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Hawk the Slayer

  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
Jack Palance, Bernard Bresslaw, Ray Charleson, Warren Clarke, Catriona MacColl, Patricia Quinn, William Morgan Sheppard, and John Terry in Hawk the Slayer (1980)
Watch Trailer [EN]
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
38 Photos
Sword & SorceryAdventureFantasy

With the aid of his companions, a man seeks to defeat his evil brother who has taken a nun hostage.With the aid of his companions, a man seeks to defeat his evil brother who has taken a nun hostage.With the aid of his companions, a man seeks to defeat his evil brother who has taken a nun hostage.

  • Director
    • Terry Marcel
  • Writers
    • Terry Marcel
    • Harry Robertson
  • Stars
    • Jack Palance
    • John Terry
    • Bernard Bresslaw
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    4.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Terry Marcel
    • Writers
      • Terry Marcel
      • Harry Robertson
    • Stars
      • Jack Palance
      • John Terry
      • Bernard Bresslaw
    • 126User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer [EN]
    Trailer 2:24
    Trailer [EN]

    Photos38

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    + 31
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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Jack Palance
    Jack Palance
    • Voltan
    John Terry
    John Terry
    • Hawk
    Bernard Bresslaw
    Bernard Bresslaw
    • Gort, Giant
    Ray Charleson
    Ray Charleson
    • Crow, Elf
    Peter O'Farrell
    Peter O'Farrell
    • Baldin, Dwarf
    William Morgan Sheppard
    William Morgan Sheppard
    • Ranulf
    • (as Morgan Sheppard)
    Patricia Quinn
    Patricia Quinn
    • Woman, Sorceress
    Cheryl Campbell
    Cheryl Campbell
    • Sister Monica
    Annette Crosbie
    Annette Crosbie
    • Abbess
    Catriona MacColl
    Catriona MacColl
    • Eliane
    Shane Briant
    Shane Briant
    • Drogo
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • High Abbot
    Christopher Benjamin
    Christopher Benjamin
    • Fitzwalter
    Roy Kinnear
    Roy Kinnear
    • Innkeeper
    Patrick Magee
    Patrick Magee
    • Priest
    Ferdy Mayne
    Ferdy Mayne
    • Old Man, Father of Hawk and Voltan
    Graham Stark
    Graham Stark
    • Sparrow
    Warren Clarke
    Warren Clarke
    • Scar
    • Director
      • Terry Marcel
    • Writers
      • Terry Marcel
      • Harry Robertson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews126

    5.34.4K
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    Featured reviews

    8mattcoulshed

    Legendary

    Some would say this film is one of the poorest ever made. They would be correct. However it is also one of the most amusing. Such classic moments as 'a bit falls off the set really obviously' and 'the baddies lair is a skanky old tent', and of course the cheesy sound effect/soundtrack make this a great movie, especially when drunk. To assist this, the Hawk the Slayer Unofficial Drinking Game is as follows: Drink when: Anyone says 'Hawk'; Anyone says 'Voltan'; Every time they show a picture for the backdrop instead of a real set; Every time they use the ridiculous electronic sound effect (first used at the start with the sword); Every time someone dies (can be limited to 3 drinks for a fight scene as its hard to keep count); Every time the crazy disco soundtrack starts up; Every time there are poor special effects; Every time there is a cheesy flashback Every time the top of the set is visible.

    Enjoy!
    bondjames

    I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

    This movie is a rare exception. After reading a lot of the reviews, I would have to say I agree with most of them. Yes, it does have bad acting, bad special effects, and bad directing but there is something about it (I can't quite put my finger on it) that makes it great!

    I watch this movie every time I know it is going to be on. I guess I like what it tried to do more than what it actually did. I would honestly like to see a sequel (although too late now) done to this. They hinted toward it at the end but I guess it never came to fruition.

    In summary, I would recommend seeing this movie. A rare film that is both great and bad at the same time.
    9grun577

    Nostalgia shows that your getting old...

    Hawk the Slayer, how can I put this without saying what so many have said before I, about this little gem of cinema. Well, Its a bit poor, the effects are very poor and the plot is, extremely poor (Not quite sure which order that is in!) But what I can say is, putting aside all my criticism about it and focusing on why I REALLY love this film, I will tell you.... About the first time I saw it, I was just getting into D&D and RPGs when I was a lad, and the lack of inspired cinema lacked films that mirrored the RPG experience, this one however does. It has all the elements of a basic D&D type session, all stereotyped and straight out of the pages of an old Fighting fantasy game book adventure. All those things that prevailed in mine and my friends D&D games at the time. We loved that film and still do to this day, so for me it represents a time long ago when we used to fight monsters and explore fantasy worlds. So in short, I don't care how bad the effects, acting or plot is, it will always remind me of those days....Ahhh happy memories
    crow1701

    Great B movie

    As you watch this film, you will more than likely sit back and say, "This is so silly." Remember this is an 80's film. I remember first watching this film as a teenager and saying it was so cool. Well many moons later, I can see the aweful special effects, and the obvious mistakes made. The interesting things about "B" movies is that if actors know they are in one; it comes through in their acting. With this film, they try to act as seriously as possible, which makes it more believable. For people with a poor budget, they did quite well. The score is still some of the coolest music ever. It sets the tone for the film, and encompasses Hawk's mysterious nature.

    As a regular film, it is aweful. As a "B" film, it does quite well. Cult classic.
    wdrr

    Fantastic Movie!

    This is one of those rare early 80's movies that I love. Everything about it is terrible and yet something about it is great!

    It has the feel of a Saturday "matinee" and is certainly an entertaining piece of work (although far from a masterpiece). Essentially, this movie is a guilty pleasure. If had to choose between it or "The Beastmaster", I would certainly take Hawk the Slayer.

    I recommend this movie as a must see! Although I am not blind and can certainly see all of the faults, I still love this movie.

    I even sampled sound bites from this movie and created a dance mix! (Not for commercial purposes... just for fun). If interested, check out the messages boards as I have posted a link to the sound file there.

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    Related interests

    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman, and Gerry Lopez in Conan the Barbarian (1982)
    Sword & Sorcery
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jack Palance was injured in a fight scene when John Terry's sword punctured his body. Palance didn't stop, and completed the take. Afterward, director Terry Marcel went over to see if Palance was all right. Palance cast any concerns aside, and continued with the shoot.
    • Goofs
      When Hawk the Slayer receives the magic sword from his father, his eyes are looking straight ahead in the close-ups and not at the blade on the ground.
    • Quotes

      Crow, Elf: We have sat waiting like this many times before. Sometimes I tire... of the fighting and killing. At night, I can hear the call of my race. They wait for me. When I join them, we will be forgotten.

    • Connections
      Featured in Clapper Board: Hawk the Slayer (1981)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1980 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Hüter des magischen Schwertes
    • Filming locations
      • Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, UK(on location)
    • Production companies
      • Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
      • Marcel/Robertson Productions Limited
      • Chips Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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