Monster of the Day #121

Updated on October 26, 2010 By Ken Begg 15 Comments


Probably still the best such beastie the movies ever gave us.  A surprisingly nasty film for a Disney release back in the day, with the nudity and some genuinely unsettling violence.  I should run this down; I haven’t seen it since it was in theaters.

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  • The Rev.

    I wish the movie itself had been more worthy of this beastie. It’s not a terribly bad movie (it’s better than Krull, for instance…hey, there’s a MotD candidate), but I recall it draggin’ in parts, although other parts were quite fantastic.

    I have nothing but praise for the monster, though.

  • BeckoningChasm

    I remember Ralph Richardson was in it, that’s about all I can remember, though.

  • John Campbell

    I saw this in the theater when it came out.

    I remember the beastie being fearsome indeed.

    I consider it a great movie taken as is.

    I always loved the sound the dragon made before breathing fire. Similar sounds can be heard in “Backdraft” before the backdraft occurs.

    Ken you are the mastah!

  • David Fullam

    Still the best dragon movie ever.

  • Gamera

    Yeah a little slow in spots but I love this movie. Great dragon and the hero is a geeky wizard instead of some jock type knight.

    Though I have to point out that with two legs and wings in Dungeons and Dragons terms she’s a wyvern not a dragon ;)

  • Heraldicly, it’s a dragon because it’s not bipedal (doesn’t walk on the hind legs) and doesn’t have a sting in its tail.

    Also note that northern European dragons in the old days didn’t even have legs (and regenerated from damage). D&D can’t get anything right.

  • If only Peter Jackson can make Smaug look this badass in ‘The Hobbit’ (whenever that finally gets made!)

  • Rock Baker

    Still haven’t seen it. Can’t comment. Pop thought it was a bit rough when it came out, that’s all I really know.

    I do believe Dragonslayer was the film that finally sealed the deal to bring about the rating of PG-13.

    This is off topic, but I thought I’d share it with you. I know this isn’t the time of gift-giving, but here’s a present for all my friends out there:
    http://pencilbrushblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-halloween.html

    Happy Halloween, gang!

  • Gamera

    Well, I’m the last person to argue with Sandy, she’s close enough to a dragon for me in any case.

    Love the drawing Rock!

  • BeckoningChasm

    Nice drawing, Rock, tho it’s a bit odd that she’s kneeling like that…unless the kid were much younger. Still, nice and retro!

  • Rock Baker

    Thanks! I’m glad you like it!

    (Asthetics often trump logic. I started to sketch her standing at the door, but it wasn’t as pleasing to the eye. I’m not usually a fan of my own work, but I have to say I was happy with how this one came out!)

    (There’s more of my stuff there if you’re interested. What I like most about Jeff’s blog is that he usually posts the pencils and the inks, you can really see how much things change from step to step!)

  • BeckoningChasm

    Yeah, aesthetics vs. logic – I’ve had those battles. “Okay, I’ll make the reporter a midget. Also, that’s why he’s blackmailing Spiderman – it’s because he’s a little short!” Ha ha ha, too late to redraw it now…

  • Petoht

    Hey! I liked Krull! Quite a bit, actually. Quit looking at me like that.

    Anyway, Vermithrax Pejorative is possibly the best dragon ever made for film. Even with the limitations of the technology at the time (pause the scene in the lake of fire and you can see the seams), she’s a work of art. Both the practicals (using flamethrowers for her breath) and the in-story information (she’s an old, dying dragon in near-constant pain) is just amazing.

    Frankly, I think the movie kind of got a short shrift, especially since it’s more about political corruption and the rise of Christianity than anything.

  • The Rev.

    I cannot believe Ken didn’t pop in here to boo my first post. He’s slipping.

    Although the critters in Reign of Fire were nicely done (the nighttime appearance of the male over the tank bridage was a truly wonderful moment), and I have a special fondness for the two-headed one in The Magic Sword, I’m pretty much forced to agree that this is still the reigning queen of cinematic dragons. Definitely the best-named one.

  • Rock Baker

    Aesthetics, yes, I really wish this thing had a spell checker!