Krull

Starring: Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, David Battley, Liam Neeson
Written by: Stanford Sherman
Director: Peter Yates
Year: 1983

Rating: * * 1/2  Stars       +       (Fan Bonus 1/2 )  Total: * * *


Krull has all the hallmarks of classic sword & sorcery fantasy. A deposed Prince, a Princess in Peril, a  hero's quest, a legendary weapon, and a fortress of evil.  Yet in spite of it's familiarity it has a lot of original concepts that give Krull its own flavor, setting it apart from others of this genre.


Krull is a world invaded by an alien being known only as the Beast. His white-clad minions called slayers ride out and conquer kingdom after kingdom, looking to enslave the whole world. Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) is to marry Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony). Their union will unite their Kingdoms, ending their hostilities, and focus their combined might to fight back the invaders. However, the slayers arrive to kidnap the Princess on her wedding day, and killing her would be husband and both kings. Badly wounded, Colwyn survives the attack with the aid of Ynir (Freddie Jones) a kindly old sage who guides the new King on a quest to rescue his bride and destroy the Beast. First, he must find a weapon of ancient power, and then to seek out a powerful fortune teller to see where the Black Fortress rises, as each dawn the Fortress disappears to a new location. Along the way they are joined by a motley assortment of companions, including a band of thieves, an inept magician named Ergo The Magnificent (David Battley), and a Cyclops. 


In a fantasy genre, writers have carte blanche, and can fill their world with imaginative creatures and locations. You'll certainly find plenty of that here. From fast horses called Fire Mares who run so fast they can fly, to an ancient seer known as The Widow of the Web, cursed to live in a cave, in the center of a web guarded by a giant spider. There is plenty to lose yourself to in this imaginative tale.


Despite all the positives going for it, and its standing among cult movie fans, Krull fails to deliver. Like a stew, all the ingredients are there, but the taste ends up bland. One expects more flavor. The end result is an epic movie that comes off as just OK. Maybe it's because the acting is good, not great. The effects are good, not great. Direction, costumes, sets, all good, but not great. Perhaps all involved, from the studio down to the best boy, phoned in their efforts rather than giving 100%. Still, among cult fantasy fans, Krull endures. 






SEE THE TRAILER: Krull