A READER'S GUIDE TO FANTASY TV & FILMS

 

I've given myself much greatr lattitude here, including most fantasy films of the last 50 years. Though many aren't rechnically S&S they are were influential. In 1982, Conan was brought to the big screen in a so-so film featuring Arnold Schwartzenegger. The success of Conan the Barbarian spawned a plethora of bad S&S films. I will make no comment on individual films but state none was better than average and most were far less well-done after Ray Harryhausen's classics and until 1999's The Thirteenth Warrior. Since the release of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fantasy films have been improving again.

(Pre-Conan)

1924

1. The Thief of Bagdad - directed by Raoul Walsh - featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Charles Belcher.

1940

2. The Thief of Bagdad - produced by Alexander Korda, and directed by Michael Powell, Ludwig Berger, and Tim Whelan - featuring Conrad Veidt, Sabu and John Justin.

1958

3. Hercules - Directed by Pietro Francisici - featuring Steve Reeves, Sylvia Koscina

4. The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad - Directed by Nathan H. Juran/ produced by Charles H. Schneer/ Ray Harrryhausen - featuring Kerwin Mathews, Torin Thatcher, Kathyrn Grant.

1959

5. Hercules Unchained - Directed by Pietro Francisici - featuring Steve Reeves, Sylvia Koscina

1962

6. The Magic Sword - Directed by Bert I. Gordon - featuring Gary Lockwood, Basil Rathbone.

1963

7. Jason and the Argonauts - Directed by Don Chaffey/produced by Charles H. Schneer/ Ray Harrryhausen - featuring Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovak, Honor Blackman.

8. The Mighty Hercules (Animated) (1963) - Directed by Joseph Oriolo- featuring Jimmy Tapp, Gerry Bascombe - and that great Johnny nash theme song!

1974

9. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad - Directed by Gordon hessler/produced by Charles H. Schneer/ Ray Harrryhausen - featuring John Philip Law, Tom Baker, Caroline Munro.

1977

10. The Hobbit (Animated) - Produced by Rankin Bass - featuring John Huston, Orson Bean.

11. Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger - Directed by Sam Wanamaker/produced by Charles H. Schneer/ Ray Harrryhausen - featuring Patrick Wayne, Beverly Cross, Patrick Troughton.

12. Wizards - Produced and Directed by Ralph Bakshi.

1978

13. The Lord of the Rings - Produced and directed by Ralph Bakshi

1980

14. Hawk the Slayer - Directed by Terry Marcel -featuring Jack Palance.

15. Return of the King (Animated) - Produced by Rankin Bass.

16. Thundarr the Barbarian (Animated) (1980-1982) - Produced by Ruby-Spears Productions - featuring Adam Pockett.

1981


17. Archer: Fugitive From the Empire (Made for Television) Directed by Nick Corea–features George Kennedy

18. Clash of the Titans - Directed by Desmond Davis/produced by Charles H. Schneer/ Ray Harrryhausen - featuring Harry Hamlin, Burgess Meredith, Lawrence Olivier.

19. Dragonslayer - Directed by Matthews Robbins - featuring Peter MacNichol, Ralph Richardson.

20. Excalibur - Directed by John Boorman - featuring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson.

(Post-Conan)

1982


21. Conan the Barbarian Directed by John Milius–features Arnold Schwartzenegger, James Earl Jones, Mako and Sandahl Bergman

22. The Beast Master Directed by Don Coscarelli–features Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, John Amos and Rip Torn - loosely based on Andre Norton

23. Sorceress Directed by Brian Stuart

24. The Sword and the Sorcerer Directed by Albert Pyun–features Lee Horsley, Simon MacCorkindale and Richard Moll

1983


25. Ator: The Fighting Eagle Directed by David Hills–features Miles O’Keefe

26. Conquest - Directed by Lucio Fulci - featuring Jorge Rivero

27. Dungeons & Dragons (Animated) (1983-1985) - Produced by David H. DePatie - featuring Willie Ames and Donny Most

28. Fire and Ice (Animated) Directed by Ralph Bakshi–features Frank Frazetta art and characters

29. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Animated) (1983-1985) - Produced by Filmation.

30. Hercules Directed by Lewis Coates–features Lou Ferrigno

31. Wizards & Warriors - Directed by Bill Bixby. Short-lived TV show starring Jeff Conaway and Walter Olkewicz. Battle scenes were taken from Excalibur.

1984

32. Ator II: The Blade Master - Directed by Joe D'Amato - featuring Miles O'Keefe, Lisa Foster.


33. Conan the Destroyer Directed by Richard Fleischer–features Arnold Schwartenegger, Grace Jones and Wilt Chamberlain

34. Deathstalker Directed by John Watson–features Barbi Benton

35. The Warrior and the Sorceress Directed by John Broderick–features David Carradine

1985


36. Barbarian Queen Directed by Hector Olivera

37. Legend - Directed by Ridley Scott - featuring Tom Cruise, Tim Currey, Mia Sara.

38. Red Sonja Directed by Richard Fleischer–features Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwartenegger and Sandahl Bergman

39. She-Ra, Princess of Power (1985) - Produced by Filmation.

40. Wizards of the Lost Kingdom Directed by Hector Olivera–features Bo Svenson

1987


41. The Barbarians Directed by Ruggero Deodato

42. Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans Directed by Jim Wynorski

43. Gor Directed by Fritz Kiersch–features Jack Palance and Oliver Reed

44. Ator III: Iron Warrior Directed by Al Bradley–features Miles O’Keefe

45. Masters of the Universe (1987) - Directed by - featuring Dolph Lundgren, Frak Langella, Courtney Cox.

46. Outlaw of Gor Directed by John “Bud” Cardos–features Jack Palance

1988


47. Deathstalker III: The Warriors From Hell Directed by Alfonso Corona

48. Willow - Directed by Ron Howard - featuring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis.

1989


49. Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back Directed by Joe Finley.

