Mestre das Feras

As some might think this Beastmaster version not dark as or enough considering the original movie it comes from I must disagree feeling it has very good and thought provoking points in relation to the movie and that the movie could not explore.

Daniel Goddard is perfectly cast as a new model Beastmaster a little more officially muscled while Marc Singer muscled enough the original and movie Beastmaster was also just plain imposing in such a way you might feel he could defend the toughest tiger or lion. Daniel Goddard makes up for this in the muscle of his build in relation to the animals he cares for and tries to save from harm avoiding conflict if possible.

Beastmaster, the series, is worthy to be called so in relation to the movie and Marc Singer if for no other reason than the complimentary to each other comparison and the exploration of love, care, and issues of animals and man in the resistance of evil for the cause of good. The series is also well filmed and looks great too, a style all its' own. I for one am sorry it could not get a couple of more seasons into the can much is missing those seasons might have included.

My son, Simon Burnett, is the stunt double for Daniel, so we have been watching every episode. It comes across as at least two shows in one. The out of doors, walking in the woods and fighting. And the other, the mystical- fairy one, with special effects and clothing. It would work better if the mystical world was only at night, a dream scape for the characters and story line.

It seems from watching that the producers of this series didn't take the time to plan their "bible" before beginning the series. The basic story, handed down from Andre Norton through the series of films, was fine, but this kind of high-concept fantasy series requires an established mythology to guide the storytelling. This one seemed to flounder around without much dramatic impetus. The leads were highly appealing, if inexperienced at the beginning of the series, and individual episodes were often entertaining. The final story arc over the last half of the final season was too slapdash and amateurish to redeem the series as a whole. While it did draw the story to a finish, it wasn't a particularly compelling finish; the appearance of Marc Singer (the star of the Beastmaster films) was a silly stunt. One can only hope that Daniel Goddard and Jackson Raine move on to better projects--both are appealing enough to merit it.

After having watched the show in re-runs for a couple of years, I recently purchased "Season One." This series possesses many wonderful qualities that appear to set it apart from Hercules and Zena and similar epics. Some of the uniqueness lies in the very ethereal quality present in the beautiful rain forest settings that play a very prominent role in almost every episode. This feature is sometimes juxtaposed against the human characters in very original and highly effective visual presentations. A wonderful example being the opening sequence to the episode "A simple truth" wherein a wolf is being pursued by a hunter who in turn is being pursued by Dar. There is a multitude of mini-shots of the three characters moving in unison toward a common destination in the heart of the rain forest setting. The combined effect of the photographic sequencing provides a stunning pictogram depicting the the show's essential theme of one man's struggle against another to save the animal kingdom.

The story lines encapsulate a wide variety of mythologies and legends from around the world; nymphs, minotaurs, chameleons, amazons, elves and unicorns are but a few examples of the characters used to illustrate the individual productions. These characters often come to life through a remarkable collection of highly entertaining, exotic personages. A prime example is Grace Jones' portrayal as a solo animal hunter in "The Umpatra." Displaying an innate sense of cunning and ferocious fighting spirit, both humans and immortals are on guard as she finally begins hand to hand combat with Dar. The eventual revelation of the Umpatra's erroneous perception and subsequent disclosure of the "truth" culminates with her own self imposed demise. This is a common lesson throughout the series as many of the "unenlightened" eventually gain a greater understanding and respect for the inherent balance between man and nature.

Another unusual quality is the slow, deliberate phrasing evident in the many heart to heart philosophical discussions, especially between Dar and those closest to him and also the Sorceress and the astute Ancient One. The unique phrasing combined with the slow and deliberate eye contact adds a sensual and highly effective edge to the communication between the characters who lived long ago in "an age when nature and magic ruled the world."

In every episode the viewer is presented with another example of Dar's untiring devotion and loyalty to the animals and their welfare. A devotion that is very effectively portrayed. Daniel Goddard plays the character as a somewhat more serious, intense Beastmaster than Marc Singer did in the original feature film and this new persona seems very effective and well suited for the television version. The actors' various styles are at times interestingly comparable because of Marc Singer's occasional guest appearances as Dartanus, Dar's spirit guide.

The show's simple but poignant message of good-will to earth's creatures, philosophical story lines and stunning photography make it a beautiful and uplifting television series.

I really enjoy this show. As an Environmental Studies major I enjoy the nature aspect of the show. The location is so beautiful and when the animals are used for a scene you can't help but smile because the animals work so well with the actors. Daniel Goddard and Jackson Raine are great actors who play their characters perfectly. If you are looking for a show to make you laugh and with enough action to satisfy you, this is it.