Fantasy films from the 1980s

Recently, I've been watching fantasy films from the 1980s. Would like to hear recommendations on your favorite fantasy or sword-and-sorcery type films from that era.

In the past months, I've seen Legend, The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal on Blu-ray. Conan the Barbarian came out on Blu-ray recently, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.

I would not consider myself a big fantasy genre fan, but it's a nice change of pace from all the CGI heavy movies today.

 

Krull and Labyrinth (w/David Bowie) come to my mind instantly in addition to the others you mentioned. Dark Crystal was a favorite of mine. You can add Willow too, but I never cared much for it.

 

Xanadu, I like this little fanatsy motion picture.

 

I loved Willow. Joanne Whaley made one hot "Sortia".

Some others to consider:

The Beastmaster
Return To Oz (1985)
Red Sonja - not very good, but its an option.

 

Don't forget Excalibur! This is one I'd like to own but since there isn't a quality release on DVD I guess I'll have to wait until I get a Blu-ray player.

 

DRAGONSLAYER!!!!

 

Have not seen it in ages, but Clash of the Titans from 1981 was a very good fantasy–adventure film. My first thought was, Harry Hamlin should play Jim Morrison in a Doors biopic.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq-ksK7iFUk

 

Highlander

 

Well, avoid "Krull," it's really wooden. Interesting just to see it, I guess, to see the look of it, but it's real rickety wooden thing. Plus I think the Netflix master squashes the original aspect ratio.

"Dark Crystal" is aight. "Excalibur" is probably the best of the lot, of what I've seen. That and "Conan the B." should not be missed.

 

Flash Gordon!

 

I've never seen it, but I would imagine interest in Barbarian Queen peaked after Spector murdered Lana Clarkson.

 

My Favorite!!!

Good to see Helen Mirren, a young Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart before they became famous.

Another classic favorite!

Liked this one too! (but I like most everything with Rutger Hauer. Just wish he could get better roles nowadays.)


I would also suggest Time Bandits as a favorite fantasy from the '80s.

 

You know, House II was really more fantasy than horror, and it's quite funny. I'd recommend it.

 

Krull.

 

The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi.

 

How could I forget that one! That may be my favorite of this bunch.

 

Deathstalker! I don't care what the reviews say this is one fun movie.

 

Deathstalker 2 is the fun one. The first one is just bad, but in Deathstalker 2 they turned up the camp and had a real sense of humor.

 

Don't know if it is quite Fantasy, but "Big Trouble in Little China" is one of my all time favorite movies!

Kurt kicking butt and making jokes, you can't beat it.

 

Flesh and Blood - nice medieval film with Rutger Hauer as a leader of mercenaries.

Hawk the Slayer

For a really far out one, Yor - Hunter from the Future

 

I'm curious to know what older people think when they see Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, or Never Ending Story for the first time? I mostly hear about people who saw it when they were a child.

 

Recently watched Lucio Fulci's "Conquest", it's crappy but in a surreal/WTF kinda way, so it's somewhat interesting...

 

+1 for Excalibur, Dragonslayer, Flash Gordon & Clash of the Titans

I actually think Conan the Destroyer is quite entertaining.