50. Ator IV: Quest for the Mighty Sword Directed by Joe D'Amto - featuring Eric Allan Kramer.

51. The New Adventures of He-Man (Animated) (1989-1992)

52. Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II Directed by Charles B. Griffith–features David Carradine

1990


53. In the Time of Barbarians (aka Time Barbarians)Directed by Joseph L. Barmettler

1991


54. The Beast Master II: Through the Portal of Time Directed by Sylvio Tabet–features Marc Singer and Sarah Douglas

1992

55. Conan the Adventurer (Animated) (1992-1993) - produced by Jetlag Productions - featuring Michael Donovan, Scott McNeil.


56
. Deathstalker IV: Match of the Titans Directed by Howard R. Cohen

57. In the Time of Barbarians II Directed by Ricardo Jacques Gale

1993

58. Conan and the Young Warriors (1994) - Produved by Sunbow Entertainment- featuring Phil Hayes, mark Hildreth.

1995

59. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999) Produced by Sam Raimi

60. Slayers- The Movie (Animated) - Directed by Kazuo Yamazaki and Hiroshi Watanabe

61. Slayers (Animated (1995-1997) - Produced by E. G. Films.

62. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001) Produced by Sam Raimi

63. The Adventures of Sinbad (1996-1998) Produced by Ed Naha

1996

64. Dragonheart - Directed by Rob Cohen - featuring Sean Connery, Dennis Quaid.

1997

65. Conan the Adventurer (Live Action) (1997-1998) - Produced by Max Keller, featuring Ralf Moeller, Danny Woodburn.

66. Kull the Conqueror - directed by John Nicolella - featuring Kevin Sorbo, Tia Carrere, Thomas Ian Griffith.

1999

67. The Beastmaster: The Legend Continues (1999-2002) Episode List - featuting Daniel Goddard, Jackson Raine, Monika Schnarre

68. The Thirteenth Warrior - Directed by John McTiernan - featuring Antonio banderas, Omar Sharif, Vladamir Kulich. - based on the Michael Crictho novel The Eaters of the Dead.

2000

69. Dragonheart 2: A New Beginning - Directed by Dough Lefler - featuring Christophr masterson, Robby Benson.

70. Dungeons & Dragons - Directed by Courtney Solomon - featuring Jeremy Irons, Marlan Wayans and Justin Whalen.

2001

71. The Fellowship of the Ring - Directed by Peter Jackson - featuring Viggo Mortenson, Ian McKellan, Elijah Wood.

72. The Mists of Avalon - Directed by Uli Eidel and starring Angelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, Michael Vartan. Mini-series based on Marion Zimmer Bradley's bestseller.

2002

73. The Masters of the Universe Vs. The Snake-Men (Animated) (2002)

74. The Scorpion King - Directed by Chuck Russell - featuring The Rock, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bernard Hill.

75. The Two Towers - Directed by Peter Jackson - featuring Viggo Mortenson, Ian McKellan, Elijah Wood.

2003

76. The Return of the King - Directed by Peter Jackson - featuring Viggo Mortenson, Ian McKellan, Elijah Wood.

77. Sinbad, Legend of the Seven Seas (Animated) - Produced by Dreamworks SKG - featurign Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer.

2005

78. Beowulf & Grendel Directed by Sturla Gunnarson - featuring Gerard Butler, Stellan Skarsgard and Sarah Polley.

79. Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God - Directed by Gerry Lively - featuring Bruce Payne, Mark Dymond.

2006

80. Eragon - Directed by Stefen Fangmeier - featuring Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory.

 

81. Korgoth of Barbaria - created by Aaron Springer - pilot cartoon episode but no series to follow.

2007

82. Beowulf (animated) Directed by Robert Zemeckis- featuring Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Robrin Wright Penn and John Malkovich.

83. Pathfinder - Directed by Marcus Nispel - featuring Karl Urban, Russell Means, Clancy Brown.

2008

84. Legend of the Seeker - Produced by Sam Raimi -featuring Craig Horner, Bruce Spence, bridget Regan. - Based on Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series.

85. Merlin - produced by the BBC - featuring Colin Morgan, Richard Wilson.

86. The Scorpion King 2: The Rise of a Warrior - Directed by Russell Mulcahy - featuring Randy Couture, Michael Copon.

2009

87. Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire - six part spoof of Legend of the Seeker starring Sean Maquire, India deBeaufort, Matt Lucas with a small role by John Rhys Davies.

88. Solomon Kane - Directed by Michael J. Bassett - featuring James Purefoy, Jason Flemyng and Alice Krige.

2010

89. Clash of the Titans - Directed by Louis Leterrier, starring Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Liam Neeson and Ralph Finnes.

90. Conan the Barbarian - Directed by Marcus Nispel.

2011

91. Game of Thrones - starring Sean Bean, Lena Headley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Peter Dinklage. Dinklage won an emmy for his performance as Tyrion Lannister.