Episode 70 – Dragonslayer

Bill and Ted discuss Matthew Robbins’, J.R.R. Tolkien inspired, 1981 dark fantasy film “Dragonslayer” set in the gritty fictional sixth-century British Iles kingdom of Urland, terrorized by Vermithrax Pejorative, a 400-year-old dragon. Wishing to be rid of the dragon a delegation of common folk led by the young lad Valerian (Caitlin Clarke) seek the help of the wizard Ulrich (Sir. Ralph Richardson). The task falls instead to his young apprentice Galen Bradwarden (Peter MacNicol) who must face both the dragon as well as Casiodorus Rex (Peter Eyre) the local king who has instituted a dreadful lottery designed satiate and appease the dragon. Originally underappreciated upon its release the film has garnered a strong following in appreciation for its compelling themes and many technical achievements which raised the bar for future depictions of dragons in fantasy media impacting everything from Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug“” (2013) to TV productions like “Game of Thrones/House of Dragons.”  

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Jaws (1975), Reign of Fire (2002), Troll Hunter (2010)