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This was the first film I ever watched, used to watch it over and over when I was 5 on Betamax. I still cant use a bow like crow. Peace out dudes, "The peace of the dead!"

Joe Gerrard, Lord of Cheshire.

In reply to knightsaber_priss_72@yahoo.com
Wow! With all the expletive laced reviews in here I'm beginning to feel like I'm in an AICN Talkback!....Yes they can be put to good use with the right storyline!

The LOTR triology has been made in the last 5 years whilst Hawk the Slayer was made 25 years ago...

This is an excellent movie! Very inspiring to me and very imaginative. This move holds a much higher place in my heart than any fantasy movie in theaters these days. I definitely agree that it is reminiscent of a good old D&D quest. For those of you who wished to see a second stab at the fantasy genre by this team, check out Prisoners of the Lost Universe. Same Director and much of the same cast, including Crow and the dwarf!

Dude, I thought that I made a cheap ass movie in my head,but from my early childhood I could remember a pretty cool movie because nobody and I  mean nobody has heard of that movie so I thought I dreamnt it for along time

I saw the film nearly twenty years ago whenit came on TV and had it on video for all that time. I still find it a little hammy at best. I did read the book, which is slightly better, and when bored with nothing to watch on TV, i stick Hawk the Slayer on for a few laughs

I find it highly fantastic that there are so many other believers out there of this masterpiece. The one constant highlight is the awesome soundtrack, totally unique and I have at last found it to buy. As for the comment.

"be a good fellow and clear up the mess you made"
(gorts answer)
"I'd sooner eat cow dung"

greatest wittiest comeback in cinema history

I think we're all agreed that this film is a cheap but cheerful pile of s**t really isn't it?The enjoyment comes from the fact that it is so much undemanding fun.You can chuckle at the pricelessly cheesy dialogue and scream with laughter at the shockingly cheap SFX-note the 'flying fire bolts'(neon ping pong balls)and the astounding amount of smoke machine smoke that floats around the woods.Also the dodgy plot and throw-away fantasy references e.g 'those dark years....' and all those towns that you hear about but never see e.g Danesford or Burnby etc. etc.
     I want everyone to submit their favourite piece of dialogue or moment from the film......NOW
         The contest gets better........

I remember seeing this film on Aussie TV not long after it came out, I think I even taped it (on Beta, that'll tell you how long ago it was) I've always liked a bit of sword and sorcery and back then I thought It was pretty cool,(that's probably why I taped it) I think I had a bit of a thing for the elf as well.

I try to return to this site every few months to update myself on what is arguably the best sci-fi film to date. The characters are colorful, and, with an outstanding music score--powerful. Those of you who delight in gratuitous profanity to make up for only having a brainstem to support you, I suggest that you tender your cinematic critiques for films such as Joe VS The Volcano--Hawk is way out of your league.( If I have offended you--that was my intention).

This movie is just great fun.
I also wacthed it for the first time as a kid in the mid eightes and I Loved it!
it is hokey but considering the quality of most fantasy films this is a real gem. Watch it for fun thats what its meant for!

Hawk the Slayer is all tremendous, hilarious fun. And as for the music, the music is really quit stunning and yet totally appropriate for this wonderful tat. I looked long and hard to find the music, and now I have it. I listen to it regularly - it really is that good. Honest, guv.

I must admit that although this movie is not particularly good, I really did love it.  I seen this movie as a kid and was really into the whole Dungeons and Dragons scene as well as Star Wars and sci-fi.  There is just something about this movie that I like.  I certainly don't pretend to argue that all the comments posted on it bad points aren't true.  I can't explain why, I just like it.  

This film is priceless.  I've tried everywhere to get it on DVD or VHS but to no avail.  The spaghetti western/pop soundtrack is so bizarre, and yet so appropriate at the same time.  Truly a brilliant classic.

"To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing myself?"
*Cheesy music hit*
"Crow"

I introduced this film to my friend [Andy] last night and he couldnt believe his eyes or ears he said "Its Blake 7 meets Middle earth and the sound track is a blend of Kelly Maries [feels like im in love] Jeff Waynes [War of the Worlds] and Ennio Morricone`s Spagetti westerns.While i think its "A fine brew judging by the smell".

Also remember folks, this was a TV movie, made by ITC, so is pretty impressive on those terms..

