Dragonslayer

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Dragonslayer Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Vintage fantasy epic is great, despite a too-graphic death.

PG 1981 108 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dragonslayer is a 1981 fantasy film and is one of the best swords and sorcery movies out there. The movie really builds up the tension, and viewers see bursts of smoke and fire, falling rocks, a shaking ground and other indications that something big is lurking for the first half of the film. When we finally see the dragon, it's quite terrifying and realistic as it looms over our hero, blasts him with fire, and flies menacingly over him in the sky. There's one moment of horrifying violence: A princess who nobly offered herself up as a sacrifice isn't saved by the hero as the viewer expects but is instead dispatched by the dragon's young, who hideously gnaw on her legs, exposing bone. All that said, Dragonslayer is still fresh and believable, by turns charming and scary, and a wonderful whole-family viewing choice for parents and older kids who enjoy medieval settings, magic, and dragons.

Community Reviews

skullcracken
skullcracken Adult
June 5, 2019
age 13+

Good action adventure movie for kids 12+ and a well-timed fast forward

This is a great movie but for Disney and a PG movie there is one scene that is pivotal but should be edited. This movie has a swimming scene that shows the lead character's bare butt, a possibly accidental underwater frontal nude male shot, and an underwater bare butt and side breast shot of a female.
Jessica B.
Jessica B. Adult
May 23, 2017
age 8+

Great movie for discussing gender roles, feudal systems and that you can't always win.

This movie is one that I have seen many times since I was a kid. Yes, there is brief nudity of the main character's backside and a side shot of a woman; while taking a bath. There are no sex scenes. There is discussion of gender, because it is relevant to the story and plot twist. More can be seen in an advertisement or other television shows, than in this movie, most of the time. If you watch media with your children and discuss what is happening with them, there shouldn't be any problems. My own children asked lots of questions about feudal society, why people had to follow the king's instructions or that of other people. We had a good discussion about how the princess stepped up to do the right thing, but then made unwise decisions when other options presented themselves. If you have children who are sensitive to gore the scenes at the end might be too much. For anyone who takes their kids to see Marvel action movies, Transformers and the like, then they will be just fine. The movie itself is not graphic in modern terms; it has more to do with your own child's sensibilities. Beautiful stop motion work, the color screening is noticeable yet still very good for 1981. If your child is interested in fantasy movies such as Willow, Labyrinth and the like this is one to add to your must see list.
See all 8 parent reviews

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?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how to decide whether to fight, compromise, or run. How have you seen those questions presented?

  • Do you think this movie seems dated, or does it stand the test of time? Is it a classic?

  • If the movie was remade, who would you cast in the various roles?

Movie Details

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