Deathstalker (1983)

“Heroes and fools are the same thing.” 10 April 2020

The plot to Deathstalker is straight out of the 80s sword & sorcerer playbook - A reluctant hero goes on a mission to save the land from an evil tyrant.  If he gains possession of three magical items, he’ll get the power he needs to succeed.  

In 1983, I was 18.  Back then, you could count on either a new horror movie or a new sword & sorcerer movie opening every weekend at the local multiplex.  The horror movies were usually cheap knock-offs of Halloween or Friday the 13th. And the sword & sorcerer movies were pale imitations of Conan.  I remember seeing Deathstalker in 83. Until last night, I couldn’t remember much about the movie (other than the scene where the pig-headed warrior eats the pig), but I’m pretty sure I loved it.  I’m almost embarrassed to admit that. Either, time has not been kind to Deathstalker, or my tastes have grown as I’ve aged.

Instead of the fun adventure-filled movie I remember, the Deathstalker I re-watched was pretty bad and boring.  The plot (at least what there is of it) is predictable, the acting is abysmal, the special effects are laughable, and the fight scenes are unoriginal.  But what bothered me the most (and I can’t believe I’m about to write this) was the misogyny of the whole thing. The treatment of women really bothered me.  There’s a rape scene around every corner - even involving the film’s supposed hero. Don’t misunderstand - I don’t consider myself a purde. There’s plenty of nudity and sex in a movie like The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (which I watched just a couple of nights ago), but at least there, the women appear to be willing participants.  

I think I may give up on revisiting these 80s sword & sorcerer movies.  Everytime, I seem to end up disappointed.  

3/10