@Michael K. Vaughan I love how your voice cracked as you were attempting to extoll the virtues of HawkThe Slayer. I completely understand that you would be overcome with emotion upon recalling this movie. 😂
Good list, but too many missed for me. Only to mention a few classics: Beastmaster, Willow, Red Sonja, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Tygra Fire & Ice, etc. Cool room, by the way :)
For me it has to be Jason & the Argonauts....just to hear the first creaking sound of the colossus Taylos starting to move takes me right back to being a kid glued to the TV on a bank holiday....Still do actually. But where was 'The Never-ending Story'? ....fun movie I suppose based on a fantastic book by Michael Ende. I have an old hardback copy with the alternating green and red typeface.
I love all of those movies. I remember the lines at the theaters for Conan. That version was a bit more like Kull. Liam Neeson was in Excalibur too. Along with Patric Stewart. All great.
I was starting to think that you found Excalibur to be too classy for the list. Was sweating it the whole time. It is my number one too. Disappointed that The Beastmaster didn't make the list but it just shows how unperfect we all are.
10. Hawk the Slayer 9. Ladyhawke 8. Dragonslayer 7. Krull 6. Solomon Kane 5. Clash of the Titans (Harry Hamlin version) 4. Highlander 3. Jason and the Argonauts 2. Conan the Barbarian 1. Excalibur I might disagree some with the order, but not with the list.
I'm thrilled that Krull made your list. I found a paperback version of it in a thrift store a few years ago. I love these 80's Sword & Sorcery flicks! Would you include Kirk Douglas' Ulysses in this category? I just rewatched Excalibur last week--best movie ever! "Guards, Knights, Squires prepare for battle!"
Yep, I remember Dragonslayer because that’s the best dragon ever put to screen and because that dragon burns to death a Catholic priest! The Salomon Kane film was pretty good, although it shows the budget was gone for the ending. I agree about Excalibur, any other King Arthur will disappoint - Borman did that instead of Lord of the Rings.
I'd nominate the beautifully designed 1924 Thief of Bagdad, with Douglas Fairbanks. If you're in the right frame of mind, it can be a transportive experience and the fact that it's a silent film only adds to the feeling of being in a dream. You can find a number of prints of it on you tube. Try the one by Film Restoration.
I actually watched Grammaticus's list before this, and I was shocked to my very core at the lack of Hawk the Slayer, so well done for setting the record straight.
Thank you for putting in "Clash Of the Titans." I loved this movie! I'm a total mythology geek and I could bore my friends talking about all the stories that inspired it.
Hawk the Slayer is not only the greatest Sword and Sorcery film, it's the greatest film of all time. Seriously. Edit: I would reshuffle the order a bit, but I don't disagree with any of your picks. Conan is #1 for me (well, after Hawk the Slayer). Awesome list! And the Cyclops in Krull is played by Bernard Bresslaw, who also plays the "giant" in Hawk the Slayer.
Nice list! Not counting LOTRs trilogy, My personal top ten are: 1. Conan The Barbarian 1982 2. The Neverending Story 3. Clash of the Titans 1981 4. Army of Darkness 5. Legend 6. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 7. Willow 8. The Beastmaster 9. 300 10. The Sword in the Stone
I certainly remember Dragonslayer! And Krull! Saw both in the theater. The dragon scared the hell out of me, especially when he blasted the priest in the face. And I had to run out and get a throwing star after watching Krull.
When I lived in the L.A. area, I sometimes liked to go on solo hikes in the local mountains. I think I was hiking through Malibu Canyon when some director was filming a Sword and Sorcery movie in the middle of the trail. I hiked around. I recall cheesy costumes and a damsel in distress. No recognizable actor. I don't think this one ever made it big.
I agree with most of the entries on this list, and am disappointed that Hollywood doesn't sanction more S&S projects. The only adjustment I would make would be to include The Sword and the Sorcerer from 1982. In my mind that film would probably bump Hawk the Slayer out of the #10 spot.