I was first introduced to this movie the year it came out at age 10. And seeing it again as an adult didn't change at all!  This is one of my personal hidden "classics" that I like to re-visit about once a year.  The music fits the movie to a "T", the characters are fun to watch and Jack Palance plays a villian that rivals Darth Vader!  What more could you ask for?

Oh my gawd ! I worship this film ! Perfect in its low-cal cheesiness and unabashed stupidity. The machine-bow elf (who talks more like a vulcan than any Tolkien creation)was my favorite character. Makes me wonder how much $$ they had to part with to get Jack Palance to strut around in armor and overact his way through this monstrosity. And I want my sequel darn it .... :)

I have only seen this movie once, on New Years day on the Millenium!! It is the funniest movie ever made, and we cracked up over Voltan, the so-called villian, who over-does every line in the movie, so it comes out sounding quite hysterical (watch how he delivers the line 'forcing me to take another man's child to CALL MY OWN!!')!! And the retro incidental music makes it even funnier! And who is that guy who goes around going 'Brethren' with a really stupid face and stupid voice! This is why we love it-everyone's STUPID in it!!! Great bit with the flying ping-pong balls, and I cracked up over that final fight!! Hours of laughter we had!!
Russ.

This movie is the greatest bunch of cheese ever.  It was on the CBC here in Canada years ago and one time I stayed up and taped it removing the commercials.  I watched it a few times and a friend and I counted how many bad guys Hawk and his merry bunch slaughtered.  I can't remember the exact figure but it was somewhere between 150-200 if my memory serves me - mostly by the machne gun action of Ranulf's crossbow and Crow's bow and quiver of endless arrows.  The guy in the post above has a point - the good guys were mass murderers.  This site has brought back so many great memories with the video and sound clips.  Hose-Ami, Hose-Ami....Brethren

I just had to post here. Ever since one of my then D&D buddies called me after school like 15 years ago or something like that and said "Dude - turn on the tv quick!" Can't remember the channel, but from the opening sequence of Voltan striding through the castle killing people, I was hooked. Took me years to re-discover this movie online, but now I have MP3's of most of the music, and I still have my 15-year old VHS recording of it (badly degraded). I hope that somehow, this gem among b-movies will make it to DvD someday! The music, the action, the dialogue, and the delivery all make the movie - what can I say; Hawk the Slayer rocks!

"Well little man, has the quake in your belly stopped your mouth?"
"I, am ready..." - (Crow)

Wow! With all the expletive laced reviews in here I'm beginning to feel like I'm in an AICN Talkback! Anyways....I think this movie is a lame excuse for a Tolkienesque movie. Hawk the Slayer = Poor man's, smoked too much wacky weed, I have no life to call my own Lord of the Rings knockoff. If anyone is still reading these posts I urge you now....GO SEE EVERY SINGLE LORD OF THE RINGS MOVIE IN THE TRILOGY! That is how a Sword and Sorcery fantasy flick should be done! And you want an elf with the skills to defeat large numbers of evil goons, Legolas beats Crow (Why do I keep thinking about MST3K? Oh yeah! That happens to be the name of one of the 'Bots!) hands down anyday. Plus Logolas' multishot arrow effects are much better! Thank god for high budget effects! Yes they can be put to good use with the right storyline!

All I can say is everytime I see the Elf shoot his bow with lightening speed, I still get a woodie. Man I want a Sword like Hawks!  

This movie filled my childhood DnD Geefest days with ample material for plagerization. For a 10 year old Boy, this film is a 10. For a 31 year old man, well its still a 10, cause evertime I watch it, Im 10 years old again!

I was hooked hardcore on this movie as a kid, along with my two brothers. I didn't have a VCR when I saw it on T.V., so I recored it on my audio cassette player, thats how much I loved this movie...now have a copy on VHS. I laugh at some of the stuff that I thought was so bad ass as a kid, namely any seen with Crow in it...but it brings me back at thats what I love about it. I noticed recently in the seen where Hawk is cutting the ropes from the witches wrists, he hits her in the head with his sword and winces, I almost died laughing...apparently that cut would just have to do. Its my all time favorite movie as a kid and as goofy as it is, still remains so today. It's cool to see all these other people who dug this movie as much as I did.

