Disney's Dragonslayer [DVD]

*Review of Dragonslayer DVD*I'll keep this simple. The aspect ration for this DVD is 2.35:1 Widescreen (do not be fooled by Amazon's mention of 16:9 in the description). What you will see on your TV when you play this DVD is a strip of movie across the middle of the screen with large bands at either side of the picture and bands above and below the picture. Unless you have a very very large TV you will struggle to watch this movie. I can't stress that enough.Essentially, you have just wasted your money on this DVD version of a good movie that deserves better treatment. Mercifully, it was fairly cheap. That's all I can say about this DVD. A waste of money.

I already had this on a Region 2 release some years back but the picture is a 4:3 ratio even though the film is in widescreen. So I ordered another copy on Region 1 and that is 16:9, just right to accommodate my TV. Anyhow, onto the film: I've always loved this film and feel it is well underappreciated. It's one of the best films of the fantasy genre, very dark for a PG rating, and still have, for me, possibly the best dragon on film. Deserves to be in anyone' s DVD collection.

Unavailable on blu ray, unavailable on Disney +, this dvd version has clearly been reluctantly released by the House of Mouse who have put zero effort and respect into this release in a valiant attempt to stop you buying it.Boasting...er...no extras and a woeful non-anamorphic transfer, Disney might as well add on the front cover: "Don't buy me!"The film was always a plodder with average to bad acting and anyone who watched it was only biding their time until the dragon came along at the end but even that effect now shows its age. Its not a bad film, but not a good one either and Disney knows it!

Dragonslayer - made long before CGI was invented - is one of the best Dragon-based fantasy films of all time and sets a benchmark for similar films. The acting is first-rate - there are quite a few character actors you will recognise from later films (look out for Star War's all-powerful Emperor getting an instant hairdo, dragon-style). The legendary Ralph Richardson is magnificently authentic as the aged sorcerer, Ulrich of Craggenmoor. Surprisingly well made for an 80s fantasy, the story is a simple though clever, and definitely not boring or predictable. Visually it is superb in terms of cinematography and the effects are good enough to carry it against the films of today. Filmed on the beautiful Isle of Skye it makes one wonder what Lord of the Rings would have been like if it was filmed in Britain. A wonderful, well-crafted 80s fantasy gem. It is well worth watching before you see part 3 of the Hobbit (who knows, you may even see some similarities). Highly recommnded.

...and not 1:85 ratio either. So Amazon have that little fact wrong...I love this movie and so can’t honestly write a critical review; but I can point out that this DVD was made for the old 4:3 ratio TVs. Yes, it is 2.35 widescreen, but not anamorphic, so it’ll sit in the middle of your nice flat, widescreen TV, and you’ll have to zoom in on it (if you have that facility), blowing up the image and losing detail. Shame... ☹️

Absolutely loved this one when I saw it in the cinema and was just a joy to have it on dvd. Decent storytelling with dragons and magician and a boo hissable villain. The one thing that impressed me the most was the special fxs, at no point did the Dragon look like a puppet, it was interesting to learn that they used a new technique of stop motion technology called Go motion which made the creature less jerky and more real. They don't make films like they used to. 10/10

This film was made well before Dragonheart Dragonheart: A New Beginning [DVD] [2000 ] where CGI had the Dragon talking with Sean Connory's voice and an incredible amount of effort was spent on getting the right reptilean "look". However, it doesn't matter. The careful way in which the Dragon reveals itself only towards the end of the film means that the suspense just rises. When the horrible beast does appear it is totally credible; there is a scene in which it moves through a cave tunnel with a totally believable, bat-like crawl.The whole film is shot is a dingy world where you can really believe that this is a dirty, muddy, smelly and violent place.If you are a fantasy fan this must have a place on your shelf

Peter MacNichol is my all time favourite actor. I was delighted when I saw this for sale and bought it without question. It came on time and very well packaged. Ive just got to watch the film now! Didn't want to post any spoilers...im sooo looking forward to seeing this.