Sadly, there simply isn't a long list of movies to choose from when it comes to Sword and Sorcery. But you've chosen a good range of films Michael. Solomon Kane: I was particularly impressed by the final battle. Sadly it wasn't a big enough hit to warrant a sequel. Clash Of The Titans: Harry Hamlin before L.A. Law. Russell Mulcahy is a fellow Aussie who began his film career making music videos for Aussie bands. Jason And The Argonauts would appear on tv once a year when I was growing up and I'd watch it with my father every time it was aired; happy memories. Excalibur is at the pinnacle of Boorman's career. It's chaotic, surprising, great acting with some huge stars early in their careers. It may bear only a passing resemblance to Mallory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" but it's a better movie for it because it's infused with Boorman's wild magic-style creative energy.
Yes, the dragon is really good in Dragonslayer, but what I remember most from that movie were the perms😅 Ladyhawke is such a wonderful film, but I'm not as high on the soundtrack as some people are😉 Such a fun list.
Ah Dragonslayer, the best movie dragon, no cg, a thing of beauty and wonder. I saw this at cinema, I love it. Jason and the Argonauts is S&S? I would protest but it is one of the greatest Harryhausen movies, one of my favourites. My friend has an obsession with Hawk the Slayer, as he says "a fun parody of D&D".
I remember Dragonslayer. I rented and eventually owned it on VHS in the late 80s. Loved that movie. Hawk The Slayer is the only one here that I somehow missed. Just watched the trailer. It looks amazing. Jack Palance is in it. That ups the bar right there.
Nice list - I like the way you excluded LOTR; those films are magnificent, but they'd be on everyone's list, and your videos often direct us to choices we might not have considered - I was also perspiring, wondering if you'd include Excalibur (I agree it's on another level - as if Kubrick made a film on this topic) - I also agree Conan's a great film - do you think Momoa's Conan portrayal is more faithful, even if the film is worse? Some of my own favorites not on this list include Last Unicorn; Bakshi's LOTR; Beastmaster; Sword and Sorcerer; Princess Mononoke; Dark Crystal; Thief of Baghdad; Legend; Princess Bride; Rankin-Bass Hobbit (also Jackson's, but those are also too classy) also 7th and Golden Voyages of Sindbad; Heavy Metal Ugetsu's also too classy for this, but it's amazing; I agree Vermithrax is the best pre-Smaug dragon - I love Warcraft, which feels like a throwback to pre-Jackson fantasy of the 80s; wuxia are also sword and sorcery, but that might make the category too broad? shout-out to Ashes of Time and Bride w White Hair, to avoid the most famous examples - also see insane Indonesian flick Warrior and Ninja (very grungy) - you might like Fritz Lang's silent Nibelungenlied
You had me worried -- I thought you'd missed Excalibur! My main memory of Dragonslayer was a baby dragon eating someone's feet? Or did I hallucinate that? Seemed bold for a Disney flick. 😵💫
I saw Excalibur in theaters, during its initial run, more than any other film, before or since. Couldn't get enough of if. Nowadays I find it a bit hokey in spots, but still think it contains a good many isolated moments that have stood the test of time. I own it on both Laser Disc (and own a still-functional LD player) and DVD.
Very entertaining video! But I must say including films about classical mythology seems to be cheating a bit (aren't those consider peplums?), perhaps to avoid the hard decisions, like whether to include Deathstalker 1 or Deathstalker 2. And no Conquest by the maestro Lucio Fulci ? I just don't know. But at least Hawk is on the list 🤣🤣
Great list, Mike. I'm sure it's infinitely greater than the ones those clowns Donohoe & Grammaticus come up with. I thought you could have found a spot for The Princess Bride. A bit light on the sorcery but the movie itself is magic.
