Deathstalker

If you take this as a fantasy, you'll probably be disappointed: it's as second-grade as they come, with a total blank for a hero and plenty of chaotically staged swordfights. But if you take it as a soft-porn film, you may be more pleased; there is a stimulating (if brief) sex scene midway through, and abundant nudity throughout, though only the beautiful Lana Clarkson escapes the film's depraved attitude toward women. Anyway, the film certainly isn't as bad as the two Ferrigno "Hercules" movies.....(*1/2)

WOW ! If there ever was such a thing called a "guy movie" this is it. Deathstalker is one of few films that includes sword fighting, nudity, mud wrestling, full frontal nudity, and mid evil characters that talk like they're from New Jersey! You got to love it. Take my advice and rent this flick, buy a six pack and a pizza and lock the doors. This is one worth watching if you just broke up with your girl friend.

This is an incredibly silly yet entertaining swords and sorcery flick from executive producer Roger Corman. Richard Hill stars as Deathstalker, an oiled-up beefcake of a hero with long blond hair and a lantern jaw, who is tasked by an old witch with finding a trio of magical artifacts before the evil wizard Munkar does and can become all-powerful. Along the way on his quest, Deathstalker meets up with a variety of friends, including a guy who starts off as some kind of goblin in a cave, another happy-go-lucky adventurer, and a warrior-woman who remains shirtless throughout (played by Lana Clarkson, the B-actress who was shot dead by Phil Spector in 2003).

The early 1980's were a big time for fantasy films, with the two Conan films with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dragonslayer, The Beastmaster, and The Sword & the Sorcerer. Deathstalker is their trashy exploitation cousin. This film has it all: a bald bad guy with a dumb tattoo on his face, a pig-man with a snotty nose, giants, lots of people with no shirts, a weird puppet monster in a box that eats fingers and eyeballs, a fighters' tournament, lots of people with no pants, gangs of mutants, silly costumes, harem girls, flashy spells, and Barbi Benton. I was able to appreciate its good points - maybe it's just nostalgia - but most rational people will find it lurid and dumb. This was an American-Argentinian co-production with a sequel that actually is an improvement.

The makers of this movie gave absolutely ZERO F**ks, and i respect that. Kill the bad guys, Save the girls, pretty straightforward and fun. Good guy is a blank slate easy to identify with and the bad guy is a good and easy target to hate. lots of random careless nudity and plenty of 'classy' one liners. It's nothing to write home about certainly but those of you who like the 80's metal movies like Conan will love it. pretty basic as far as plot and story line but that's nothing you won't expect from the poster. I think it has great potential as a background movie for any good D&D campaign or reckless party. Epic Metal Movie, get drunk and enjoy

A warrior named Deathstalker is sent on a quest by a witch to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword, soon he finds himself making new allies whilst battling warriors, creatures and a wizard.

Off the back of Conan the Barbarian (1982) director James Sbardellati's (credited as John Watson) offering is in the vein of The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) but lacks the scope. Writer Howard R. Cohen's adult orientated plot is paper thin.

Modelled on He-man Rick Hill (with a mix of Peter Weller and Dolphin Lundgren) does a good enough job as Deathstalker. Wearing very little the late Lana Clarkson steals the show. Richard Brooker as Oghris is notable. Gratuitous nudity galore, unnecessary rape, produced by Roger Corman it has all the production pitfalls you'd expect, including cheap sets and choppy editing, but is high in concept and is entertaining for the most part. Óscar Cardozo Ocampo's music raises the production and staged fight scenes, even if a little intrusive at times. The giant pig-man gladiator fight scene setup is a highlight even if nothing like the promotional art. Also the showdown is interesting even if borrowed from Superman II (1980) where Flash Gordon's Ming-like sorcerer Munkar played by Bernard Erhard gets to shine a little.

Overall, it takes itself seriously, it's violent, with wall to wall scantily-clad leads and extras. It has a strange appeal, oozing low budget eighties sword and sorcery shenanigans. One of the better Conan cash-ins, even if the poster art is better than the film.