At the time of its release noted for mesmerising special effects and brutal combat scenes, this is an unbeatable retelling of the Arthurian legend. Everything is as it should be - the sword in the stone, the Lancelot/Guenivere love affair, the Quest for the Holy Grail and Merlin's dark magic. A must-see fantasy and holding up well.
Despite box-office failure, time has been kind to this fantasy about a dreaded fire-breathing dragon who is appeased by the occasional virgin sacrifice. It falls to an old wizard and his apprentice to break the cycle and save the next virgin in line. Terrific special effects place this one well above the 80s norm and worth a look.
The Sword & the Sorcerer D: Albert Pyun (1982) 99m
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About as clichéd as movies of this ilk get, an evil sorcerer and a brutal tyrant set out to conquer a peaceful kingdom. A princess enlists the aid of a mercenary with a three-bladed sword to set things right. So low-budget that during one fight scene a guard punches a rock wall and dents it. Still, a harmless time-waster if nothing better to do.
Legend D: Ridley Scott (1985) 114m
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A lukewarm reception from the critics at the time of release hasn't dimmed the brightness of this wonderful movie in the least. When the last unicorn suffers at the hands of Darkness, Jack (played by a young Tom Cruise) sets out to save the world and rescue a princess. Tim Curry is superb as evil incarnate. Underrated.
Ladyhawke D: Richard Donner (1985) 121m
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A dreadful 80s soundtrack hasn't stopped this inspired tale from becoming a genuine classic of the fantasy genre. An evil curse prevents two lovers (Michelle Pfeiffer & Rutger Hauer) from joining when one turns into a hawk at sunrise and the other a wolf at sunset. Matthew Broderick plays a young thief who comes to their aid.
Willow D: Ron Howard (1988) 130m
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A diminutive farmer with aspirations to be a sorcerer teams up with a great swordsman (Val Kilmer) to protect an infant princess from an evil queen. George Lucas penned the storyline and the production values are topnotch. Although there is nothing new or different here, Willow definitely stands out as a top pick from the 80s bunch.
Dungeons & Dragons D: Courtney Solomon (2000) 107m
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Ostensibly based on the hugely popular role-playing game, this is one of those films that is worth seeing just because it is so bad it's funny. After her father the emperor dies the young princess Savina inherits the throne and the powerful royal sceptre. The trouble starts when she decrees that all people should be equal.
The Lord Of the Rings D: Peter Jackson (2001-03) 558m
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Spectacular rendering of J R R Tolkien's landmark trilogy about a hobbit who undertakes a quest to destroy the One Ring of the Dark Lord in the Cracks of Doom. All three movies clock in at around three hours each and, as they were filmed at the same time, there is no loss of continuity between instalments. Absolute must-see.