My Top 25 Favorite Sword and Sorcery Films (followed by 15 Honorable Mentions) are: #01. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) #02. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) #03. Conan the Barbarian (1982) #04. Excalibur (1981) #05. Willow (1988) #06. Dragonslayer (1982) #07. Legend (1985 - Extended Director's Cut) #08. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) #09. Clash of the Titans (1981) #10. Red Sonja (1985) #11. Highlander (1986) #12. The Dark Crystal (1982) #13. Big Trouble in Little China (1986) #14. Heavy Metal (1981 - Animated Film) #15. Conan the Destroyer (1984) #16. She (1965) #17. Arabian Adventure (1979) #18. Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) #19. Labyrinth (1986) #20. Krull (1983) #21. Wizards (1977 - Animated Film) #22. Highlander 2 (1991 - Extended Director's Cut) #23. The Vengeance of She (1968) #24. Hercules in the Haunted World (1964) #25. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Bonus: 15 Honorable Mentions are: #26. The Hobbit (1977 - Animated TV Movie) #27. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) #28. The Beastmaster (1982) #29. Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1985) #30. Hercules (1983) #31. Fire and Ice (1983 - Animated Film) #32. The Lord of the Rings (1978 - Animated Film) #33. Jabberwocky (1977) #34. Gawain and the Green Knight (1973 Version) #35. Jack, The Giant Killer (1962) #36. The Magic Sword (1962) #37. Hearts and Armour (1983) #38. Return of the King (1980 - Animated TV Movie) #39. Ladyhawke (1985) #40. Hercules Against the Moon Men (1965) PS: Regarding this ongoing debate over what IS a Sword and Sorcery film, and what is NOT a Sword and Sorcery film... My opinion?... If the film has SWORDS... and it also has SORCERY ... Then it is a Sword and Sorcery film... Pretty simple, really!.
#9 Ladyhawke is crippled in the "suspending disbelief" department largely on account of the Alan Parsons Project soundtrack. If someone were to go back and rescore it with something more traditional I suspect it would have a much different reception. Much like the director's cut of Legend (with the Jerry Goldsmith score) vs the theatrical cut ( with .....Tangerine Dream????)
Mike, once again you're wrong. Arnold's Conan is the greatest movie ever made. Despite this egregious error, I hope you have a great weekend and I will await your next video.
I think you should have had Willow instead of Solomon Kane. Also, the Princess Bride should be on the list. If your going to put Highlander on the list, you might as well put Star Wars a New Hope. Star Wars a New Hope would meet your criteria, and it really is the best movie of all time by far.
I love the Hawk the Slayer soundtrack sounding like a mash up of The good, the Bad and the Ugly and Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds in parts. It's a hilarious and entertaining film with a not that tall giant and a quite tall dwarf. Also the giant is the cyclops in Krull. Excalibur is amazing.
Well look who's been duchessed by Helen Mirren....tsk tsk tsk. 🤭🤭 I can only remember the raunch in Xcalibur. I support the exclusion of LotR 👍 Good sword and sorcery should keep you awake 😉 I'd have Conan at number 1. I'm duchessed by Valeria.
What, no Ator?:p Very happy to see Excalibur at number 1: I watched that film an unhealthy amount of times as a kid, and by getting me into Arthuriana it wound up costing me quite a bit of money - the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate Cycles weren't cheap to collect.
In order to qualify as Sword & Sorcery there must be a sorceror tied to a Cthonic entity. An entity either akin to the 😢Cthulhu universe, or one from the pre-Olympian Greek Gods. The supernatural element should metaphorically depict an evolutionary conflict for the moral direction of the entire human race. The defunct storyline must present some limited battle or skirmish with ties to this larger narrative.
Movies you might have missed. Pathfinder - the American version. The original Norwegian film is superior, but I would consider it a historical/adventure film. But I recall the Howard-ish S&S US version was pretty good. 1963 Perseus Versus The Monsters was good, mostly for the very creepy rendition of the Medusa.
I remember going to see Conan the Barbarian when it was in theaters. I had to get my parents to take me but I sat separately because I didn’t want their presence to ruin my experience, especially the orgy scene. 😂 but no Fire & Ice?! No Harryhausen Sinbad? C’mon, man!
Hawk the Slayer movie proven, that if you have a choice between most badass elven archer in the history of elven movies (yes I am looking at you Legolas, you hve a thing or two to learn from Crow) and the guy with repeater crossbow, the choice is you take them both in.
I couldn't quite come up with 10 best S&S movies. Here are my 9 picks, in no particular order, for what they are worth: The Scorpion King Kull the Conqueror Conan the Barbarian Jason and The Argonauts Clash of The Titans Seventh Voyage of Sinbad Golden Voyage of Sinbad Dragonslayer Excalibur
Wasn't Liam Neeson in Excaliber - which came out before Krull? How in the world are Ator and Sword and the Sorcerer not on this list? What? My mind is reeling.
