Rating: 
Summary: One of the few great fantasy flicks from the 80s.
Review: Regarding my summary above, sad but true. There really isn't another fantasy movie that's worth comparing to Dragonslayer. Not even Dragonheart whose dragon was completely rendered with computer graphics.The acting and dialogue were excellent. John Hallam's character (Tyrian) seemed to be enjoying himself as the rightious but devious assassin who proceeds to kill anyone who interferes with his kingdom's sacrifices. Then we have the dragon. An old and spiteful dragon who shows no remorse or pity. The dragon is fantastic to look during it's first fight with young Galen. Did I mention the scenery? I could have sworn this movie was actually filmed in sixth century Britain. It was beautiful! Green pastures, giant trees erupting from the ground, huge mountains that ascend into the clouds. This movie is a real treat. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Dragon on Film
Review: I love fantasy movies, but lets face it, most of them stink. This is one of the few that hit the mark. A good old fantasy epic with the right ammount or realism. A good Wizard, a good cocky aprentice, a craven king, and the best Dragon ever filmed. Get it already!
Rating: 
Summary: The best dragon I've ever seen on film...
Review: is indeed the highlight of the movie. The story itself is not remarkable-who cares? Some of the best movies ever made were uncomplicated and formulaic...and this is indeed a good one. Peter Macnichol (sp?)does a great job and I think he is an excellent choice for the lead, a boy aching and over-eager for the promise of his master's power. In spite of this, he remains truly heroic and the most admirable of characters in a movie peopled with a scheming murdering captain of the guard and cowardly hypocritic king. There is, however, a surprise at the end (well-hidden; I didn't see it coming), and the final battle make this scene grand and finite at the same time. Unless you're afraid of your children seeing any blood, this movie will be alright for them, though the dragon is indeed scary and capable of inducing nightmares on the little ones.
Rating:
Summary: The world's best dragon movie
Review: Do you love dragons, myths and wizards? So go see this movie already. It deserves five stars just because it's firing on all cylinders all the time, even if one skips a beat now and then. You know it's well-written when there's some actual untranslated Latin in the script and a dragon named Vermifax Perjorative. The plot is sufficiently compelling, the actors are wonderfully cast, the visuals are delightfully moody, and the dragon is just plain beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth a watch, on the right day
Review: When I first saw this movie as a young teen-ager, I hated it. What I thought was slow and plodding filler between scenes with the dragon turned out to be (as I see as an adult) very interesting episodes putting these naieve characters into the position of people going after the last--and more bitter than ever--dragon on earth. The dragon is by far the most visually stunning one ever rendered on film (much better and more terrible than the one with Sean Connery's voice). On the whole, I watch it when I am sick at home and don't want to move from the couch. It's a great romp, full of interesting visuals, humor, and even a small dose of social commentary.
Rating:
Summary: Slayer
Review: Yes, of course it is showing its age. It was made in 1981. This does not change the fact that this movie totally owns. This rocked back in the day and it continues to rock if for nothing but the pure nostalgia factor (showing this movie to my older brother will be sure to conjure memories). 1981 seemed to be a big year for movies about Knights, swords and sorcery. This was one of the best and remained the best for a long time to come. Only today, with slick computer graphics do we see the failures of the special effects here and there. However, they tried their best, really they did. It remains an impressive tale about magic, progress, advancement, and heroism. One of the more memorable lines from this movie was something like : "Well, I'm glad that magic is fading from this world, the dragons are fading along with it." Hmmm.
Rating:
Summary: A monster movie where the monster is well worth the big wait
Review: Ultimately, "Dragonslayer" succeeds where the vast majority of monster movies fail, which is the point at which you get to see the creature and it is a big disappointment. Very few movies had really great monsters when I was growing up and you get to the point where you just expect them to be bad. Even when the make up is pretty good, say Boris Karloff in the original version of "The Mummy" or Oliver Reed in "The Curse of the Werewolf," you get shorted on how often the monster actually gets to be on screen. "Dragonslayer" ups the ante because there is a big build up to the point when you finally get to see the dragon. But for my money it is well worth the wait because the folks at Industrial Light & Magic delivery even though we are talking 1981 special effects.
The story in "Dragonslayer" combines a couple of recognizable plot lines from the fantasy genre. First there is the hapless young apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol), trying to learn his craft from a great wizard, Ulrich (Ralph Richardson). I am certainly reminded of Mickey Mouse from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" in "Fantasia," except that Galen is a lot more earnest. Second, there is the fact that Casiodorus Rex (Peter Eyre), the ruler of the land, has been sacrificing virgins to keep the local dragon from leveling the countryside. Young Valerian (Caitlin Clarke) arrives to beseech Ulrich, the last wizard around, to kill the dragon, which is probably the last of its kind as well.
