PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Hi there! I am about to wage yet another semi-defense of a movie that some people hate. Won’t you join me? This time I am, of course, discussing the movie Krull, a British-American science fantasy film released in 1983. It was directed by Peter Yates and written by Stanford Sherman, and it combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and adventure, making it a cult classic among fans of the genre. Of course, again, some people think it sucks and, yes, it doesn’t help its image that it was a box office bomb.
Plot Summary: The Beast Rises!
The story is set in the fictional world of Krull, which is under attack by an uncreatively titled, evil entity known as “The Beast” and his army of alien creatures called “Slayers.” Yes, they slay, and yes, if you kill them (which often seems pretty easy), their faces open up and some slug-like creatures emerge from them and somehow burrow into the ground, or even into the floor. See? That’s not such a bad thing, isn’t it? Don’t you wish you could do that instead of just dying normally? So I think Krull deserves a smidgen of creative credit already, right? Burrowing slugs! Well, goddamn.
Anyway, The Beast has invaded Krull to conquer its people and absorb their souls, leaving devastation in his wake. Well, wouldn’t you do that if you were called “The Beast?” I mean, what the fuck else are you going to do? Sit around watching TV? Know, you’re going to get out there and Beast it up a bit, right? Right! So now you know how The Beast does his business, and he often does it well enough, hence an epic adventure of sorts for the human scum that he’s understandably trying to dominate, control, and murder…oops! Did I say “understandably,” thus giving away some dark allegiances? Son of a bitch! I meant to say The Beast is bad. Very bad. The scoundrel!
Plot Summary Part 2: To Krull or Not to Krull? That is the Question (OR: “Krull Explained For NumbKrulls“)
Prince Colwyn (played by Ken Marshall) is the young heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Krull. To save his kingdom and his love, Princess Lyssa (played by Lysette Anthony), he embarks on a perilous quest to find the legendary weapon called the “Glaive” (sometimes also spelled “Glave”). The Glaive is a powerful five-pointed throwing star that (theoretically) can defeat The Beast and his minions.
As Prince Colwyn ventures on his journey, he gathers a group of diverse companions to aid him, including the wise man named Ynyr (played by Freddie Jones), a band of outlaws led by Torquil (played by Alun Armstrong), Rell the Cyclops (Bernard Bresslaw), and a shape-shifting magician called Ergo “The Magnificent” (played by David Battley, who appeared in the original Willy Wonka film and also played “Harry Bentley” on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons).
Together, the group faces numerous challenges and battles their way through treacherous landscapes to reach The Black Fortress, The Beast’s impregnable fortress that teleports across the planet at will. They must rescue the fiery redhead Princess Lyssa, who has been taken captive by The Beast and held hostage inside the fortress. “Krull” received mixed reviews upon its release, but it has gained a dedicated fan base over the years due to its imaginative world-building, practical special effects, and nostalgic appeal for fans of ’80s fantasy films. The movie’s blend of medieval fantasy with science fiction elements, along with the inclusion of a mystical weapon, adds a unique flavor to its narrative…or something like that
Final Thoughts
While Krull didn’t achieve massive commercial success, it remains a beloved cult classic for some fans of fantasy and science fiction. Those who embrace it believe it stands the test of time as an iconic ’80s adventure film. My thoughts? “Krull” isn’t as bad as some say, but my interest in the movie stems somewhat from nostalgia feelings. I had seen it on TV more than once as a kid and, yes, I actually kinda liked it.
In my child-like innocence, I wasn’t wearing the hyper-critical “I wanna piss all over everything” cap that’s so often fashionable. I just saw it was a fun action flick with weird moments. Really, I think that’s how you can better appreciate any movie like this, too. In preparation for this retro piece, I decided to listen to a negative podcast review of the movie.
Even though I could see where some of their arguments come from, I think a lot of the critiques can be shrugged off pretty easily. That same podcast (which shall remain unnamed) also really made clear disdain for Willow, which sort of indicates where their head is at (Willow actually is a better-quality fantasy adventure). I’m not mad at critics, but they won’t stop me from me eventually deciding to Krull it up in the future. Who cares?! A glaive on its way keeps The Beast in dismay!
Oh yeah, and the movie also features Liam Neeson, horses that run so fast their hooves are fiery, and also a freaky killer spider. So there is that.
What are your thoughts on Krull? Let us know in the comments!
