The Beastmaster [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]

Overview

This low-budget entry into the sword-and-sorcery cycle of the early '80s wasn't successful during its initial release, but has steadily built a strong cult following over the years. The Beastmaster tells the story of Dar (Marc Singer), the son of a king who was stolen from his mother's womb by a witch under the command of vicious sorcerer Maax (Rip Torn). A poor villager saves Dar from being sacrificed and raises him as his own son, teaching Dar how to fight and witnessing the boy's ability to telepathically communicate with animals. Their happiness is destroyed when their village is attacked by the evil Jun horde, a race of beast-like warriors controlled by Maax. Dar vows revenge and journeys to his father's former kingdom to destroy Maax. Along the way, he falls in love with gorgeous slave girl Kiri (Tanya Roberts) and teams up with former royal guard Seth (John Amos). Dar also uses his powers to enlist the aid of an eagle, a panther and two adorable ferrets named Kodo and Podo. Together, Dar and his unlikely but brave team square off with Maax in an impressive two-part finale that involves a swordfight on the side of a pyramid and a showdown with the Jun horde near a flaming moat. The resulting film was full of action and eccentric surprises, but failed to make an impression at a box office already glutted with fantasy films. However, The Beastmaster eventually became a serious cult favorite thanks to home video and extensive exposure on cable (it is the second most aired movie on TBS after Gone With the Wind). This enduring popularity led to two sequels and a syndicated television series chronicling the further adventures of Dar. ~ Donald Guarisco

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/2021
UPC:	0814456023083
Original Release:	1982
Rating:	PG
Source:	Vinegar Syndrome
Language:	English
Time:	1:58:00
Format:	Blu-ray
Sales rank:	8,763

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Marc Singer	Dar
Rip Torn	Maax
Tanya Roberts	Kiri
John Amos	Seth
Josh Milrad	Tal
Rod Loomis	Zed
Ben Hammer	Young Dar's father
Ralph Strait	Sacco
Billy Jacoby	Young Dar
Roi Loomis	King Zed
Janet DeMay	Witchwoman #1
Janet Jones	Witchwoman #3
Tony Epper	Jun Leader
Vanna Bonta	Zed's Wife
Paul Reynolds	Tils
Linda Smith	Kiri's Friend
Larry Randles	Death Guard Rider
Jeremy Whelan	Jun Priest
Hank Hooker	Jun Priest
Thomas Huff	Jun Priest
Hugh Armstrong	Jun Priest
Mike Kirton	Jun Priest
Gary McLarty	Jun Priest
Eddie Hice	Jun Priest
Billy Jayne	Young Dar
Lee Holdridge	Composer

Technical Credits

Don Coscarelli

Paul Pepperman

Nader Atassi	Executive Producer
Don Coscarelli	Director,Screenwriter
Paul Pepperman	Producer,Screenwriter
Sylvio Tabet	Producer,Executive Producer
Roger George	Special Effects
George Wilbur	Stunts
Henry Wills	Stunts,Stunts
Gary Jensen	Stunts
Gray Johnson	Stunts
Hank Calia	Stunts
Steve M. Boyum	Stunts
Frank De Marco	Special Effects
Erik Cord	Stunts
Bob Terhune	Stunts
Fred Lerner	Stunts
Chuck Picerni Jr.	Stunts
David Ellis	Stunts
Kerrie Cullen	Stunts
John Meier	Stunts
Gary Epper	Stunts
Mike McGaughy	Stunts
Bill Hart	Stunts
Bob Minor	Stunts
Frank Orsatti	Stunts
Buddy Van Horn	Stunts
Jon Conrad Pochron	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

Don Coscarelli's follow-up to his horror hit Phantasm lacks the polish and consistency to reach the epic heights it aspires to, but still has plenty to offer the cult film fanatic. The script often lacks coherence (just how does Maax's witch sneak into the king's chamber?) but moves at a breathless pace that delivers plenty of action and all the necessary ingredients of a good pulp adventure: a stoic hero, colorful sidekicks, a hissable villain, and plenty of cliff-hanging action sequences. The Beastmaster also benefits from an array of colorful performances. Marc Singer makes a likable unpretentious hero, John Amos provides solid support as the ever-stoic Seth, and Rip Torn delivers a thoroughly over-the-top interpretation of Maax that perfectly suits the pulpy material. The only weak performance comes from Tanya Roberts, who is fetching but a bit wooden as Kiri. Coscarelli directs the material with a solid eye for budget-priced spectacle and creates some often surprisingly spooky moments, the best being a unsettling night scene where Dar stumbles upon a lair of creepy bat-people. The special effects vary in quality, with the visual effects working quite nicely, but some of the makeup effects (most notably Maax's nose) looking a bit rubbery. However, the photography by regular Stanley Kubrick cinematographer John Alcott is quite stunning and Lee Holdridge's symphonic score lends the right touch of epic grandeur. All in all, The Beastmaster may seem a bit quaint and hastily crafted to modern eyes, but it remains a swashbuckling treat for anyone nostalgic for Hercules-styled pulp epics.

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