Deathstalker (film)
| Deathstalker | |
|---|---|
Promotional film poster
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| Directed by | James Sbardellati (as John Watson) |
| Produced by |
Roger Corman (executive producer) James Sbardellati (producer) |
| Written by | Howard R. Cohen |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Óscar Cardozo Ocampo |
| Cinematography | Leonardo Rodríguez Solís |
| Edited by | John K. Adams Silvia Ripoll |
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Production
company |
Aries Cinematográfica Argentina
Palo Alto |
| Distributed by | New World Pictures |
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Release date
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September 2, 1983 |
|
Running time
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80 min. |
| Country | Argentina United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $457,000 (estimated) |
| Box office | $11,919,250 (USA) |
Deathstalker is a 1983 Argentine-American fantasy adventure film directed by James Sbardellati (credited as John Watson) and starring Rick Hill, Barbi Benton, Bernard Erhard and Lana Clarkson. It was the first in a series of four films about the Deathstalker character and his adventures, and the first of the nine movies that Roger Corman produced in Argentina during the 1980s.
The warrior Deathstalker is sent by a witch on a quest to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword, two of which are held by the wicked sorcerer Munkar (Bernard Erhard). Deathstalker finds the sword almost immediately, which has been hidden by the witch in a cave guarded by an ogre and an imp. The imp Salmaron reveals himself to be a thief cursed by the witch and aids Deathstalker in defeating the ogre. Deathstalker removes the curse from Salmaron and the thief agrees to accompany Deathstalker on his journey. Sword in hand, Deathstalker sets out to Munkar's castle to gain the remaining objects of power.
On his journey, Deathstalker learns of a tournament from Oghris (Richard Brooker), a charming warrior in midriff-baring armor. Munkar has invited warriors across the land to participate in contests until a winner is determined - the winner will inherit Munkar's kingdom. One night along the way to the tournament, the pair meet Kaira, a defiant female warrior (Lana Clarkson) who wears only a G-string and a cloak to conceal her large breasts. Later that night Deathstalker forcibly removes Kaira's skimpy outfit and has passionate sex with her. Salmaron looks on with amusement as Kaira's moans of pleasure echo through the night. Kaira joins the group on their journey the next morning.
Munkar reveals to his assistant that his true agenda is for the warriors to fight each other to the death until only a weakened survivor remains for Munkar to kill. This would remove all threats to his rule. Arriving at Munkar's castle, Deathstalker and the other participants gather in Munkar's banquet room the night before the tournament. The warriors are invited to get drunk and rape Munkar's harem slaves, including Princess Codille (Barbi Benton). Oghris connects with one slave girl while Kaira keeps Deathstalker to herself. Deathstalker rescues Princess Codille, briefly, but Munkar takes her back. Munkar transforms his assistant into the likeness of the Princess and sends him to kill the hero; when Deathstalker attempts to rape Codille, he discovers that the woman is not all "woman" and sends her away. Kaira finds the assassin; assuming she is the real Codille, she is tragically killed by the assassin in a sword fight after Munkar's disguise spell wears off.
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