Dragonslayer

Buena Vista Distribution Company | Release Date: June 26, 1981

CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION

68	METASCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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Critic Reviews

Critic score Publication By date

Pauline Kael

It's like reading a fairy tale that has the mixture of happiness and trauma to set your imagination whirling; the fire-breathing dragon--scaly, winged, huge--is more mysterious, probably, than any we could have imagined for ourselves.

EmpireIan Nathan

An unknown treasure of a fantasy film and well worth a look for fans of the genre. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

In many ways, Dragonslayer is a realistic fairy tale. All of the classic pieces are here: heroes, bad guys, monsters, virgins in peril, mysticism and staggering odds. Read full review

Dave Kehr

The film excels as a visual exercise, as a study in adolescent psychology, and even as astute political analysis (it's the dragon who holds the fiefdom together). Read full review

Roger Ebert

The scenes involving the dragon are first-rate. The beast is one of the meanest, ugliest, most reprehensible creatures I've ever seen in a film, and when it breathes flames it looks like it's really breathing flames. Read full review

TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)

The giant computerized dragon alone is worth viewing. But Dragonslayer profits from spirited direction and camera work plus the expert Richardson at its nucleus. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Dragonslayer has pacing problems, and its special effects tend to be more overpowering than helpful. But it also has a sweetness and conviction that amount to a kind of magic. Read full review

Richard Schickel

This movie has two big things going for it—the dragon and the man who masterminds its slaying. Read full review

Jay Scott

Director Robbins is a natural - he has managed to make a movie that is entertaining despite the handicap of having a main character who is at best a black hole. [30 June 1981]

Staff (Not Credited)

Verges on the nasty for the nippers; sails close to déjà vu for fantasy fans; fated, probably, to damnation by faint praise. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

A well intentioned fantasy with some wonderful special effects, Dragonslayer falls somewhat short on continuously intriguing adventure. Read full review

Gary Arnold

As a movie concept, Dragonslayer seems to have so much going for it that it could scarcely miss. Yet it does miss in crucial respects. [27 June 1981, p.C1]

David Ansen

A dark slice of sword and sorcery that could have used some of Walt's old storytelling sense. [13 July 1981, p.81]