RETRO MOVIE REVIEW: THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS, 1984

THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS, 1984. Written, directed, and produced by John C. Broderick. Starring the legendary David Carradine (Kung Fu T.V. series, 1972-75 and DEATH RACE 2000, 1975) as Kain, the mighty swordsman.

At this point in cinematic history it“s probably impossible to know how many times Akira Kurosawa“s samurai masterpiece YOJIMBO, 1961, has been ripped-off, re-made, or re-imagined. The most popular re-makes are probably Sergio Leone“s western A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS, 1964, and Walter Hill“s prohibition era re-make LAST MAN STANDING, 1996. Although THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS my not be popular, I definitely think the film is a note-worthy re-make of YOJIMBO.

Produced during a time in the 1980s when sword and sorcery adventure films were the rage, this low-budget re-make takes a well-known formula and tries hard to make it feel original and I think the filmmakers succeeded in the process. The story at its core is the same as YOJIMBO. A lone, highly skilled swordsman wonders into a town governed by two rivaling clans. He continuously pits the two clans against each other by offering his sword to the highest bidder for various tasks. THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS pretty much follows the same story arch of YOJIMBO from beginning to end. Yet, the story components within the film deviate from YOJIMBO massively.

THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS is not the run-of-the-mill sword and sorcery film, it“s more of a science fiction fantasy adventure with a sword and sorcery setting. The film is set in no particular time; it could be the past, present, or future. The story takes place on the brutal landscape of the planet Ura, gloriously baked by two red-hot suns. The really cool exterior shots were filmed in Argentina, Ischigualasto Provincial Park, also known Valle de la Luna or “Valley of the Moon.”“ The landscape really has an otherworldly feel to it. The majority of the film was shot at Estudios Baires Film S.A. and Campo de Mayo, in Buenos Aires Province. The foreign environment really adds to the unique look of the film.

The story elements are shifted in a unique way as well; instead of two clan bosses battling it out over control of a dusty decrepit town, they fight over control of the village“s only water source, a centrally located well. Basically, those that control the well will survive. Added to the story is the existence of an enslaved sorceress (Argentinean beauty Maria Socas), who holds the key to a magic sword that Kain is destined to wield. Rounding out the story elements are creepy monsters, renegade slave traders, and four breasted exotic dancers.Â Fun stuff!

At a slim running time of 81 minutes, the film utilizes a tried and true formula with the added fun of sci-fi sword and sorcery, filled with action, beefcake, T & A, and witty dialogue. THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS has a really fun take on a familiar concept and, of course, David Carradine plays the role solidly, with his own style of panache.

THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS is fun 80s flick worth exploring, along with its classic predecessors.