As you're looking for 'serious' movies, here's two made back whe Hollywood epics were in their heyday...
1) Ben Hur ...best chariot race --ever! Roman slave galley battle, a glimse into the bedouin culture as well.
2) Spartacus ..with Kirk Douglas. Gladiators & slaves defy the might of Rome itself.
Above someone nominated "El Cid" and "Ivanhoe" ...been a looong time since I've seen them, but they would be worth a look.
+1 to keep 13th Warrior on the list.
Robin Hood ..keep it as counting for just one slot--but ALL of the top 4 or 5 Robin Hood movies dating back to Errol Flynn. They all have something to offer.
Though with adventuring/gaming in mind, and for the less "serious" fun flicks these are my votes to be on the "must see" list ...and kudos to those above for mentioning 'em.
The Court Jester (1955) Danny Kaye
Army of Darkness
A Knights Tale ..for the jousting, not plot
Dragonheart
The Three Musketeers (1993) Sutherland, Platt, Curry, DeMornay
& the absolute must, Monty Python/Holy Grail
|
It's too bad animated stuff is off-limits, because I don't think I've ever watched anything that screamed "Dungeons and Dragons" like the "Record of Lodoss War" anime. The protagonists are a Knight, a Wizard, a Priest, a Thief, a Dwarf, and an Elf, who spend their days exploring ancient ruins and trying to thwart an evil empire...supposedly based off the writer's own tabletop RPG campaign, unsurprisingly.
Yeah, Lodoss War definitely is a must watch - if I recall, the setting was actually pitched to TSR, who turned it down...they they went on to make a whole new game based on the setting (not TSR, the creators), which is now, I believe, one of the biggest games in Japan.
Stardust is really good, too, or at least I liked it.
And don't forget the best Robin Hood movie...Robin Hood: Men In Tights! ^_-
13th Warrior was such a terrible movie... how is that still on the list?
Because it has the acting-legend and 1960s-1980s sex symbol that is Sven Wolter in it.
13th Warrior was such a terrible movie... how is that still on the list?
I thought The 13th Warrior was fantastic. Loved the discovery of the "dragon", the "eaters of the dead" and the trek through the caves. The viking chieftan and the red haired warrior were great too. I must have watched this movie 6 or 7 times.
Yeah, Lodoss War definitely is a must watch - if I recall, the setting was actually pitched to TSR, who turned it down...they they went on to make a whole new game based on the setting (not TSR, the creators), which is now, I believe, one of the biggest games in Japan.
Stardust is really good, too, or at least I liked it.
And don't forget the best Robin Hood movie...Robin Hood: Men In Tights! ^_-
Oh yea, Stardust! I love that movie. For some reason, it always felt like a spiritual successor to the Princess Bride...just got a feeling from it like that. Also, this probably might be more out there, but I love the Mirrormask movie a lot. It is too bad no animated movies...Lodoss War or the Heroic Legend of Arslan would be a good add.
|
OK, we seem to be getting closer to the "perfect" list :) Looks like Dragonslayer has beaten out Dragonheart. The 13th Warrior is still on the list for now, but should it be or not?
I moved the movies that are still in question to the bottom of the list - let's hear opinions and try to reach a consensus on 'em.
Conan the Barbarian
The Seven Samurai
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Excalibur
Legend
The Dark Crystal
7th Voyage of Sinbad
Gladiator
Troy
Willow
Braveheart
Kingdom of Heaven Director’s Cut
Dragonslayer
300
Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
The Princess Bride
King Arthur
Clash of the Titans Which one though – the original or the 2010 remake?
Robin Hood Which one though – the Kevin Cosner version or the 2010 remake?
The 13th Warrior So, does this belong on the list or not? Opinions???
I like the list either way, but in regards to robin hood, I would say neither. I thought the new one was pretty bad, even though I saw it for a 1.50, and the kevin costner one was a bit too light for me, plus kevin coster with his cali accent in medieval england just makes me wince.
Clash of the Titans- I say original, curly hair and all...the remake, while visually appealling, I heard was pretty bad, although I can't say for sure since I didn't see it. I would rather see Jason and the Argonauts instead.
Robin Hood Which one though – the Kevin Cosner version or the 2010 remake?