Excalibur is so much better than The Green Knight. Conan is so much better than The Northman. I wish modern swords-and-sorcery films were as good as the old ones. There is no reason they cannot be. The D&D Honor Among Thieves movie is pretty good, though.
Krull!!!!! P.S. When introducing members of the younger generation to this film, we literally went out and bought crullers to eat during it. True story.
I actually do love the Ladyhawke soundtrack 😂 S&S movies might not be quality cinema, but they're entertaining, and that's good enough for me!
@Michael K. Vaughan I love how your voice cracked as you were attempting to extoll the virtues of HawkThe Slayer. I completely understand that you would be overcome with emotion upon recalling this movie. 😂
Ladyhawke was such a great movie, Rutger Hauer & the gorgeous Michelle Pfeiffer..
I may have to re-watch this again now..
hes better and more brutal medival fantasy movie Flesh Blood.
Oh, yes I watched Ladyhawke when I was a teenager and loved it. Re-watching this will probably also a good idea for me.
So good. Again. But you and Grammaticus both skipped The Sword and the Sorcerer?? Am I the only one who loved the campy-ass flick?
No you are not "We have kingdoms to save and women to love" I have been on multiple sites and I always bring this gem up no one listens
My heart is torn from my chest in triple bladed shame for this startling omission.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Now I want to read my old paperback novelization .... but I think I'll hold off till August. 🙂
You beat me to it!
Is that the one that's a remake of Yojimbo (which some claim was inspired by Dashiell Hammett's "Red Harvest")?
Good list, but too many missed for me. Only to mention a few classics: Beastmaster, Willow, Red Sonja, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Tygra Fire & Ice, etc. Cool room, by the way :)
Dragonslayer was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. I've always had great taste!😂
Nice! Grammaticus said that you'd included 'Krull' and 'Ladyhawke'. Two obviously perfect choices!
A solid list, certainly. But you missed one of the greatest Sword and Sorcery movies - _Monty Python and the Holy Grail._ What? It counts. 😄
What? “The Golden Voyage of Sinbad” (1974) not listed? A ‘scimitar & sorcery’ classic, with a terrific evil wizard for a villain!
That was Tom Baker who became famous for playing Doctor Who. It also had the beauteous Caroline Munro.
I love all three of the Harryhausen Sinbad movies
For me it has to be Jason & the Argonauts....just to hear the first creaking sound of the colossus Taylos starting to move takes me right back to being a kid glued to the TV on a bank holiday....Still do actually.
But where was 'The Never-ending Story'? ....fun movie I suppose based on a fantastic book by Michael Ende. I have an old hardback copy with the alternating green and red typeface.
I love all of those movies. I remember the lines at the theaters for Conan. That version was a bit more like Kull. Liam Neeson was in Excalibur too. Along with Patric Stewart. All great.
The Vermithrax Pejorative is the best dragon ever committed to film.
Didn’t Hawk the Slayer sweep the acting awards at the Oscars? Seriously though it was a fun movie.
It should have, certainly.
I was starting to think that you found Excalibur to be too classy for the list. Was sweating it the whole time. It is my number one too.
Disappointed that The Beastmaster didn't make the list but it just shows how unperfect we all are.
10. Hawk the Slayer
9. Ladyhawke
8. Dragonslayer
7. Krull
6. Solomon Kane
5. Clash of the Titans (Harry Hamlin version)
4. Highlander
3. Jason and the Argonauts
2. Conan the Barbarian
1. Excalibur
I might disagree some with the order, but not with the list.
I'm thrilled that Krull made your list. I found a paperback version of it in a thrift store a few years ago. I love these 80's Sword & Sorcery flicks! Would you include Kirk Douglas' Ulysses in this category? I just rewatched Excalibur last week--best movie ever! "Guards, Knights, Squires prepare for battle!"
Ulysses would certainly count, I think.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Or perhaps sword and sandal? I watched Steve's video--so mean. LOL!