Today I woke up in the morning with a bizarre and totally unfounded desire to search for Hawk the Slayer on the net.  Its been so long, and frankly Im astounded that anyone else besides me so much as mildly enjoyed it.  All you guys have warmed me inside in voicing such similar opinions to my own.  God bless you all, and God bless that awful, cheap, but oh so fulfilling film!!!!

watched this movie in 1984 whilst playing a 24 hour snooker marathon for charity
everyone stopped playing and watched the film
s**te but utterly compelling

This movie rules so much, its the most classic comedy film ever. If you listen carefully to the part where Ranolf gets knocked from his horse, he mutters "f*ck" under his breath - I think the take went a bit wrong but they just left it in!
 Ranolfs reactions are kind of suspect though. I mean, In one scene he points his crossbow at Voltan and demands "let her go". Voltan somehow has time to pull out a knife and throw it at Ranolf before the Ranster can even pull his trigger.
 My friends and I are working on the sequel - a camcorder classic.
 I can't believe so many people know this cult classic.
I'm still laughing at the scene where Hawk hits the "women" on the head with his sword by accident"

"Her death will be yet one more victory for the powers of darkness..."
"Use your sword pig! Do not f*ck me..." - a little known use of profanity in the movee

Get this move on DVD now!

Simply put:  you cannot name 5 better sword&sorcery movies in the history of cinema. I just got this movie off of ebay after searching for over 20 years. It is one of the best films of all time....a remake would be perfect!!!!

Hawk the slayer is one of my favorite movies. I saw it for the first time in 1987 when I was 11 years, and recorded it few years later on TV. Many times I searshed about this movie on net, and never foud sites with great stuff. I hope that someday Hawk the Slayer be released on DVD. Congratulations for the webmaster for put this movie on your site, and is good to know that so many people likes this great movie.

Watched Lord of  the Rings last week- then popped in Hawk the Slayer for comparison.

Crow was a much cooler elf than the Rivendell deinizens!!  

I love this piece of chesse and the music!!  Saw John Terry (Hawk) in a Dolly Parton TV movie last year.

I just watched this film tonight with my friends after it was referred to in one of our faveourite comedies (Spaced) as a big pile of crap. It's a line that's stuck with us and when we saw it on DVD that was it we had to get it just for that reason.We watched it and yes it is a big pile of crap (bearing in mind we grew up in the eighties) however it was highly entertaining! I loved the death with the hunchback having to hold the rope in his mouth and the way they couldn't give the witch one eye so they drew one on a bandana instead lol. And why was it the giant wasn't very...Giant. And the way everone else sounded like they were from Kent and Hawk and Voltan sounded American! I have to say this is a classic! Glad I bought it!

This is one of my favorite fantasy films. Sure it may be cheesy but it has Crow! I take "Hawk The Slayer" over "Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie" any day 8)

Woohoo!!! It's finally out on DVD. Get some lizard's eyeballs and freshly whipped fish to munch on while you watch it.

I can't believe this is out on DVD. I have been searching for this movie for the last 5 years on any format. As a kid, Hawk the Slayer baptized me into fantasy fiction.

"Lizard's eyeballs!"  Yeah, I watched this movie over and over on Beta.  Cheezy as it may be I always thought it would make a good TV show in a Hercules/Xena sorta way.  After more than 20 years I'll finally be able to watch it clearly on DVD.. and in widescreen.  I can't wait.  Sure there is Lord of the Rings to satify the DnD audience now, but back then we just had Beastmaster and Krull, Conan and Excalibur, and for those fortunate to find a copy or see on cable: Hawk The Slayer.  Hey, did anyone notice the actor who plays Ranulf "One-Handed-Man", is the narrator for the Medal of Honor games?  You don't see him, but his raspy voice is unmistakable.

Today is November 4, 2002 and I just received and watched my copy of Hawk the Slayer on DVD!!  I still can't believe it happened! It is actually due for release tomorrow but I pre-ordered it.  If you own the VHS version I highly recommend getting the DVD anyway (I just bought the VHS version on e-Bay a few months ago -- about par for my luck).  Anyway, the DVD has an original trailer which is very cool and also a series of still shots from the film although I would like to have seen "behind the scenes" shots but I'll take what I can get.  The ability to jump to scenes via the "Scene Selection" feature is always a plus.  As far as the video, it isn't "digitally remastered" or anything but is fairly clean and DVD beats VHS for pause/rewind/FF picture quality.  The quality of the film itself is an oddity -- some scenes look very clean as though they were filmed today while other parts look like something from the 70's.  And sometimes shots of the same sequence in the film will contain both clean footage and poor footage alternating back and forth as the camera shots switch.  Ah, who cares -- I loved this movie as a kid and I love it now.  Now if ONLY someone would make a sequel so I could find out what the Wizards in the South are up to...AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH !!!!