I haven't seen the Ridley Scott/Russel Crowe version, so I have to withhold my judgement on that. I would definitely not favor the Costner version. I'd go with Errol Flynn or Fox TV's version. Both are much better.
I would still question King Arthur on the list. I think there are been stronger films mentioned which would beat that out.
I would vote to keep 13th Warrior but remove King Arthur.
Also I have a question if we are exclusing comedic films wouldn't you need to remove Princess Bride? I agree Stardust is a fantastic film and needs to be on the list especially is we are including Princess Bride both are great films.
If we are not including movies with cheese factor then I would vote for the newer Clash of the Titans than the old version. I like both but the 80's was an era of cheese.
As far as Robin Hood goes I have not seen the most recetn movie but there is a great argument for the Errol Flynn Robin Hood I believe deserves the top billing.
Also since we are questioning some of the films Legend has never been my favorite Tom Cruise always leaves me feeling flat. Again I think there have been a fair amount of films which are stronger on the list than Legend or King Arthur. Ben Hur certianly comes to mind as a classic for that Roman feel chariot race. Just my 2 coppers.
I say yes to 13th Warrior, anachronism and all, and remove King Arthur. I would love to have Stardust on there, because like Gruumash says, it is very much like the Princess Bride; Errol Flynn beats everyone at Robin Hood, green tights and all; although I do have a massive soft spot for Legend :), Tom Cruise is flat as hell in there, but man I love that movie even then...
Stardust! Stardust! :)
Utterly hilarious...I need to buy that movie.
Don't make me start a slow clap...
|
|
I say yes to 13th Warrior, anachronism and all, and remove King Arthur.
I'm on the fence with King Arthur - anyone else have an opinion?
Also, I understand there is an unrated director's cut that is said to be a better movie (shades of Kingdome of Heaven perhaps?) Has anyone seen this director's cut version? Is it better?
|
I say yes to 13th Warrior, anachronism and all, and remove King Arthur.I'm on the fence with King Arthur - anyone else have an opinion?
Also, I understand there is an unrated director's cut that is said to be a better movie (shades of Kingdome of Heaven perhaps?) Has anyone seen this director's cut version? Is it better?
I like both 13th Warrior and King Arthur. It's worth noting that I have only ever seen the Director's Cut of the latter film.
I say yes to 13th Warrior, anachronism and all, and remove King Arthur.I'm on the fence with King Arthur - anyone else have an opinion?
Also, I understand there is an unrated director's cut that is said to be a better movie (shades of Kingdome of Heaven perhaps?) Has anyone seen this director's cut version? Is it better?
I'd get rid of King Arthur (bleah), and the new Clash of the Titans was pretty bad as well (with plot/story holes you could drive a Kraken through, bleah x2).
I'm going to say again if you have Conan on the list you should have The Sword and the Sorcerer. You can't exactly call Conan serious, he gets wasted and punches out a camel...
13th Warrior belongs on the list (we came, we saw, we kicked its...).
If you drop Brotherhood of the Wolf for being too recent (1760's) you should drop the pirates trilogy (1710-1720) as well.
Lodoss War reminds people of D&D, because like Dragonlance, it was actually someone's tabletop game.
Stardust wasn't as good as the book/comic. They ruined the awesome ending to make it hollywood. Give me back my no epic battle against the witch and her cold resignation to her fate. I did enjoy it alot, was just disappointed by made it more typical than the book, which had a more classic, older style.
|
well I saw both king arthur and 13th warrior when I was a kid, I don't really remember anything about king aurther, but I went out and found the DVD of 13th warrior as an adult because it stuck with me.
Stardust was a fun movie, I'd drop king arthur and add stardust. Arthurian legends are great and all, but I don't think there's ever been a movie that did it justice. And personally, I don't think we should disqualify humorous fantasy movies. Humor is a big part of the gaming experience, going so far as to have humor based campaigns, but even lacking a dedication to humor, lots of games inject it with strange characters in offbeat situations. Not to mention humorous fantasy is a big part of the culture. Look at your list, princess bride is on it already and many people are calling for stardust to be included (I'm one of them). Then look at great authors in the milieu, Terry Pratchett (which I own 27 of his discworld books), Robert Aspirin, etc. I think saying a movie is out because it's a comedy really only detracts from the good stories you can tell and play out in DnD that DO involve humor and fantasy.
|
|
Hmmm ... good point ...Also I have a question if we are exclusing comedic films wouldn't you need to remove Princess Bride?
