Krull is a bit of a favourite for fantasy fans who may have seen it in the 1980s in the cinemas or on video. It mixes fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure in a way that was pretty fresh at the time—swords and sorcery meet space-age vibes.
If you haven’t seen it and you’re a fantasy, sci-fi fan, this 13-minute wrap-up from JoBlo Originals above is worth your time. To watch it, click the above play button to the left of the feature image.
Krull was made during a time that Hollywood studios were racing to cash in on the sci-fi craze sparked by Star Wars. Meanwhile, Conan the Barbarian revived the fantasy genre for mainstream audiences. Blend those two vibes, and you get Krull, which was directed by the prolific Peter Yates, who helmed over 20 films in his career that also included The Deep (1977) and Bullitt (1968).
The film stars Ken Marshall as Colwyn, a dashing prince wielding not only a sword but also a magical weapon called The Glaive. Colwyn sets off on a daring quest to rescue his kidnapped love (played by a dubbed Lysette Anthony), joined by a band of rogues—including young Liam Neeson and Robby Coltrane—battling a fearsome monster.
The score, composed by the brilliant James Horner, was memorable enough to help make Krull a classic, but it couldn’t save it from flopping at the box office. Despite that, it grew into a cult favourite. Today, fans share appreciation online, at conventions, and through merchandise, keeping the love alive.