Yep, I remember Dragonslayer because that’s the best dragon ever put to screen and because that dragon burns to death a Catholic priest! The Salomon Kane film was pretty good, although it shows the budget was gone for the ending. I agree about Excalibur, any other King Arthur will disappoint - Borman did that instead of Lord of the Rings.
I'd nominate the beautifully designed 1924 Thief of Bagdad, with Douglas Fairbanks. If you're in the right frame of mind, it can be a transportive experience and the fact that it's a silent film only adds to the feeling of being in a dream. You can find a number of prints of it on you tube. Try the one by Film Restoration.
I actually watched Grammaticus's list before this, and I was shocked to my very core at the lack of Hawk the Slayer, so well done for setting the record straight.
I thought he for sure would have included 'Ladyhawke'. 😊 I mean, it was the 80s!
Thank you for putting in "Clash Of the Titans." I loved this movie! I'm a total mythology geek and I could bore my friends talking about all the stories that inspired it.
It began with the listing of the greatest sword and sorcery movies . . .
Hawk the Slayer is not only the greatest Sword and Sorcery film, it's the greatest film of all time. Seriously.
Edit: I would reshuffle the order a bit, but I don't disagree with any of your picks. Conan is #1 for me (well, after Hawk the Slayer). Awesome list!
And the Cyclops in Krull is played by Bernard Bresslaw, who also plays the "giant" in Hawk the Slayer.
Excalibur! Yes!!! My cousin and I grew up watching this movie over and over. We probably had every line memorized at some point. Great list!
Nice list!
Not counting LOTRs trilogy, My personal top ten are:
1. Conan The Barbarian 1982
2. The Neverending Story
3. Clash of the Titans 1981
4. Army of Darkness
5. Legend
6. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
7. Willow
8. The Beastmaster
9. 300
10. The Sword in the Stone
I always thought there were scenes in Army of Darkness that look like Frazetta paintings.
I certainly remember Dragonslayer! And Krull! Saw both in the theater. The dragon scared the hell out of me, especially when he blasted the priest in the face. And I had to run out and get a throwing star after watching Krull.
When I lived in the L.A. area, I sometimes liked to go on solo hikes in the local mountains. I think I was hiking through Malibu Canyon when some director was filming a Sword and Sorcery movie in the middle of the trail. I hiked around. I recall cheesy costumes and a damsel in distress. No recognizable actor. I don't think this one ever made it big.
Totally with you on Excalibur. Concur with Conan at 2, but I’d put highlander 3rd and Ladyhawke 4th.
I agree with most of the entries on this list, and am disappointed that Hollywood doesn't sanction more S&S projects. The only adjustment I would make would be to include The Sword and the Sorcerer from 1982. In my mind that film would probably bump Hawk the Slayer out of the #10 spot.
Lady Hawke...Ok, that was a good pick! Great List Michael! But mine of course is better because...There can be only one!
Great list. There's a few of these I haven't watched since I was a little whippersnapper, but I'm going to try and seek them out for nostalgia
Sadly, there simply isn't a long list of movies to choose from when it comes to Sword and Sorcery. But you've chosen a good range of films Michael.
Solomon Kane: I was particularly impressed by the final battle. Sadly it wasn't a big enough hit to warrant a sequel.
Clash Of The Titans: Harry Hamlin before L.A. Law.
Russell Mulcahy is a fellow Aussie who began his film career making music videos for Aussie bands.
Jason And The Argonauts would appear on tv once a year when I was growing up and I'd watch it with my father every time it was aired; happy memories.
Excalibur is at the pinnacle of Boorman's career. It's chaotic, surprising, great acting with some huge stars early in their careers. It may bear only a passing resemblance to Mallory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" but it's a better movie for it because it's infused with Boorman's wild magic-style creative energy.
Ladyhawke, god I love that movie. I don’t see Willow on here, explain!
Well, obviously Willow isn’t as good as Hawk the Slayer.
I love the sound track of Ladyhawk even though a lot of people dont!
I would have liked to have seen Red Sonja on the list. Other than that most of the movies you listed bring back a lot of memories.
I believe Clash of the Titans 1981, was Harryhausen's last movie with his stop motion techniques. Surprised you didn't list 7th Voyage of Sinbad.