OK, I think I've re-thought the funny movie thing a little. I still want to stay with mainly "serious" movies but I agree that The Princess Bride is obviously not a serious movie. And, as others have pointed out, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail is SUCH an iconic gamer movie, it really needs on the list.
So, I'm going to break the only serious movies rule in only 2 cases:
Princess Brides stays AND Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail is going to go on the list. Of course, that means something already on the list needs to come off to make room ...
|
|
I say yes to 13th Warrior, anachronism and all, and remove King Arthur.I'm on the fence with King Arthur - anyone else have an opinion?
Also, I understand there is an unrated director's cut that is said to be a better movie (shades of Kingdome of Heaven perhaps?) Has anyone seen this director's cut version? Is it better?
I'd get rid of King Arthur (bleah), and the new Clash of the Titans was pretty bad as well (with plot/story holes you could drive a Kraken through, bleah x2).
I'm going to say again if you have Conan on the list you should have The Sword and the Sorcerer. You can't exactly call Conan serious, he gets wasted and punches out a camel...
13th Warrior belongs on the list (we came, we saw, we kicked its...).
If you drop Brotherhood of the Wolf for being too recent (1760's) you should drop the pirates trilogy (1710-1720) as well.
I'm inclined to Keep The 13th Warrior for now at least ... at sounds like more people like it than don't. Yes, No?
We already talked about Brotherhood of the Wolf vs Pirates. While it is true that Pirates is a later time period than I'm looking for, they are just such great movies that we have to make an exception. Brotherhood might be good as well, but I'd like to make Pirates the only exception in this case.
I never saw The Sword and the Sorcerer but it has been mentioned more than once in this thread. What does everyone else think? Is The Sword and the Sorcerer a Great, Must Have the DVD, Classic Movie?
I think Brotherhood of the Wolf is one of the closest movies to a good D&D yarn as you can get. Monsters, mystery, cults, an actual monk-like character, plots to overthrow the king. The only redeeming quality to the Pirates movies, imo, was Johnny Depp and he wore thin on me after a while.
Not a fan of Excalibur (Why all the shouting?) or The Dark Crystal (pretty darn close to animation using puppets), or The Sword and the Sorceror (loved it as a kid, holds up terribly now). My vote is to trade in one or a few of them.
|
|
Not a fan of Excalibur (Why all the shouting?) or The Dark Crystal (pretty darn close to animation using puppets), or The Sword and the Sorceror (loved it as a kid, holds up terribly now). My vote is to trade in one or a few of them.
I'd agree with dropping The Dark Crystal or The Sword and the Sorcerer. The 80's era is already well represented on the list and IMO neither of these films holds up to the others presented.
As far as Sword and the Sorcerer goes; All I can say a three bladed sword that you can shoot the blades at your opponent? Come on how cool was that. Lee Horlsey (Matt Houston anyone) as the swashbuckling Talon and Richard Moll (yes from Night Court) As the evil Xusia it was an epic tale lots of battles, beautiful dames to save. You had magic, sword fighting and naked women. What else would a teenage boy want from a film.
The movie may not have the great acting but I thought the movie did not take itself that seriously and it was fun it was the 80's after all. I can certianly understand how others might not appreciate the films je ne sais qois it had. But again you have some filsm on the list mainly King Arthur and Legend which I don't think have the same aura about them as Sword and the Sorcerer. Well there is my 2 cents, and no I don't own any royalites in the film.
Now on 13th Warrior I think it has it's place on the list especially since I don't see anything else worthy of removing it.
Stardust should be on the list especially if Princess Bride is there.
I would also agree and disagree with Paul McCarthy Excalibur demands a spot on thsi list but I could also be talked into allowing Brotherhood of the Wolf on there too very stong film. But it is also not my rules or my list Marc seems to have spoken on that subject.
Oh and to throw two more films back into the ring for people to ponder.