The only problem is that Ulrich has died, which means that young Galen has to become a dragonslayer. Galen wants to do the great deed for the right reasons, but there is also the Princess Elspeth (Chloe Salaman) to consider, along with all the other young virgins forced to participate in the grim lottery. Casiodorus is not thrilled by the prospect of the fate of his kingdom resting on the shoulders of Galen, so he tries to thwart the young man's plans. However, there is somebody who thinks that the rules of the game in Urland have to be changed.
Beyond the Oscar nominated special effects (and musical score by Alex North) what makes "Dragonslayer" work is that it takes place in a grungy medieval world where everybody is dirty and outright despair seems like an appropriate response to each sunrise. In such a world sacrificing a virgin once a year seems rather reasonable, and an act of heroism seems improbable, especially when your hopes rest on the baby-faced Galen. The atmosphere and the special effects fit together just perfectly, and Ralph Richardson's performance as the sorcerer gives the film its memorable performance.
The casting of MacNichol is seen as problematic by some, especially those familiar with his stellar comedy work on "Chicago Hope" and "Ally McBeal," but I think he works well in this particular context. The idea here is that the hero is not somebody who wants to be a great fighter with a sword but a sorcerer using potions and magicks. MacNichol looks like somebody who would be more comfortable with a staff than a sword, so that when he actually has to pick up a spear and shield to fight the dragon he looks really uncomfortable. Then he sees the dragon and he looks scared. We see the dragon, so we completely understand.
Although a lot of the elements are familiar to everyone weaned on Tolkien and excited by the original "Star Wars" films, there are some attempts to be different. I especially liked the fate of the Princess and the ending has a sense of fatalism we rarely get in a fantasy film, with or without a monster. Unfortunately, the DVD version of "Dragonslayer" has absolutely nothing in terms of bonus features (not even the trailer), but at least the film is presented in anamorphic widescreen so you can enjoy all of the Scottish landscape. More importantly, there is the CGI dragon that mandates this one getting five stars because that dragon is that good. When a movie delivers the goods with the monster the way "Dragonslayer" does, attention must be paid.
Rating: 
Summary: This score had me grinding my teeth
Review: A most under appreciated fantasy film from the early `80's. It pretty much bombed when it was released but it really deserves a look. What impressed me the most was the sense of realism displayed in a movie about wizards and dragons. The magic was ambiguous, understated, unclear to the characters whether they were really witnessing the actions of a sorcerer or just some clever magician. Some artful cinematography, solid dragon FX and a decent script round out the positive attributes of the this film. The negatives would include the casting of the lead character, Galen, who gives an awkward and unconvincing performance. The biggest negative was the god-awful score, akin to fingernails being dragged across a chalkboard at times. A good score should intensify the emotional experience of the film it supports. This score had me grinding my teeth, essentially dropping a minor gem of a movie into the merely 'pretty good' category. A 4 star movie if there was only some way to exorcize that dreadful score.
Rating:
Summary: Dignified precursor to Dragonheart...
Review: Considering that one of the roles has been given to none other than Sir Ralph Richardson, should speak volumes about this tiny fantasy movie.
Despite the product of the early eighties, in which movies like "Conan the Barbarian" and other similar products very highly popular, this film has the merit to have a dignified treatment, with an original story and a solid cast of newcomers.
I will not spoil you the surprise of the story, but suffice it to say, that no, the Dragon does NOT speak, nor does he (or is it a she?) consider the meaning of life. He rather spits fire and kills people with ease, and therefore must be destroyed.
This is what this movie is all about. But more than that, it is also about the vanity, greed, prejudice and superstition that rules mankind and hence gives more importance to an otherwise harmless creature...
it is a multi-faceted movie. So much so, that nothing is truly what it seems to be and everything is revealed toward the grand finale, which inevitably comes.
The transfer by Paramount has been undertaken with accuracy and grace. Excellent image resolution, fantastic widescreen rendition of the landscapes, and a wonderful surround soundtrack make it the definitive version to own.
If you like Myths, Dragons and Dungeons, this movie is exceptionally for you.
Rating: 
Summary: widescreen
Review: Great film. Lousy DVD. The original film has been cut att top and bottom to make it look more like cinema widescreen. Many details that the director meant to be seen are now gone.
The original idea with widescreen in cinema was to show more picture at the sides. But here you just get less picture at top and bottom, not more at the sides. The producers try to make money by tricking the buyers with this foul and superficial sales-trick.
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