stuff. The magical elements are primitive yet memorable, and include a ring with an eyeball in it - what more could you want? There's a race of SWAMP THING-like creatures who act as giant Venus Flytraps and dissolve their prey; some incredibly cheesy brute men with glowing green eyes who run around and kill things; a few hideous witches here and there for good measure, and of course lots of cruel warriors with evil-looking helmets whom our hero battles.The acting? Pretty much as you'd expect. Sub-par compared to mainstream films, i.e. just about non-existent, yet typical for your average barbarian flick. Marc Singer (you might recognise him as one of the leads in V) is suitably lean and muscular as the warrior, although his acting skills leave something to be desired, bless him. Tanya Roberts displays little acting talent, instead plenty of flesh; while Rip Torn goes over the top to make an enjoyably hammy villain. John Amos, who you might recognise from DIE HARD 2, fits the stereotyped role of a black sidekick just fine. Strangely enough, the cute animal stars manage to act their human counterparts off the screen every time...With plenty of action, ranging from sword fights to punch ups, an impressive array of sets and scenery, and some natty costumes, you could do a lot worse than THE BEASTMASTER. Two sequels predictably followed in the '90s, both of which have received a lot of flack - but they sound right up my street.

I have a massive soft spot for this movie. Unlike a lot of people, I actually saw the original UK Theatrical release in glorious 35mm, and seeing movies like this on the big screen during a period that gave birth to my love of cinema, it remains one of my favorite from my childhood.In a time when film studios were going mad for Star Wars rip offs, The Beastmaster was a welcome and overlooked gem amongst a pile of old stones. A very young Marc Singer (who would go on to international fame in the series "V" and Dynasty) stars in the title role and, I feel, carries if off successfully. The Addition of Rip Torn as mega bad guy, Mayax, brings gravitas to the antagonist in this.The movie is darker in tone than most others of the era, and the fact that Don Coscarelli (of Phantasm fame) was involved in this is no surprise. Here, his work is far more polished and well produced than the classic of 70s horror, and technically, the movie is a smörgåsbord of up to date film-making (for the period). 35mm film, some nifty special effects and more dead things than you can shake a stick at.The only other movie of this era like this was Conan the Barbarian, which already had a bigger budget and star attraction of the rising legend that is Arnold Swartzenegger, but in direct comparison, Beastmaster still manages to entertain far more than Conan could manage, mostly down to the fact that its editing is competent and never dwells on one situation for too long. Add to that the brilliant soundtrack and you have a movie that does everything it sets out to do in a neat 2 hour package. it may seem like B movie fodder to todays audiences, but its still worth a watch in my estimation, mainly due to the fact that it still stands up as one of the best fantasy movies of the time. If I had to complain about anything, it would be the lack of information and background on the world that this film inhabits as well as the almost silent first 30 minutes that depends more on visual queues and ambiance than dialog. Some of the sword work in this in woefully inadequate to today's standards, but for the time, it was impressive, especially to a 12 year old me. Its upsetting to discover that the Tiger who player Ruuh died 2 years later following skin problems brought on by the black dye used in this movie. It still remains one of my favorite childhood memories and unlike the American audience that had constant re-runs on cable TV, we have had to rely on VHS and TV showings of this movie in the UK. Definitely worth watching and reliving memories of the 1980s

You know sometimes they make a movie on a budget that is so pitiful it shouldn't work, as in they haven't spent enough to make an impact. The beastmaster is the kind of movie that studios love because it cost about 4 million dollars to make and it works. I recently watched the directors cut with full commentary and didn't realise how involved this movie was to make. Very simple story, the lead character can communicate with animals and can see through their eyes, he uses this ability to avenge his fathers death against an evil priest and a hoard of barbarians. Throw in a beautiful girl, a few witches and a couple of allies and you have a real winner. The thing to remember here is that most mega budget movies cost at least 25 million US then and this well it didn't (director commentary mentions about 4 million US) This movie is still regarded as an absolute classic and I was raised on this film. HBO became known as Hey Beastmasters On it showed this so often. So if you like sword and sorcery and beautiful heroines and etc etc. You'll love this movie.Enjoy