Conan the Barbarian (1982) Review

Through the history of mankind, the times that are most recorded in mythology and song are those of great deeds and fantastic adventures. Such a time was the Hyborean Age. Such a tale is the story of “Conan the Barbarian.”

Cimmerian Conan is captured as a child after his parents’ savage murder by raiding Vanir led by Thulsa Doom, head also of the malignant snake-cult of Set. Fifteen years’ agony, first chained to the Wheel of Pain grinding grain and then enslaved as a Pit Fighter, forge a magnificent body and indomitable spirit. Freed miraculously one day by his owner, Conan, with his companions Subotai the Mongol and Valeria, Queen of Thieves, sets forth upon his quest to learn “the riddle of steel” which, his father has prophesied, will confer ultimate power, and to kill the arch-villain Thulsa Doom.

Runtime: 129 minutes
Director: John Milius
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman
MPAA Rating: R
Final Score: 7/10

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The Crown and the Dragon (2013) Review

Runtime: 91 minutes
Director: Anne Black
Starring: Amy de Bhrun, David Hayon, Tim Treloar
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Final Score: 5.5/10

Summary
In a war-torn country that is plagued by a vicious dragon, Elenn, a noblewoman, accompanies her aunt on a mission to bring an ancient relic to the secret coronation of the rightful king. When her aunt is murdered on the road, Elenn must take her aunt’s place at the coronation and hires a smuggler to escort her across the volatile country. Elenn must find within herself the strength to fulfill her aunt’s calling to free the people, and become the Paladin – the long foretold dragon slayer.
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Westender (2003) Review

Runtime: 103 minutes
Director: Brock Morse
Starring: Blake Stadel, Rob Simonsen, John Rankin
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Final Score: 6.5/10

Summary
Set in a fictitious medieval world, this odyssey of one man’s personal redemption is an entertaining and thought-provoking tale rife with swordplay, humor, intrigue and fantasy. Veteran stage actor Blake Stadel stars in the title role of Asbrey of Westender, a once legendary knight who has mysteriously fallen from grace.
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Hearts and Armour (1983) Review

Runtime: 101 minutes
Director: Giacomo Battiato
Starring: Rick Edwards, Ronn Moss, Barbara De Rossi
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Final Score: 6/10

Summary
The Mongol. The Human Weapon. The Black Warrior. All are part of an era when codes of honor became codes of conflict. All are ready to fight to the death in a time of Hearts and Armour.

Tanya Roberts heads a talented international cast in this sword-clanging adventure. She plays a Moorish princess desired by a Christian warrior and swept up in a turbulent showdown of magic, armour and valiant knights.

In the spellbinding tradition of Excalibur which centered on Arthurian legends of the north, Hearts and Armour brings to the screen the medieval myths of sun-drenched southern Europe. In a titanic clash of cultures, Christians and Moors cross swords in brutal combat, playing out entangled destinies – and creating legends that would endure through the ages.
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Knights of the Damned (2018) Review

Runtime: 85 minutes
Director: Simon Wells
Starring: Ben Loyd-Holmes, Ross O’Hennessy, Zara Pythian
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Final Score: 3.5/10

Summary
After a deadly dragon relentlessly attacks his kingdom, a King sends four of his best knights on a quest to defeat the beast that has been terrorizing his subjects and besieging his castle. Along the way the knights will encounter beautiful, but malicious creatures all determined to halt them in their tracks.

As they journey across the kingdom on their seemingly impossible journey, the knights’ courage, comradeship and bravery will be stretched to the limits. Do they have what it takes to uncover the mysterious truth behind their quest and slay the dragon that is trying to destroy their kingdom.
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