WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Dragonslayer
Genre:Fantasy Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 14 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke, Ralph Richardson.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 4.5
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Video
(Catalog Number): LV1367-WS
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $$39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 110
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1981
(LD Release Date): 4/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Matthew Robbins
(Screenplay/Written By): Hal Barwood & Matthew Robbins
(Story): NA
(Music): Alex North
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Elliot Scott
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Tony Lawson
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Howard W. Koch
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Hal Barwood

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.30:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Dragonslayer is a tale of magic told in the far-off times when dragons were alive and threatening. The village maidens are being sacrificed to appease the fire-breathing monster and their only hope is the aged sorcerer, played by Sir Ralph Richardson who is struck down and killed as he begins his journey to the ill-fated village. His young apprentice Galen (Peter MacNicol), is determined to carry on in his place. With his magic amulet and a deadly dragonslayer weapon he comes face to face with the dragon. But is the magic strong enough to save him and the village and destroy the dragon?

LaserDisc Picture:
The Panavision® scope frame is presented at 2.30:1 The picture is sharp and detailed with some slight grain and noise. Fleshtones are natural, blacks are deep and shadow detail is excellent.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack was produced in Vistasonic Sound®, which used four optical tracks rather than Dolby’s two which made the sound discrete. However, no noise reduction was used. Vistasonic prints were limited and the film was released wide in Dolby A, most in optical mono. This disc has the Dolby matrix version which is actually quite satisfying with an effective sense of envelopment and dynamics.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: