Sword and sandal epics like Deathstalker had a very brief heyday, a bit like post-apocalyptic films.
And the similarities don’t end there.
Both genres came and went around roughly the same time; both at times look like they raided one another’s wardrobe/costume departments, favoring leather jerkins, wrist bands, fur, gladiatorial gear; both were frequently lensed in Italy; both feature single IPs that spurred a cottage industry of copycats (Conan the Barbarian and Mad Max) and both favored spare desert scene settings, with some exceptions; and both were fairly cheap to make and churn out.
While post-apocalyptic films concern themselves with how to reconstitute society in the absence of institutions and where to find sources of drinking water, the sword and sandal epics were often pure Joseph Campbell hero’s journey derivatives.
Here, the reluctant hero is the eponymous and muscled Deathstalker, who casually calls fools and heroes alike, “sheep.” This is before becoming conscripted to find the kidnapped daughter of a king and finding himself in a fight-to-the-death tournament a la Bloodsport (or more accurately, because of the scenery, Gymkata).
Deathstalker hangs out, beds women, consults with witches, rides around on horseback, saves damsels in distress – all the good stuff.
En route to the tournament, he meets up with Kaira (played by Wall of Sound Phil Spector victim Lana Clarkson), a swords-woman in her own right who fancies her chances at emerging victorious in the tourney.
The event is hosted and orchestrated by an evil sorcerer-kidnapper, Munkar, who’s also immortal, wears plush robes, has an extensive harem, and has a human finger-eating monster-pet throne-side. Yes, you read that right.
Munkar, the host with the most, accommodates the combatants in his sprawling castle, a setting which is full on bacchanalia and bar fighting.
Deathstalker is fun and genre heads will appreciate seeing a whole lot of Barbi Benton , much like they did in Hospital Massacre.
Deathstalker is all kinds of weird, with out-of-place attempted comedy. And it’s the first in a tetralogy. And for whatever reason, a fifth installment – and reboot – is in the works according to the latest reports.
*** (out of 5)
For more, listen to the Really Awful Movies podcast Deathstalker episode.