I loved this film back in the 80's, and despite earth-shattering movies like Matrix and LotR, I still like it.

I'm desperately trying to get a pic of Crow sitting cross-legged, hood up, examining his fancy white arrows - can anyone help?

My arrow hit first. The peace of the dead.
Gav.

PS. does Crow survive at the end......?

Still an all time classic for me!

So full of cheese and fantasy stereo types. Still I can't help but watch it! Got the Video, the DVD and can quote it till kindom come.

They really don't make 'em like they used to!

Stu

Hi, my names Cherie, and im Ray Charlesons daughter, (thats Crow the elf 2 you) i'd just like to say to those who liked Crow, hes still a good looking man, and im even better ;) please email me on your thoughts. also id like to say that since Hawk the Slayer he has done much better movies, recently one with Steven Segal. xxx

I just introduced my wife to my alltime favorite childhood movie on dvd.  She thought "Hawk The Slayer" was worthy of praise. Since she never saw it as a kid I found this very satisfying. My brother mike wanted to be Crow. He worshipped that elf( so did I seceretly). I told him, " he wastes his time and mine", with his dream to become elven. It's nice to know I have company in my unhealthy devotion to this pre-"Lord Of The Rings" classic. Later, fellow fans!

All right!  It was a poorly made movie, but it was fun to watch.  It was one of the first movies I ever saw on cable and we were almost late for school many times because of it.  I always had a thing for Hawk and my sister loved Crow.  The characters were fun and the plot was pretty well written out.  The special effects were non-existant, but then we are taking the ealy 80's.  I even wrote out my own stories to continue on with Hawk, just for fun.  We may be a sick lot, but Hawk fans stand by their show!

This is SAD, i've been after this film for years, I finally got it on DVD the other day, Oh what a blast, I was 11 years old again, sitting in my local cinema watching the cheesiest sword and sorcery film of all time, well worth every penny. This film got me into fantasy in a big way, not long after I read 'The Lord Of The Rings'. Sheer inspiration, Thanks 'Hawk the Slayer', Top Film, should be a cult icon.

Top film. For me the defining scene is always Hawk being sent off via magic spinning hula hoops to gather his buddies. Each time he returns with the latest oddball the gnarly old woman gives it "The circle is not yet complete" and sends him off again. Over the top bad acting, bad effects and bad scenery, but the sum of the whole rocks.

Undoubtedly the best fantasy film ever.  It even gets a reference on the Channel 4 someday programme, Spaced: "I once punched a bloke in the face for saying 'Hawk the Slayer' was rubbish."

I heartily agree.  Anyone saying Hawk the Slayer is rubbish deserves a massive smack in the gob.  In fact, I think it's about time they made that sequel.  Surely Jack Palance and John Terry are young enough (and possibly hard-up enough) to accept!

I can vividly remember one summer vacation. I'd have Hawk rewound to my favorite fight scene. I'd awake, make my bowl of Cheerios, park 2 feet way from the TV and my folks' first (450 lb) VCR (roughly the size of a suitcase - top loader!!!) and let her rip, every blessed day of that summer vacation.

The movie is a classic. I long wondered about it, dissintegrating on some Hollywood backlot warehouse shelf. I tracked it down by looking up Palance via City Slickers, then checking his filmography (yes, I'd forgotten the name of the flick... that's how long ago it was since I've seen it). JUST ORDERED MY DVD COPY ON EBAY. Once the wife and kids hit the road for a weekend to grandmas, I'm popping that sucker in and turning 10 again.

And to think, there were so many of us out there, watching this flick at the same time, completely enamored by it. It makes me feel small. It's like closing your eyes and smelling something from your childhood.

It's the film that will not die. Found it on DVD through Hen's Tooth video. Get it now on Ebay !

Biggest Film in fantasy genre of American History...Others are Legend and Excalibur

This film rocks! Where the hell did they get that repeating crossbow,I want one. The best sound track ever!

Hawk the Slayer may not have had the budget of blockbusters we see today but we are talking over 20 years ago(how quickly people forget)when D&D fantasy films were never heard of and movie FX was still very much in its infancy, I was 12 when I first saw it and I was blown away and as far as I am concerned this film is a bright star in amongst all the others definitely worthy of Cult Status a film that shaped the future of all fantasy films we have today oooh the sword, the music (wish I could find it) just a fantastic film.

Hey we all know this movie is totally cheesy but its still alot of fun to watch. C'mon now you can admit it.You know you liked it.

Sure the special effects weren't special, and the writing wasn't based on Tolkein, but I love this movie anyway. It is 100% pure entertainment from beginning to end. It is a lot like turkey bacon. Great for what it is, just don't expect it to taste like bacon.

Oh this film DID amuse me; as I kept yelling out, "Pure cheese! Chesse and ham on toast without the toast!" As  awful as it was, I couldn't drag my self away from this awful spectacle! The magic glowing sword, hula hoops and BOUNCY BALLS , and the distinctive amount of blood when people were killed, was enough to keep me watching the whole film XD

They showed this on the BBC the other night. This is one of those "so bad it's good" films. I have never laughed so hard watching Jack Palance over act in that big helmet. And nothing says medevil england like disco music! This film Rocks!!

Saludos desde España colegas!!

My English is not the best. (so excuse me for the errors)
Im from Spain, Canary islands, exactly Tenerife. Im in true when i say that this movie its very apreciate in the roleplaying comunity of the city of Santa Cruz (tenerife´s capital).
There is anyway to get the soundtrack of this aweson freak movie?, really y need it!!!

This movie is great!, a roleplaying guy khows how to apreciate the movie. Really, tere are very few movies that brings me true diversion, one of this is Hawk the Slayer.

Que en español la han traducido a "La Espada Invencible".

Bye Bye From Tenerife, the land of the sun!!!.

Man, Hawk THe Slayer is one of the best Sci-Fi movies. I saw it on BBC1 at around 24:00 and couldn't stop laughing. The TV Guide billed it as "Pseudo-Mythical tripe." I really want a DVD release with actors commentary, and deleted (plot) oops, sceenes. As to people saying its a "big pile of crap," well, I wouldn't say so, it takes a lot to make a movie...They were trying their best! Or, maybe they weren't, come to think of it. However, it is a great watch and a lot of fun.

I've seen this movie a zillion times.  I wish somebody could tell me why.

This film is so bad it's good. I don't recall seeing it on MST3K, but it cries out for that kind of treatment. I think it's a great film, and it shows what kind of fun you can have with a low budget and a truly desperate Jack Palance.

I just finished watching this on DVD and thought I'd have a look on the net for a mind sword. Didn't find one but I found this page. Glad I'm not the only closet Hawk fan.

"some people just don't know when to keep their mouth's shut"

Many years ago I wondered if Hawk fans would muster the strenghth to petition the studio to producea DVD. To those of you who had the sack- many thanks.

I remember loving this film when it came on TV originally; then I had to wait until the DVD to see it again- I nearly forgot about it entirely, because they never showed it on TV much at all ( I wonder why?!) It's hard to say why, but it is genuinely one of my favourite films, and is on a par with Dragonslayer as my favourite fantasy film. Bernard Breslaw kicking arse- what more do you need in life?

Hawk the Slayer is cheap and tacky, but it is one of my favourate fantasy films of all time..the music in the film is great..the story is cool even if a little cheesey in places...this film would definatly deserve a remake....long live glowing green transporters....

This film,not only rocks,It has influnced some of todays fantasy films.
Do you really think Legolas fires his bow THAT fast in the books?!?
ANd more to the point,Van Helsing.
the fully autmomatic crossbow that he uses.
I think that Peter Jackson and Stephen Sommers BOTH love this film.

This is the best movie ever! I never laught that much an saturday morning when i switched on tv and started watching this unique film! Guys BUY IT!! Watch it all the day!!!


GreetZ from Germany

Man, I love this show. Especially that reject Spock of an elf. Have you ever seen anyone shoot arrows like a machine-gun. And honest to gawd, the one thing I remembered was the funky techno music. It sure brought back memories when I heard it here again. In fact, I download the attached wav and I'm going to use it on my windows startup. lol

My only complaint is the lack of a sexy lady to make up the troupe. Sorry, nuns and witches don't do it for me.

WoooooOOOO00000OOOOooooW!

This film is the best i've ever seen. It's totally crank and awful but i rolled on floor laughing. Believe me, Hawk The Slayer is our all Saviour!

Another Greetings from the Krauts!

Avalanche

Of course this is a great film. If you played AD&D as an adolscent this was images of your games plucked from your imagination and laid out on film. This is everything young fantasy was and should be. A pox upon thee for not making a sequel. My favorite point is that Crow and Ranulf pretty much do all the work with their bow and automatic crossbow. Hawk kills what? One guy to every 50 Ranulf and Crow puncture? More films should have followed this idea rather than the lame sword and sandal route.

