Stream Surfing Review: Dragonslayer (1981)

Directed by Matthew Robbins.
Written by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins

Plot Summary:
To stop the women of their village being sacrificed to appease a terrifying dragon, a delegation of villagers travel to distant Cragganmore to request the aid of the famous sorcerer Ulrich.
However, When Ulrich perishes unexpectedly the task falls to his apprentice Galen.

Review:
Dragonslayer is described as a Dark Fantasy and, while the distinction between the different sub-genres of fantasy remains a bit muddy to me,
in this case it feels accurate.
Visually the movie has that slightly grungy 80’s feel to it, deep colors muted by the haze and grime of a strange and uncivilized world.
At the same time there is something somber yet playful about the story,
which consistently veers just slightly to the left of the classic High Fantasy Adventure that it’s title evokes.

The movie starts off with a bit of a slow roll.
While there are certainly moments of tension and spectacle,
the first 30 minutes lacks any of the big action sequences a modern audience might expect from this type of movie.
There are no huge battle sequences and the…