Yes, the dragon is really good in Dragonslayer, but what I remember most from that movie were the perms😅
Ladyhawke is such a wonderful film, but I'm not as high on the soundtrack as some people are😉
Such a fun list.
Ah Dragonslayer, the best movie dragon, no cg, a thing of beauty and wonder. I saw this at cinema, I love it.
Jason and the Argonauts is S&S? I would protest but it is one of the greatest Harryhausen movies, one of my favourites.
My friend has an obsession with Hawk the Slayer, as he says "a fun parody of D&D".
A really fun list, and it was entertaining to see you try and keep a straight face when talking about some of them.
I remember Dragonslayer. I rented and eventually owned it on VHS in the late 80s. Loved that movie.
Hawk The Slayer is the only one here that I somehow missed. Just watched the trailer. It looks amazing. Jack Palance is in it. That ups the bar right there.
Nice list - I like the way you excluded LOTR; those films are magnificent, but they'd be on everyone's list, and your videos often direct us to choices we might not have considered - I was also perspiring, wondering if you'd include Excalibur (I agree it's on another level - as if Kubrick made a film on this topic) - I also agree Conan's a great film - do you think Momoa's Conan portrayal is more faithful, even if the film is worse? Some of my own favorites not on this list include Last Unicorn; Bakshi's LOTR; Beastmaster; Sword and Sorcerer; Princess Mononoke; Dark Crystal; Thief of Baghdad; Legend; Princess Bride; Rankin-Bass Hobbit (also Jackson's, but those are also too classy) also 7th and Golden Voyages of Sindbad; Heavy Metal
Ugetsu's also too classy for this, but it's amazing; I agree Vermithrax is the best pre-Smaug dragon - I love Warcraft, which feels like a throwback to pre-Jackson fantasy of the 80s; wuxia are also sword and sorcery, but that might make the category too broad? shout-out to Ashes of Time and Bride w White Hair, to avoid the most famous examples - also see insane Indonesian flick Warrior and Ninja (very grungy) - you might like Fritz Lang's silent Nibelungenlied
You had me worried -- I thought you'd missed Excalibur! My main memory of Dragonslayer was a baby dragon eating someone's feet? Or did I hallucinate that? Seemed bold for a Disney flick. 😵💫
I saw Excalibur in theaters, during its initial run, more than any other film, before or since. Couldn't get enough of if. Nowadays I find it a bit hokey in spots, but still think it contains a good many isolated moments that have stood the test of time. I own it on both Laser Disc (and own a still-functional LD player) and DVD.
Great list! Ladyhawke was an excellent movie. Love Highlander, just a pity the sequels were so bad. I would definitely have Willow on my list.
Boy you nailed the top 2 selections, though I'd flip the order.
Very entertaining video! But I must say including films about classical mythology seems to be cheating a bit (aren't those consider peplums?), perhaps to avoid the hard decisions, like whether to include Deathstalker 1 or Deathstalker 2. And no Conquest by the maestro Lucio Fulci ? I just don't know. But at least Hawk is on the list 🤣🤣
Would love to hear your thoughts on Kevin Sorbo's KULL! lol
"Oh, Kull, you know I can't stand the taste of fish!" 🤣
I try not to think of that movie.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 🤣😂😋
My #1 would be Excalibur, too. I *love* that movie.
And I would have definitely included The Beastmaster!
The Silent Flute (or Circle of Iron as it was called in the colonies) - deserving of a spot on this list
Are Willow (1988) and Legend (1985) not considered S&S? I love those movies. Also, no mention of Conan's amazing soundtrack either!? :(
Krull was wild lol, loved the guy who played Colwyns second in command - the thief leader
Hey I've watched all of these apart from Hawk the Slayer and Excalibur, you served a great list although I would add Red Sonja and The Beast master.
Just finished watching Excalibur, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hawk the Slayer IS a masterpiece! I say this unironically.
Great list, Mike. I'm sure it's infinitely greater than the ones those clowns Donohoe & Grammaticus come up with. I thought you could have found a spot for The Princess Bride. A bit light on the sorcery but the movie itself is magic.