I still think Flesh and Blood and Name of the Rose both need to be given serious thought both solid movies. Marc if you have not seen either of them a must to Netflix. While I really love Sword and the Sorcerer and think it deserves a spot Name of the Rose and Flesh & Blood really give tha tgritty feeling of the time periods I have used many themes from those films in my own campaigns.
|
|
Speaking of King Arthur, the guy who played Tristam in that movie -- stoic swordsman with the hawk -- is an otherworldly, one-eyed, mute slave/pit-fighter in the movie Valhalla Rising.
It's a good-looking movie and worth watching if you are into Viking stuff. The plot, or lack thereof, kept it from getting a wide release. I just caught it on Pay Per View.
|
|
Hmmm ... good point ...Also I have a question if we are exclusing comedic films wouldn't you need to remove Princess Bride?
OK, I think I've re-thought the funny movie thing a little. I still want to stay with mainly "serious" movies but I agree that The Princess Bride is obviously not a serious movie. And, as others have pointed out, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail is SUCH an iconic gamer movie, it really needs on the list.
So, I'm going to break the only serious movies rule in only 2 cases:
Princess Brides stays AND Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail is going to go on the list. Of course, that means something already on the list needs to come off to make room ...
Sorry for this being off point, but been trying to get in touch with you Marc, your email changed. :-(. You still in South Central PA? If you are, can you email me at tigger1tom at yahoo dot com. Thanks
Not having Ninja Scroll, even if anime, on the list is just plain wrong. That totally rocked, but maybe not to kid friendly, but is totally a gamer movie and so much like a typical adventure.
Shogun Assassin; sometimes called Lone Wolf and Cub; the one that came out in the '80's; with the defrocked master samuri pushing around his kid in that cart; that is totally awesome. This is not anime and has many imitations; get the right one; its awesome; maybe not to kid friendly.
you dont have many that have much humor in them; like The Barbarian Brothers or the Corsican Brothers.
+1 for 13th warrior; well written movie using much thematic ideals of the time. and +1 for Dragonslayer; still a great movie; just showed it to my kids.
Your list looks pretty good, but Ivanhoe is a must have and anyone without El Cid should ....have thier dice taken away. Ben Hur and Sparticus are no brainers for classic movies as is Masada; which is excellent as a period piece. Sure, Masada start out in the modern era; but is a retelling of the story of the might of Rome and their engineering prowess and a great period piece.
yeah; that would be on my list. Is a gamer iconic movie with quotes that never quit.
|
|
+1 for 13th warrior. The death prayer alone would make it worthy.
+1 also for the Name of the Rose (especially since I once played an inquisitive and resaoning friar based on William of Baskerville).
I would also like to add The Vikings (with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis). An oldie but real goldie.
A knight's tale could be there too.
The Long Ships - with Richard Widmark and Sydney Poitier
Throne of Blood - Akira Kurosawa'a Macbeth
Quo Vadis
El Cid - Chuck Heston as Spains liberator during the Moorish period
Pathfinder- Not the best movie around but has some true fantasy moments
The Conqueror - Chuck Heston movie where he is a Norman Knight
The Name of the Rose
Deathstalker Movies... B movies but a cpl of them aren't too bad, particularly the one with David Carradine
300 Spartans the original
Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
Sword of the Valiant... the tale of sir Gawain and the Green Knight... Sean Connery is the Green Knight
Conan the Barbarian
The Seven Samurai
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Excalibur
Legend
The Dark Crystal
7th Voyage of Sinbad
Gladiator
Troy
Willow
Braveheart
Kingdom of Heaven Director’s Cut
Dragonslayer
300
Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
The Princess Bride
King Arthur
Clash of the Titans Which one though – the original or the 2010 remake?
Robin Hood Which one though – the Kevin Cosner version or the 2010 remake?
The 13th Warrior So, does this belong on the list or not? Opinions???
13th warrior fits in. Better Beowulf story than, well Beowulf...
I agree with the fact that Brotherhood of the Wolf is in the same category as the Pirate series. Whether it has a place among the top 20 is one question, but either they should both be eligible or both disqualified. I'd put Princess Bride in the same boat; less guns but definitively post medieval.
Keep the Dark Cristal in, unless you disqualify it for its lack of human actors appearing as humans. Otherwise, its definitely a must see fantasy offering many things that none of the other movies have to offer.
'findel
I'm so disappointed......nobody's mentioned Wolfhound yet? That movie's better than half the films on that list!
|
|
I'm so disappointed......nobody's mentioned Wolfhound yet? That movie's better than half the films on that list!