Saw it years ago,on late night-I stayed awake for it,which is more then I can say for any of the "Ring" movies

The elf guy "Crow" is the most amazingly bad actor I have ever seen (I suspect that he is in reality a retarded vulcan) which makes his cheesy lines even funnier.

"They will give us peace!"
(in a monotone)-"Yes. The peace...of the dead"

But the funniest line has to be
"I am no messenger, but I will give you a message. The message... of death!

Okay! Twenty two years ago this movie was the s**t! Please keep in mind I was 10!!! I showed it to my kids and they laught their collective asses off! I was sort of hurt by that. Have we really gotten' that spoiled that even a cheesy movie like this can no longer entertain us!

It was really funny watching my 7 year old look at me and say " Daddy....you thought this was cool? When?"

Sad in Denver!!!

Marc

A most excellent, classic film. The very finest in cheese.
What is often overlooked is that the fight director is a well-respected fellow not only in that field but in the study of medieaval martial arts. The fights are "filmic", but actually very good. The hammer fight over eating cow dung is a particular favourite of mine.

It's worth noting (ok, maybe not) that the part or the neon-spewing witch is played by Patricia Quinn! (AKA Magenta of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame.)  What happened to her career BTW?  I remember thinking her quite hot...

Man, that was one savage film. Just spent about 5 minutes p**sing my pants at that review. I reckon some attention could have been drawn to the bit where that loudmouth  Friar gets pummeled by his own club. We need more piles of crap like this!!

This is the best cult fantasy movie classic of all time!!! I was shocked to see it on badmovies.org...I remember seeing it first on TV when I was 10 years old and I still have the original VCR recorded tape. IMO its still as good as it was all those years ago - Jack Palance gave an amazing performance and I'd say Voltan was the greatest movie villain! I wish there was a sequel and I'm really hoping Jack (Voltan) can be in it!

Despite what todat would pass as bad effects and such, this movie is great.I loved every minute of it.It is the best worse RPG friendly movie of alltime.I saw it when it came out in 1980 and love watching to this day.....just awesome..

I'm a great fan of this movie, watched it when i was just 9 and since then , i havent seen it again. Is there anywhere i could download the soundtracks and the movie for free because everywhere i searched has a price tag attached to the items and we dont operate a credit card facility here in Nigeria. I would be grateful if i am assisted.

My best line in the movie i could remember

"This is a story of herioc deeds and the bitter struggle for good over evil.      When the legend of darkness stalked the land..............."

Just one problem with your analysis, MadKalnod. You're using D&D 3rd Edition terminology, and Hawk the Slayer pre-dates that by about 20 years. :)

This movie is awesome. I saw it too when I was a young lad and just watched the DVD earlier this evening. I have  not seen this movie in years. Then I started going to ebay and found Sasquatch The legend of Bigfoot, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Hawk the Slayer, The Night Stalker, The White Buffalo, Raise the Titanic, and others I have not seen in a long time.

The movie is very cheesy. But back in the early 80's movies like this were fun. I dont know how many of you saw Star Wars in the theater back in 1977. I was 12, and forever changed. They don't make movies like Hawk anymore. The magic of Bigfoot, etc are all but gone. Life was more mysterious back then, and fun. I will never forget and always have fond memories of staying up after 12AM and watching movies like Hawk, or Kelly's Heros.

If you were a kid and saw this movie all those years ago, I am sure you will agree it was really cool at the time. I still enjoy this movie.

I also saw this move for the first time recently, also inspired by this review, (in the same showing as Zack who posts above me, actually), and I must agree that it is indeed  "a spunky load of noodles."  Other things to note:

In the sequence where Ranulf is tied to a tree and used as a throwing-axe practice target by the bandits, why doesn't he just slip his stump out of the rope?  He's tied at the wrist, and there's no hand to prevent him from doing so...

Also in the same scene, the two bandits pull their axes out of the tree, walk away from Ranulf, and then turn back to throw their axes again.  Now, before they can complete this action, they turn around again, startled to see Hawk having snuck up behind them.  HOW?!?!  They is no way they couldn't have seen him in the process of returning to the spot where they are startled.  They would have had to walk right up to him, fail to see him, turn around to throw their axes, note that Ranulf has spotted the be-mulleted Rennfaire renegade hero behind them, and THEN finally notice him as they turn around again.  I can only assume that, as so many have opined, this is a live-action Dungeons and Dragons adventure, and the bandits fumbled their Spot checks.

