Review of Krull (1983) by Rick P — 17 Apr 2009

Science-fiction vs Medieval Fantasy. Original action/adventure back in 1983, plays homage to the likes of Star Wars, Sword & Sorcerer etc.

Great movie and love it now as I did when I was a kid. Classic cliche of a swashbuckling group of Dungeons & Dragons type adventurers, on a heroic quest to destroy alien invaders and a young Prince sets out to rescue the beautiful Lyssa (Lysette Anthony-19 at the time) from the evil clutches of deluded out of proportion Beast. To top off, a superb soundtrack from the masterful James Horner - (Aliens, Titanic, Troy).

What's not to enjoy?

Being a fan of sci-fi and fantasy, this would be a perfect choice for anyone in the family - but lets look at the film itself.

The story is set on a faraway world with twin-suns (not Tatooine then), when this massive hulk of a starship/fortress (Transformer?), lands on the planet - thus- starting an invasion. Fierce aliens imaginatively called 'Slayers' with their lethal neon spears (blaster & sword in one - the Army should takes notes!) hell bent on destroying everything and everybody in their path.

Only one thing remains which stands in their way of a global victory is the resistance of two ancient armies, the Crimson Knights & Grey Knights I label them as. These warriors it is told are quite opposed to the other so the last thing they need is a legion of aliens interfering so the only answer to fight them is to form an uneasy Alliance forged by the two Kings of Krull. This union would be solidfied by the marriage of Colwyn (Ken Marshall) & Princess Lyssa (Cute Lysette) - whom love each other and seems to having a forbidden relationship anyway.

Cue the aliiance/marriage at Lyssa's very vulnerably placed Palace and the Slayers attack. Lyssa is abducted for the Beast, all the elite guards are wiped out, King's killed and a Kingdom in tatters. Colwyn survives and is mentored back into action by an old hermit (Obi-Wan, no Ynnr). We then move to many sweeping panoramic shots of Krull, the finding of a magical weapon called the Glaive and Colwyn recruits some vagabonds, rogues, thieves and criminals led by the brilliant (Alun Armstrong). His comrades consist of some of British finest in their early days, (Liam Neeson, Robbie Coltrane, Todd Carty) and they team up, batltling constant attacks from Slayers with ease. (So much for the Royal Guard who supposed to be trained soldiers!).

When all clues to the secretly hidden Black Fortress are either lost or killed, Ynnr tracks down his lost love (Francesca Annis) who portrays the evil Widow Of The Web, it's abit unclear how she came to be there and Ynnr's back story - apart from it being quite tragic. However she is overwhelmed again and helps him out at the cost of their lives. It is a magical world!

Finally, Colwyn & hs intrepid group use fire mares (Flying horses, Pegasus retired after Clash Of The Titans), and infiltrate Black Fortress fighting off more Slayers and taking casualties on the way. Until the main event where Colwyn duels with the Beast killing him with his natural power. (A flamethrower hand - Cool!) Reunited with Lyssa, the couple along with Alun Armstrong, Todd Carty, some annoying magician called Ergo and a little scamp escape the collapsing fortress before it is vaccumed in space.

Finishing shot, a beautiful meadow and a knackered team. A dubbed Lysette still in her wedding dress is saved and the narrator predicts that they're gonna have sons that will rule the galaxy. They run off into the pastures and the end of the fairytale. Jokes aside though, entertaining film, silly in places but always has the feel good factor of escapsim.