While I'd count it as only better than two or three of the movies on that list, I'd gladly include it in a list of good fantasy movies, yet I wouldn't consider it essential, which was the point of this list (I wouldn't include a few of the other mentioned movies either, but it's Marcs list, he just considers our suggestions...)
I'd throw these in for consideration, despite some being series or min-series rather than regular films:
Rob Roy (I challenge you to watch this and not hate Tim Roth)
Centurion (a newly released period piece, well-worth a look)
Merlin (the Sam Neil, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Short version)
Rome (There has never been a better characterization of an ancient world warrior than Titus Pullo)
Conan the Barbarian
The Seven Samurai
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Clash of the Titans Which one though – the original or the 2010 remake?
Excalibur
Legend
The Dark Crystal
7th Voyage of Sinbad
The 13th Warrior
Gladiator
Troy
Willow
Braveheart
Kingdom of Heaven Director’s Cut
Dragonslayer OR Dragonheart Which one most deserves to be in this slot?
300
Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
Robin Hood Which one though – the Kevin Cosner version or the 2010 remake?
The Princess Bride
King Arthur
I would drop King Arthur, you already have Excalibur which is a far better rendition of the story.
I would also drop Troy, If they actually made the war last 10 years instead of 3 days I would keep it on the list.
My vote would be for Dragonslayer over Dragonheart. Much better story, alot cooler dragon.
As for Robin Hood, I would get the Errol Flynn version.
+1 for 13th Warrior, nicely written story.
Other iconic movies to consider...
Kull the Conqueror, fun fantasy story.
The Sword and the Sorcerer, a definate classic.
Pathfinder, Solid action, decent plot.
Flesh and Blood, w/ Rutgar Hauer excellent movie.
Some admittedly weird suggestions:
D&D Wrath of the Dragon God--bears no connections (thankfully) to the original D&D movie, and was made on a typical Sci-fi channel budget (i.e. almost none) But it is the most genuine to D&D movie made and pleasant to watch. You actually see (if you look real quick) the wizard preparing her spells, the rogue disarming and finding traps, a cleric rebuking the undead, and the Barbarian raging...it even had the ring of the ram! It had decent acting (not much scene chewing)although not LOTR material.
Star Wars--and by that I mean the original movie. Yea, it had sci-fi elements but come on: a knight rescues a princess from a fortress. The fortress is protected by an evil sorcerer (remember the quote about Vader's "Sorcerous ways"?)and they are befriended by scoundrels and monsters (wookies) Lets face it, in many way SW is responsible for relaunching a LOT of intrest in sword & sorcery because everyone could see where it came from.
I'm so disappointed......nobody's mentioned Wolfhound yet? That movie's better than half the films on that list!
*cough* *Looks up five posts earlier*
Kull the Conqueror, fun fantasy story.
Each to his own I guess. Personally I can't stand Kevin, which is disappointing because I may never be able to see the sequel to The Sword and The Sorcerer.
Pathfinder, Solid action, decent plot.
My problem with Pathfinder is that I am kind of sick of movies that are, "Only a white man can save natives from other white men." I would have much prefered something along the lines of a picture of a viking warrior, "They were the most feared warriors in all of Europe." Then show a mohawk (or some other tribe, but mohawks are so cool looking) indian jumping out with a spear or other weapons, "But this isn't Europe!" Leave the white hero out of the story and have the indians kick the Vikings' arses.
D&D Wrath of the Dragon God--bears no connections (thankfully) to the original D&D movie,
Actually, sorry to Nitpick but it does indeed share a connection to the first D&D movie, reprising a charcter and plot thread from the first one. Thankfully it uses them in a much better way and doesn't fully embrace the connections. Otherwise your take on the movie is spot on.
Man, we've got some great taste.
|
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
|
D&D Wrath of the Dragon God--bears no connections (thankfully) to the original D&D movie,Actually, sorry to Nitpick but it does indeed share a connection to the first D&D movie, reprising a charcter and plot thread from the first one. Thankfully it uses them in a much better way and doesn't fully embrace the connections. Otherwise your take on the movie is spot on.
I'd also add, it's a great deal funnier with Jozan, Krusk, and Lidda's commentary. :-)