The Sword and the Sorcerer

Plot

The film opens as King Cromwell (Richard Lynch) and his men land ashore of Tomb Island in search of Xusia of Delos (Richard Moll), a long-dead sorcerer who may be the key to overthrowing his rival King Richard, whose land of Ehdan is the richest in the world. Using one of Xusias worshipers to awaken him, Cromwell convinces Xusia to join his cause. With the sorcerers black magic at his command, Cromwell easily lays waste to Richards formidable army.

Eventually, Cromwell becomes eager to be rid of Xusia. Fearing that the sorcerer could very well turn against him, he attempts to kill Xusia by stabbing him in the chest and chasing him off a cliff. With only one army left to defend the city, King Richard prepares to lead the charge against Cromwell in a last-ditch effort to save Ehdan. He orders his family to evacuate to the river, and entrusts his youngest son Talon with his magnificent triple-bladed projectile sword, instructing the boy to avenge his death should it occur.

When Richard fails to return home afterwards, Talon goes to find him. While searching the corpse-littered battlefield, he comes across Mogullen (Russ Marin), his fathers closest adviser. Gravely wounded, the old soldier confirms that the battle is lost. At that moment, Talon spies his father in the distance, just seconds before his execution.

Enraged, Talon starts off to claim his revenge, but Mogullen holds him fast. Knowing that Cromwell will be heading to the river in search of the queen, he implores the boy to save the rest of his family. Talon desperately races to the river on horseback, but once again, he is too late. Horrified, he watches as his mother is put to death at Cromwells hands. With Cromwells men now in pursuit of him, Talon has no choice but to flee. After narrowly surviving an ambush, the boy manages to evade capture and disappear from the kingdom.

Eleven years later, Prince Talon (Lee Horsley), now a seasoned warrior, leads a small group of mercenaries back into his homeland, seeking to fulfill the promise he made long ago. Meanwhile in his subterranean lair, the sinister Xusia—still very much alive—vows to repay Cromwell for his treachery.

In the city of Ehdan, a rebellion has begun under Prince Mikah (Simon MacCorkindale), son of King Richards closest advisor, who many believe to be the rightful heir to the throne. After confirming the final plans with Machelli (George Maharis), Cromwells war chancellor (who is secretly a double agent), Mikah relays the news to his sister Alana (Kathleen Beller), but Cromwell suddenly bursts into their hideout and a battle ensues. Although Mikah is captured, Alana flees through the city streets, but eventually finds herself cornered by Cromwells men. She is then rescued by Talon, who easily dispatches her assailants.

At a nearby tavern, Alana learns of her brothers imprisonment and asks Talon to rescue him, along with a faction of rebels who have been recently trapped by Cromwells forces. Unable to bribe the mercenary with gold, Alana reluctantly offers herself to him for one night. Satisfied, Talon departs on his mission, but Cromwells men arrive shortly thereafter and capture Alana as well.

Successful in freeing the rebels, Talon infiltrates the castle through the sewers and is able to rescue Mikah, but is subsequently detected and captured by Cromwell. After forcing Alana into marriage, Cromwell invites the four neighboring kings to their wedding feast, where he intends to assassinate them with Talon crucified in the dining hall. Before the plot can be carried out, however, Talon amazingly summons the strength to pull himself free of the crucifix, just seconds before the rebels, led by Mikah, storm into the dining hall and overpower Cromwells soldiers.

Cromwell attempts to flee the castle with Alana in tow, but Talon intercepts them. In the resulting skirmish, Machelli takes custody of Alana and brings her to the catacombs beneath the castle, where he reveals his true identity as Xusia. Although Cromwell tries to intercede, he proves to be no match for the sorcerer, but Talon is somehow able to resist Xusias power long enough to strike him down with his projectile sword. He then engages Cromwell in combat, finally vanquishing the evil king. Afterwards, Talon saves Alana from a giant constrictor snake, but Xusia suddenly rises again, prompting Talon to finish off the sorcerer with a blade concealed in his gauntlet.

In the end, Talon yields the crown of Ehdan to Mikah, and Alana honors her commitment to spend one night with her brothers savior. Talon and the mercenaries then prepare to leave Ehdan for another adventure. As the film closes, a large oared boat with no oarsmen is shown moving out from shore Xusia, still alive, is shown on board directing its course.

Cast

Release

Variety gave the movie a negative review, citing its lackluster script, non-too-talented performers, and fastpaced, "atrocity-a-minute" action scenes. Similarly, The New York Times described it as "nonsensical" and "inept" and Roger Ebert gave it half a star, describing it as "an Identikit movie" and one "that doesnt care much about character". Despite the negative criticism, the film has gone on to be a cult classic and is regarded as one of Albert Pyuns best films.

The Sword and the Sorcerer was released theatrically in the United States by Group 1 International Distribution Organization Ltd in April 1982. The film went on to gross $39,103,425 at the box office, making it the most profitable independent film of 1982.

The film even spawned a short-lived production line of plastic swords in resemblance to Talons.

Reception

The Sword and the Sorcerer received generally positive reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it an 80% rating.

Sequel

The Sword and the Sorcerer was originally conceived as the first in a series of several films.

Movie news website Aint It Cool News reported on 5 August 2007 that the sequel, to be entitled Tales of an Ancient Empire (as trailed at the end of The Sword and the Sorcerer) was in preproduction, citing Pyun as the source of this information. In 2008 Lee Horsley, Christopher Lambert, Kevin Sorbo, Yancy Butler, and Victoria Maurette were named among the cast of the new film, described as a "sequel in spirit". On January 24, 2012, Tales of an Ancient Empire was officially released on DVD. Lambert and Butler, however, did not appear in the film.