Deathstalker (film)
Encyclopedia
Deathstalker is a 1983 Argentine low-budget science fiction
fantasy film
adventure
directed by James Sbardellati.
On his journey, Deathstalker learns of a tournament from Oghris (Richard Brooker
), a charming warrior in midriff-baring armor. Munkar has invited warriors to participate in contests until a winner is determined, thereby inheriting Munkar's kingdom. Along the way to the tournament, the pair meet Kaira, a female warrior (Lana Clarkson
) who wears only a G-string and a cloak, who joins them on their journey.
Arriving at Munkar's castle, Deathstalker and the other tournament participants are invited to get drunk and rape Munkar's harem slaves, including Princess Codille (Barbi Benton
). Deathstalker rescues Princess Codille, briefly, but Munkar takes her back.
The tournament continues for several days, while Deathstalker searches for the other two artifacts at night. Eventually, nearly all of the other contestants have killed each other, and Deathstalker faces Munkar and defeats him.
films, the movie is noteworthy for launching the career of Lana Clarkson
, who became a recognizable cult celebrity in the genre. Clarkson would go on to work with executive producer Roger Corman
on the films Barbarian Queen
and Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back
, and guest star in an episode of the television show Black Scorpion
.
The video and DVD
versions of the film became a staple during the fledgling days of cable television
and video rentals.
Because the film was made on a tight budget, it proved to be a commercial success and encouraged Roger Corman
and Argentinian producer Hector Olivera
to collaborate again to produce Barbarian Queen
with Lana Clarkson
in the titular role.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
fantasy film
Fantasy film
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
adventure
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
directed by James Sbardellati.
Plot
The warrior Deathstalker is sent by a witch on a quest to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword, two of which are held by the wicked sorcerer Munkar. Deathstalker finds the sword almost immediately, which has been hidden by the witch in a cave. Sword in hand, Deathstalker sets out to Munkar's castle.On his journey, Deathstalker learns of a tournament from Oghris (Richard Brooker
Richard Brooker
Richard Brooker is an English stuntman, perhaps best known for his role in Friday the 13th Part III as Jason Voorhees.-Career:Brooker, a former trapeze artist from England, started his career in acting in a casting magazine, "Dramalogue"...
), a charming warrior in midriff-baring armor. Munkar has invited warriors to participate in contests until a winner is determined, thereby inheriting Munkar's kingdom. Along the way to the tournament, the pair meet Kaira, a female warrior (Lana Clarkson
Lana Clarkson
Lana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...
) who wears only a G-string and a cloak, who joins them on their journey.
Arriving at Munkar's castle, Deathstalker and the other tournament participants are invited to get drunk and rape Munkar's harem slaves, including Princess Codille (Barbi Benton
Barbi Benton
Barbi Benton is an American model, actress and singer.-Career:She was featured on the cover of Playboy several times and in nude photo layouts in the March 1970, December 1973, and January 1975 issues, although she was never one of the magazine's "Playmates of the Month".Benton is known for her...
). Deathstalker rescues Princess Codille, briefly, but Munkar takes her back.
The tournament continues for several days, while Deathstalker searches for the other two artifacts at night. Eventually, nearly all of the other contestants have killed each other, and Deathstalker faces Munkar and defeats him.
Cast
- Rick Hill as Deathstalker
- Barbi BentonBarbi BentonBarbi Benton is an American model, actress and singer.-Career:She was featured on the cover of Playboy several times and in nude photo layouts in the March 1970, December 1973, and January 1975 issues, although she was never one of the magazine's "Playmates of the Month".Benton is known for her...
as Codille - Richard BrookerRichard BrookerRichard Brooker is an English stuntman, perhaps best known for his role in Friday the 13th Part III as Jason Voorhees.-Career:Brooker, a former trapeze artist from England, started his career in acting in a casting magazine, "Dramalogue"...
as Oghris - Lana ClarksonLana ClarksonLana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...
as Kaira - Victor BoVictor BoVíctor Bo is an Argentine film actor and film producer, son of classic actor and director Armando Bo. He has since retired from acting....
as Kang - Bernard ErhardBernard ErhardBernard Erhard was an American voice actor.He worked primarily in children's cartoons. Among his roles were Cy-Kill in Challenge of the GoBots , King Morpheus in Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, and one of the wolves in Rover Dangerfield.-External links:...
as Munkar - August Larreta as Salmaron
- Lillian Ker as Toralva
- Marcos Woinsky as Gargit
- Adrian De Piero as Nicor
- George Sorvic as King Tulak
- Boy Olmi as Young Man
- Horace Marassi as Creature Leader
- Patrick Duggan as Colobri
- Maria Fournery as Anella
Response
A modest success due to its release at a time when Conan the Barbarian was creating a market for sword and sorcerySword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
films, the movie is noteworthy for launching the career of Lana Clarkson
Lana Clarkson
Lana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...
, who became a recognizable cult celebrity in the genre. Clarkson would go on to work with executive producer Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
on the films Barbarian Queen
Barbarian Queen
Barbarian Queen is a 1985 American-Argentine fantasy film directed by Héctor Olivera and written by Howard R. Cohen. The film premiered in December 1985 in the United States. It starred Lana Clarkson....
and Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back
Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back
Filmed in Mexico, Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back is a 1989 fantasy film directed by Joe Finley and written by Howard R. Cohen and Lance Smith. It starred Lana Clarkson in the titular role. It was billed as a sequel to the 1985 cult classic film Barbarian Queen, which also starred...
, and guest star in an episode of the television show Black Scorpion
Black Scorpion
Black Scorpion may refer to:*Scorpion, an animal of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida- Films and TV :*The Black Scorpion , a 1957 film about giant scorpions, with special effects by Willis O'Brien...
.
The video and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
versions of the film became a staple during the fledgling days of cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
and video rentals.
Because the film was made on a tight budget, it proved to be a commercial success and encouraged Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
and Argentinian producer Hector Olivera
Héctor Olivera
Héctor Olivera is a film director, producer and screenwriter.He works mainly in the cinema of Argentina, but has contributed to numerous films in the United States.-Biography:...
to collaborate again to produce Barbarian Queen
Barbarian Queen
Barbarian Queen is a 1985 American-Argentine fantasy film directed by Héctor Olivera and written by Howard R. Cohen. The film premiered in December 1985 in the United States. It starred Lana Clarkson....
with Lana Clarkson
Lana Clarkson
Lana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...
in the titular role.
External links
| Deathstalker Series |
|---|
| Deathstalker | Deathstalker II Deathstalker II Deathstalker: II Duel of the Titans is a 1987 Argentine low-budget sci-fi fantasy film adventure directed by Jim Wynorski.-Plot summary:... | Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell, also known as Deathstalker III: The Warriors from Hell, is a 1988 sword and sorcery fantasy film. It is the third film in the Deathstalker tetralogy.-Plot summary:... | Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans, is a 1991 sword and sorcery fantasy film. It is the fourth and final film in the Deathstalker tetralogy.-Plot:... |