Dragonslayer (PG, 1981)

common sense media says

Pretty graphic fantasy violence in this medieval adventure.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some graphic violence and a genuinely scary dragon. Baby dragons gnaw on the Princess' disembodied limbs. There's brief nudity and a virgin sacrifice theme.

Violence: Some graphic violence, and the dragon is genuinely scary. The baby dragons gnaw on the Princess' disembodied limbs.
Sex: Very brief flash of nudity as Galen discovers Valerian is a girl, virgin sacrifice theme.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Dragonslayer

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how to decide whether to fight, compromise, or run. How have you seen those questions presented? What adjustments might be difficult for Valerian after the way she grew up? What was the point of having both the king and the priest claim credit for defeating the dragon? What do you think about the princess' decision? Why did she say that putting her name on all of the tiles "certified" the lottery?

What's the story?

What's the story?

DRAGONSLAYER follows the quest of sorcerer's apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNichol), who sets out to kill a dragon and stop a cycle in which virginal girls are sacrificed in order to keep the beast from destroying an entire kingdom. Galen makes a valiant attempt at killing the dragon, but when the beast returns, Princess Elspeth discovers that her father, the King, has kept his daughter's name off of the list of girls to be sacrificed. As another sacrifice day draws near, Elspeth puts her name on the list and Galen decides to battle the dragon again, unaware the creature is guarding a nest filled with eggs that are on the verge of hatching.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This medieval fantasy-adventure is filled with moral dilemmas, giving kids a lot to think about. For example, the king negotiated a terrible deal with the dragon, but it was better for his people than the uncertainty they had before. This poses the question, when the community is at risk, how do you decide what to do? And, Galen doesn't know what he doesn't know. He thinks because he knows a few tricks, he has enough magic to defeat the dragon. He's wrong, of course, and the princess dies because of his mistake. But when the time comes, and he has to know the right moment to destroy the amulet, he is able to trust himself, and he gets it right.Dragonslayer also reveals a world in which religion eventually replaces magic.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Matthew Robbins
Cast: Caitlin Clarke, Peter MacNicol, Ralph Richardson
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: June 26, 1981
DVD release: October 21, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Dr3w
adult
 
Disney Made This?
I think I should mention that the above-mentioned nudity is very brief. You see the guy's bare bottom VERY clearly as he jumps into the lake, and then a murky underwater shot of the woman where nothing is too clearly defined, yet her breasts and bottom are semi-visible. I actually turned the movie off at that point, but I thought I should mention that the nudity is not as explicit or prolonged as I would have expected from reading the reviews here. Still, not appropriate for our family, so I don't think I'll be recommending this film. Also, the intensity level of this film is fairly high with some gory scenes included. Despite the Disney label, this is not a movie for the family.

jace
adult
 
beware, nudity and intense disturbing violence
nudity, in a PG movie!!!??

Ashnak
adult
 
Good Sword-and-Sorcery Fantasy Adventure

The Common Man
parent of 14 year old
 
Fun dragon/fantasy movie.
Somebody entered their puritanic review twice. Yes, brief nudity, but not R-Rated by a long shot. Entered this to balance the rating.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age