Deathstalker (1983)

What kid in the 1980s could turn away from this Boris Vallejo VHS cover art? Following the Conan the Barbarian gravy train, Roger Corman and many others started churning out cheap Sword & Sandal flicks and lining the video store shelves. This one had the added draw of starring Barbi Benton.

CHARACTERS

• Deathstalker (Rick Hill)
• Kaira (Lana Clarkson) warrior
• Princess Codille (Barbi Benton)
• King Tulak (Jorge Sorvik)
• Munkar (Bernard Erhard) evil sorcerer
• Toralva (Verónica Llinás) witch
• Salmaron (Augusto Larreta) imp
• Oghris (Richard Brooker) warrior
• Anella (Maria Fournery) peasant girl

RATING: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

REVIEW: Hell. Fucking. Yes. Every scene is like a Frazetta or Vallejos painting. Truly capturing the feel of those old adult fumettis and fantasy paperbacks. They could have gone the Beastmaster route and kept things rated G, but they made the wise move to embrace the sleaze - which is more in alignment with its source material (which was not necessarily family friendly). It does absolutely everything right in my book, but I can't quite give it a ten as some parts do go on too long and get repetitive. But damn near close to perfect.

DOUBLE FEATURE - Deathstalker (1983) and Deathstalker II (1987)

SYNOPSIS

A guy is about to rape a woman when he's overrun by creatures. The rapist is chased away, but the poor woman is now facing an even worse fate. The creature carries off the woman. The creature comes face to face with Deathstalker (Rick Hill) who shoots an arrow in its neck. Deathstalker rescues the maiden. Then pulls down her dress. Deathstalker is summoned to King Tulak (Jorge Sorvik) who has been dethroned by the evil sorcerer Munkar. His daughter, Princess Codille, is captive in his fortress. Tulak asks Deathstalker to rescue his daughter and restore his kingdom. Deathstalker says no.

Meanwhile at Munkar's evil kingdom. Princess Codille (Barbi Benton) has been thrown into Munkar's harem. Munkar (Bernard Erhard) is down with the sickness. He has great power thanks to the Amulet of Life and the Chalice of Magic. There is only one other magical item he needs - and that is a certain sword. [I love the sets in this film. Such attention to detail and creativity.] Deathstalker meets with Toralva (Verónica Llinás) the witch. The witch tells Deathstalker where to find the magic sword. In a cave, Deathstalker must battle an ogre. Defeating the ogre, the imp Salmaron grants Deathstalker the magic sword. Salmaron has been cursed to live out his days in this cave, and asks Deathstalker's help. Salmaron (Augusto Larreta) is restored to human form. Rescuing another maiden, Deathstalker teams up with Oghris (Richard Brooker). Oghris says he's going to Munkar's kingdom to fight in a warrior contest. Deathstalker agrees to participate, but he's really after to the other two objects of power within Munkar's possession. At night they are attacked by a cloaked figure. The figure turns out to be topless warrior named Kaira (Lana Clarkson). [Lana Clarkson was a goddess. Fuck Phil Spector.] Deathstalker beds down Kaira. Salmaron watches creepily.

Meanwhile, poor Codille is stuck fighting for scraps of food among the harem. Munkar learns that Deathstalker is on his way to participate in the tournament. A peasant girl named Anella (Maria Fournery) is being chased by Munkar's guards for placement in his harem. She's caught and a guard inspects the merchandise. Deathstalker, Salmaron, Oghris and Kaira arrive at Munkor's castle. At the castle all manner of debauchery is taking place - from mud wrestling to raping. A woman is thrown into the mud wrestling pit. Deathstalker and Kaira take a seat. All rise for Munkar. Munkar announces the warrior tournament prize. Little do they know, this competition is just a way for Munkar to rid the land of powerful warriors as they kill each other one by one to claim the prize. Oghris has paired up with Anella. Princess Codille is dragged into the chamber wearing nothing but a sheer robe. Kaira does not approve of her mistreatment. The pigman steps forward to rape Codille. The warriors battle over Codille. One warrior strips off Codille's garment. [God only knows how many young lads became a man back in the eighties watching this scene on VHS. You would be guaranteed that the tracking static would begin to show right here from legions of renters pausing each frame.] Kaira rushes to unchain Codille. When Kaira is overtaken, Deathstalker finishes the job. But Deathstalker is unable to rescue Codille as his exit is blocked by Munkar and his guards.Chaos resumes in the hall. Oghris takes Anella to a private bedchamber.

Munkar has a plan to get the sword from Deathstalker. He transforms his assistant into the likeness of Codille. Munkar sends his assistant to go kill Deathstalker and take the sword. The assistant is an idiot and immediately tries to stab Deathstalker. Deathstalker throws Codille (really the assistant) onto the bed to rape her. Deathstalker realizes it's not really Codille and lets her leave. The assistant, still in the likeness of Codille, runs from the room and bumps into Kaira. Believing she's the princess, Kaira offers to help her. Codille transforms back into Munkar's assistant and they battle. Kaira defeats him, but is fatally stabbed. She stumbles to Deathstalker. Kaira dies in his arms

The warrior tournament begins. It's a bloody contest. Deathstalker and Anella watch as Oghris is the champion for today's contest. Back at the castle, Salmaron accidentally falls into a pool in the harem room. Salmaron can't believe his good fortune. It's revealed that Oghris is a traitor. He was working for Munkar to lure Deathstalker to the warrior tournament. When Oghris tries to take his sword, Deathstalker kills him. The next day's tournament begins. This time Deathstalker is in the mix. Munkor watches as Deathstalker defeats all his opponents. Codelle, Salmaron and the harem girls overtake the guards. Deathstalker takes the Amulet of Life after defeating its guardian. Deathstalker next goes for the Chalice of Magic. He of course gets the chalice as well. Now that Deathstalker has all three magical items, Munkar is defeated. Deathstalker is now Master of the Universe. "I have the power!" THE END