In fact, D&D analysis explains a lot of other things in this movie that don't make sense otherwise.
  Ranulf and Crow are arrow-spraying whirlwinds of doom until the final battle, when they simply pause to get killed?  They failed their Saving Throws.
  The ludicrous "holy food" discussion Baldin uses to scam Gort out of the chicken?  Baldin rolled a natural 20 to Bluff, and Gort rolled a 1 to Sense Motive.  The DM says "Baldin can basically say any dang thing at this point and Gort believes him."

Speaking of Baldin, he's no Dwarf.  A Gnome, or a Halfling, maybe even a Kender, but no self-repecting Dwarf would invite comparison with Baldin.  Frell, Ranulf's a better Dwarf than Baldin, height issues notwithstanding.

In the "Connections with other bad movies" department, eagle-eyed credit readers (or just those that make their Search rolls) will notice that Bernard Bresslaw (Gort) also played Rell the Cyclops in Krull, Patricia Quinn (The Woman) was Magenta in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Declan Mulholland (the fat one-eyed slaver) is better known as "Fat Irish Jabba the Hutt stand-in" in deleted scenes from the original Star Wars Episode IV.  (Yes, some may take issue with the implication that the original Star Wars is a bad movie, and I don't say that it is.  However, the Special Edition, which re-inserts the embarrassing Jabba scene made possible by Declan's presence, is most assuredly a load of Bantha Poodoo.)

I actually just saw this movie for the first time (Inspired by the review here, oddly enough) and lemme tell you...it hurt

I respect it for being like the ONLY movie in all of history (that wasn't an incarnation of Tolkien's) that uses actual Dwarves and elves and such, but that's it.

and using them and calling them by name doesn't make them any less gay

...and the guy above me has heard of "Ator the Invincible"...giggle.  warms my heart

I remember watching this movie when it was released and thought it was great. Sure it has cheesy special effects but hey... for the time there weren't many to D&D type movies to compete with. Man you thought this was bad, compared to ato the invicible, krull the conquerer or beastmaster this is a gem. :)

Just heard that Jack Palance has passed away. Although I'm sure Hawk the Slayer isn't the film he'd most want to be remembered for, it's the one I've watched the most times, so it immediately came to mind for me.

I thought the same thing when I read the news about Jack.

Crap or not, this film transfixed a lot of youths back in the early 80's. That alone is a worthy mention. Good Job Jack. Peace be with you.

Helmuut

OK so it is mild no sex no blood no gore, that is why it is so much more superior to any of the modern violence inspired foul mouthed films of today, I watch it regularly and if you dont tkae life to seriously and enjoy good old fashioned escapism then watch it in the way it was intended.

I was surfing around on Youtube and found this cool and informative behind the scenes look at the making of Hawk the Slayer.
It's pretty neat!

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F23Ur8-FTKU

That's great, I'll watch that at home later where I can get some sound on.  I don't think the rest of the office  will be interested in listening to behind the scenes on Hawk The Slayer  :teddyr:

I remember when this film first came out.

I lived in Sierra Vista, AZ. and I remember getting into quarrels with my friends as to that time-honored game of "Who Plays What In the Film".

This film is my 2nd favorite of all-time.
I pay attention to fans rather than critics, because critics are paid to be jack@$$es.

I love this film enough that I use it as an Online Society handle.

At age 32, I have even sat down and re-written my own version of this film.
If there were EVER to be a consideration of re-working this into a passable 21st Century film, I think I have the answer.
True to the original, yet with better effects that don't require enough money to budget the Pentagon.

Jack Palance and Bernard Bresslaw (Voltan & Gort) are sorely missed.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!  Seriously, it is my favorite B-Movie in the whole world!  There is not another movie so... out there... and so... awesome...  I love it!  I want to make the sequel.  Me and my friend have the entire next 5 movies planned out.  The next one involves Godzilla!  It's going to be awesome...  I'll keep ya posted...  ;)  :thumbup: :thumbup:

 :hot:
Oh. My. Sweet. Sci. Fi. Lord!  

I "saw" this film, what, YEARS ago?! I'm 29 now, I must have been about 10 or less when I "saw" this film. Why do I keep saying "saw" in speechmarks?! See Big Fat J's comment. I could honestly echo it exactly word for word.

Do you know how long it's been that I thought I'd imagined the whole film?! I haven't seen it since that time when I was little. I watched it with my Dad, and my brother, and they long since forgot it. But me, something about the film struck a chord and stayed with me - but everyone I've ever spoken to about it just thought I was mad. Nobody believed me. Nobody had heard of the film.

AND NOW IT'S ON BBC TWO TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw the title, and thought, "Hm, I wonder what that film's about." Googled it, found this site, and VOILA. The film I've always had recurring dreams/nightmares/memories about, but reached the point of believing I'd dreamt the whole thing up....

Man. I'm so relieved. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now I can take off this mental straitjacket and announce my sanity to the world... I just KNEW somehow I wasn't mad... I take on board everyone's comments, good and bad, but I'm now getting set to watch the film as though I'll be greeting an old, welcome friend. And I'm gonna enjoy the effects, the score and the memory...

The S Man.

We have to remember this movie was made in 1980, not 2008!! This movie to me is a cult classic. Yes the acting is a little cheesy but I just love the hell out of it. The reason it’s so good is because it leaves some things to your imagination. I love the parts in the movie where Hawk is fixing to fight someone and it zooms into him and then the guys he is fixing to fight, it’s just like an old western. Part of the music in the movie could have come out of an old western. If you’re looking for a not so serious fun entertaining movie, buy it. Check out imdb. Most of the actors in "Hawk the Slayer" went on to have great acting careers. Even the guy who plays Hawk has been in a lot of shows. Everything from “24” to “Lost”.

Cool to see other fans of this movie commenting. Like some, I saw this film a looooong time ago on TV and as a kid it really impressed me. A very obscure film, it has been a challenge to find it on the net, but I did, and very happy for it! Sure it is low budget, there is some cheese, but there is a creative quality to it that still impresses me. But we are the old farts. What do the kids today think? All I can say is that Hawk the Slayer is now a favorite movie of my son (11) who has been inundated with LOTR and loads of other big budget fantasy films. Is it a great film? You bet! If it can still entertain me (isn't that the main point of film) and can capture the kids today with all the low budget effects, it still deserves a measure of respect.

 i saw hawk the slayer when i was a kid and loved it to this day
 other movies i like are lady hawk , dragon slayer  (do thay have spell check on this thing ) i love these kind of movies so if any  one has any movies like thes please let me know i would very much like to see them
 
   alaskabear@sbcglobal.net
 
   frank
0

 i agree
 the movies of this time did not depend on a lot of hi tec  f/x
 thay depend on a good plot   and a good story witch this movie has  
  

Wow!  It's fun for me to read this site and all the comments.  Like most of the people here, I love this movie!  Of course it's cheesy, but that's beside the point.  It's fun to watch.  It could be that some of my love for "Hawk the Slayer" is due to nostalgia.  I started playing D&D in the early '80s and this movie reminds me of those days.  I have it on DVD and pop it in once a month at least!  Good times.   :smile:

www.myspace.com/hawkthehunter

This is official! A sequel is in the works in 2009!!

Here's the film on the production company website: www .jingafilms.com/film_details.asp?film_id=30

My favorite terrible movie. I love to inflict this on people. Jack played up the hammiest performance he could for what he knew to be a dog of a role. It is embarrassingly painful today just like it was when I saw it new. Glad to see the guy who played Hawk turn up on Lost. The way they reuse footage over and over is a scream. One handed crossbow? And to follow this up with a sequel set up. That took nerve. Ed Wood couldn't have done a better job, or a worse one as the case may be.

You've got to mention the soundtrack. Thanks to the soundtrack, "Hawk the Slayer" is to Sword and Sorcery movies what "Disco Dancer" is to Bollywood.

I used to watch this film a lot when I was a Kid, in fact I used to own it on V2000 (remember those), I absolutely loved it.  I remember the music during the fighting scene, a bit like war of the worlds.

I too am an old time gamer and this film fits right in with the D&D settings. It was a neat little film that used to come on tv from time to time. I used to have a VHS copy but that went the way of the dodo. I need a DVD copy.

Such a fun movie.
I used to have the GIF of Crow leaping over the log and shooting an arrow. The GIF was, of course, continuously repeating - just like in the movie!
Man I wish I can find that GIF again.

Isn't this the flick where the dwarf eats a fish by sticking the whole thing in his mouth and pulling out its skeleton? I think I've actually seen this movie. VHS circa 1996, I'm thinking, mebbe? Some high school weekend... What a trip.