My Top 25 Favorite Sword and Sorcery Films (followed by 15 Honorable Mentions) are:
#01. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974)
#02. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
#03. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
#04. Excalibur (1981)
#05. Willow (1988)
#06. Dragonslayer (1982)
#07. Legend (1985 - Extended Director's Cut)
#08. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
#09. Clash of the Titans (1981)
#10. Red Sonja (1985)
#11. Highlander (1986)
#12. The Dark Crystal (1982)
#13. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
#14. Heavy Metal (1981 - Animated Film)
#15. Conan the Destroyer (1984)
#16. She (1965)
#17. Arabian Adventure (1979)
#18. Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
#19. Labyrinth (1986)
#20. Krull (1983)
#21. Wizards (1977 - Animated Film)
#22. Highlander 2 (1991 - Extended Director's Cut)
#23. The Vengeance of She (1968)
#24. Hercules in the Haunted World (1964)
#25. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Bonus: 15 Honorable Mentions are:
#26. The Hobbit (1977 - Animated TV Movie)
#27. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
#28. The Beastmaster (1982)
#29. Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1985)
#30. Hercules (1983)
#31. Fire and Ice (1983 - Animated Film)
#32. The Lord of the Rings (1978 - Animated Film)
#33. Jabberwocky (1977)
#34. Gawain and the Green Knight (1973 Version)
#35. Jack, The Giant Killer (1962)
#36. The Magic Sword (1962)
#37. Hearts and Armour (1983)
#38. Return of the King (1980 - Animated TV Movie)
#39. Ladyhawke (1985)
#40. Hercules Against the Moon Men (1965)
PS: Regarding this ongoing debate over what IS a Sword and Sorcery film,
and what is NOT a Sword and Sorcery film... My opinion?...
If the film has SWORDS... and it also has SORCERY ...
Then it is a Sword and Sorcery film... Pretty simple, really!.
I read the three first Solomon Kane stories for Occult Detective October and absolutely loved them (review on my channel). I also watched the film.
The Beastmaster! Someone must have brainwashed you for you to forget to put this one on the list.😊
Brainwashed! Roger strikes again!
#9 Ladyhawke is crippled in the "suspending disbelief" department largely on account of the Alan Parsons Project soundtrack. If someone were to go back and rescore it with something more traditional I suspect it would have a much different reception. Much like the director's cut of Legend (with the Jerry Goldsmith score) vs the theatrical cut ( with .....Tangerine Dream????)
I'm a big fan of Alan Parsons in his solo work and with the Alan Parson Project. But Ladyhawke's soundtrack is wildly inappropriate to that movie.
It is the doom of man to forget that, yes, Excalibur is the greatest movie of all time.
Excalibur is ok but the bad, anachronistic armour always takes me out of the Arthurian mood. I will agree with you on Ladyhawke though.
Congrats on 20k subs!!!
Thank you!!
Inspired by your silly lists, I'm going to watch some classic cheese .. Kull the Conqueror, surely Kevin Sorbo should have gotten onto the top ten.
Kevin's "Dis-a-POINT-ed!!!"
Hey, Michael! This video was hilarious! Thank you for acknowledging "Krull" but you left out "Fire & Ice" and "Willow"!!!
I did. If only I had done a top 20.
I remember wanting to see Solomon Kane and I never found a copy
I would definitely fit Fire and Ice and Beastmaster onto my list
I loved Excaliber too. Great list
Mike, once again you're wrong. Arnold's Conan is the greatest movie ever made. Despite this egregious error, I hope you have a great weekend and I will await your next video.
I think you should have had Willow instead of Solomon Kane. Also, the Princess Bride should be on the list.
If your going to put Highlander on the list, you might as well put Star Wars a New Hope. Star Wars a New Hope would meet your criteria, and it really is the best movie of all time by far.
A good list, but ‘Ladyhawke’ should be rated higher. It’s almost as good as ‘Excalibur’.
Sinbad's 7th voyage
I love the Hawk the Slayer soundtrack sounding like a mash up of The good, the Bad and the Ugly and Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds in parts. It's a hilarious and entertaining film with a not that tall giant and a quite tall dwarf. Also the giant is the cyclops in Krull. Excalibur is amazing.
I didn’t know that the giant was also the cyclops. Hawk the Slayer is even more awesome now.
In an alternate universe, these are all oscar winners.
