The Sword and the Sorcerer is a 1982 film directed by Albert Pyun. It was produced by Robert S. Bremson, Brandon Chase and Marianne Chase. The screenplay was written by Albert Pyun, Tom Karnowski and John V. Stuckmeyer. The film stars Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis and Richard Lynch.
The storyline follows a mercenary, played by Lee Horsley, who armed with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage when he is recruited to help a princess foil the plans of a brutal tyrant and a powerful sorcerer in conquering a land.
When The Sword and the Sorcerer was released it received negative reviews. Variety magazine’s review criticised its lacklustre script, the non-too-talented performers and fast paced, “atrocity-a-minute” action scenes. The New York Times described it as “nonsensical” and “inept”. Roger Ebert gave it half a star out of four, describing it as “an Identikit movie” and one “that doesn’t care much about character”.
The Sword and the Sorcerer was made with an estimated production budget of $4m. In its opening weekend showing in the US it made $2,660,490 and grossed $39,103,425 in box office receipts. Despite the negative reviews the film was a huge financial success and became the most profitable independent film of 1982. Since its released The Sword and the Sorcerer has become a cult classic and is regarded as one of Albert Pyun’s best films.
Film Details
Title
The Sword and the Sorcerer
Year of Film
1982
Director
Albert Pyun
Starring
Lee Horsley, Shelley Taylor Morgan, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis, Richard Lynch, Richard Moll, Anthony De Longis, Robert Tessier, Nina Van Pallandt, Anna Bjorn, Jeff Corey, Joe Regalbuto, Christina Nigra, Earl Maynard, Russ Marin
Origin of Film
USA
Genre(s) of Film
Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Horror
Box Office
Budget: $4,000,000 (Estimated)
Opening Weekend: $2,660,490 (USA)
Gross: $39,103,425 (USA)
Poster Details
Type of Poster
Quad
Style of Poster
Final
Origin of Poster
UK
Year of Poster
1982
Designer
Brian Bysouth
Artist
Brian Bysouth
Size (Inches)
40″ x 30″
NSS # / Printer Markings
Printed in England by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Ltd Nottingham
Tagline
The greatest duel ever fought between deathless courage and endless evil!
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