I want to live in that universe.
Well look who's been duchessed by Helen Mirren....tsk tsk tsk. 🤭🤭 I can only remember the raunch in Xcalibur. I support the exclusion of LotR 👍 Good sword and sorcery should keep you awake 😉 I'd have Conan at number 1. I'm duchessed by Valeria.
I don’t know what being duchessed means…but whatever it is I would probably let Helen Mirren do it.
What, no Ator?:p Very happy to see Excalibur at number 1: I watched that film an unhealthy amount of times as a kid, and by getting me into Arthuriana it wound up costing me quite a bit of money - the Vulgate and Post-Vulgate Cycles weren't cheap to collect.
LadyHawke 👍
I would've like to have seen Ralph Bakshi's 'FIRE AND ICE' on the list, with Frazetta designs contributing to it. Otherwise, a good list!
Jason and the Argonauts is the best
What happened to Sorceress? That 80s move with twins. Isn’t that the best? 😈
Uhhh….😅
Dragonslayer was a Disney film
In order to qualify as Sword & Sorcery there must be a sorceror tied to a Cthonic entity. An entity either akin to the 😢Cthulhu universe, or one from the pre-Olympian Greek Gods. The supernatural element should metaphorically depict an evolutionary conflict for the moral direction of the entire human race. The defunct storyline must present some limited battle or skirmish with ties to this larger narrative.
I re.ember watching Hawk the Slayer when I was a teenager.
The very first movie I ever saw was The Magic Sword in 1962 when I was 3 years old
I have to agree it’s amazing, special effects are awesome and the script is excellent 🤣🤣🤣
Movies you might have missed. Pathfinder - the American version. The original Norwegian film is superior, but I would consider it a historical/adventure film. But I recall the Howard-ish S&S US version was pretty good. 1963 Perseus Versus The Monsters was good, mostly for the very creepy rendition of the Medusa.
I remember going to see Conan the Barbarian when it was in theaters. I had to get my parents to take me but I sat separately because I didn’t want their presence to ruin my experience, especially the orgy scene. 😂 but no Fire & Ice?! No Harryhausen Sinbad? C’mon, man!
Hawk the Slayer movie proven, that if you have a choice between most badass elven archer in the history of elven movies (yes I am looking at you Legolas, you hve a thing or two to learn from Crow) and the guy with repeater crossbow, the choice is you take them both in.
Perfect list
I couldn't quite come up with 10 best S&S movies. Here are my 9 picks, in no particular order, for what they are worth:
The Scorpion King
Kull the Conqueror
Conan the Barbarian
Jason and The Argonauts
Clash of The Titans
Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
Golden Voyage of Sinbad
Dragonslayer
Excalibur
How could you have hawk the slayer and not the Beastmaster, my all time fav?
The sword of power. Excalibur.
Desmond Davis.
Mul-CAY-ee.
No idea about Chaffey.
Wasn't Liam Neeson in Excaliber - which came out before Krull?
How in the world are Ator and Sword and the Sorcerer not on this list? What? My mind is reeling.
You are right. I got my early Neeson movies confused. 🫤
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 It happens. I also get my later Liam Neeson movies confused. "Was that Taken or Taken 5?" 😁
@@deeebeee1758 Hah!
MY FATHA'S SOOOAAAUUUAAAD
😆
Once again, "You've done a man's job, sir."
Oh, I might differ on this or that particular.
But nothing really worth fighting about.
I would love to have seen an 1960s or 70s Solomon Kane movie with Peter Cushing. How great would that have been?
That would have been amazing. A Hammer series of Solomon Kane movies starring Cushing!
Excalibur is so much better than The Green Knight. Conan is so much better than The Northman. I wish modern swords-and-sorcery films were as good as the old ones. There is no reason they cannot be.
The D&D Honor Among Thieves movie is pretty good, though.
I really thought Conan would be #1! Shocking, but understandable.
What is best in Life?
Thought FOR SURE number one was gonna be Beastmaster.
Beastmaster has a lot of fans!
Krull!!!!! P.S. When introducing members of the younger generation to this film, we literally went out and bought crullers to eat during it. True story.
Lol, You can't beat a good Bad B movie.