A movie blast from the past: The Archer (1981)

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

I stumbled across one of my favorite childhood fantasy movies on you-tube today.

The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire (1981), a movie I have looked in vain for, for at least a 15 years.

Besides a terribly short run on VHS it has never been released in America and unless I miss my guess many here may never have even heard of it. I figure if the studio that made it has not released it in a couple of decades its OK to watch it on you-tube.

Two small notes.
1: whoever posted it titled both part seven and eight, eight so I have put the links in order bellow.
2: this is apparently a European cut of the television movie pilot called the Archer & the Sorceress, almost the same except for about 5 minutes cut off the end that give the lead in for the possible sequel movie.

part-1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa8Tlel7BPw
part-2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OenGAICldb8&feature=related
part-3
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D17L_xRCvME&feature=related
part-4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGP76XOVxkw&feature=related
Part-5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENRjsHsB1Z0&feature=related
Part-6
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRXCWIanGTQ&feature=related
part-7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebuWQuosZ2A&feature=related
part-8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=91aOGhwjTe0&feature=related
part-9
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOhEoY3ONyw&feature=related
part-10
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Fbv33KGTM&feature=related

A small extra, I also found the 1950 version of "Cyrano De Bergerac" with Jose Ferrer is out of copyright and available at the Internet archive: www.archive.org/details/Cyrano_DeBergerac

If you love swashbuckling and have never seen this Academy Award winning version ( or heaven forfend ANY version ) of Cyrano you owe it to yourself to watch this classic.

[feldrik]

I remember...vaugly but I remember

[jongjungbu]

Never heard of this. But nice find. I'm a sucker for 80s fantasy flicks, no matter how cheesy or not cheesy. Exalt.

[machfront]

The movie deep-geek in me absolutely cannot resist this thread.

This movie is one of those grails of mine. I've never seen it. I remember seeing it in video stores throughout the VHS boom of my youth in the mid-80s, however. Why I never rented it is beyond my understanding.

Since I became a movie collector (around 1993), I've searched high and low for a copy of this movie.
You're right TKD, it's UK title is indeed The Archer & The Sorceress, and you're also right that after a single print run of the MCA tape, the movie has been out of print domestically ever since.
From what little I know, the "movie" is/was actually a pilot episode for a series that wasn't picked up and therefore no other episodes were filmed (so, no hope of digging more out from some warehouse somewhere...more's the pity).
Also, it's apparently the very first major film to feature a 100% synthesized score (which appeals to the synth fan/musician in me).

There's not a VHS or a PAL tape for sale at all on eBay right now. (actually, the UK PAL tapes seem to pop up more commonly than the US NTSC VHS ever does.
The cheapest copy going on Amazon right now is $99.95.
I keep hoping one of the DVD bootleg outfits I shop at online will begin carrying it, but nothing yet.
Perhaps someone's selling it on iOffer.....

Yes. There is. And another on eCrater.
www.ioffer.com/i/The-Archer-Fugitive-from-the-Empire-DVD--123805741
www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4894129

Well...I know what I'm buying this weekend. ;D

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Thank you for the exalt Jongjungbu! ;D

I must admit I have a soft spot in my heart for this movie & I tend to overlook it's faults, but it does a have a very "Gamer" feel about it.

When I was six years old & seeing this for the first time, I thought the Snake-Men were the coolest thing ever.

Now seeing them years ( LOTS of years! ) later I still think I like them more than Peter Jackson's version of Orcs. I mean they have useful weapons, decent armor and they actually fight well enough to be a threat. ;D

Machfront if you pick up the bootleg you'll have to give us a review, I never even thought to look for one.

[feldrik]

..."man and beast, angel and devil were the same"...
that sums up the concept behind any low fantasy sword a sorcerer story or game.

I would add in...nature and God were one...

[ProfGremlin]

Oct 24, 2009 1:52:51 GMT -5 Toad-Killer-Dog said:

I stumbled across one of my favorite childhood fantasy movies on you-tube today.

Thanks, TKD, I'll have to take a look at that. I've had an old '80's series on my mind for a couple of weeks now trying to remember the name and wouldn't you know it? It's simply Wizards and Warriors: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEoHek8IM0

I remember thinking that the show was so cool back then. I only wish I could dig up the actual episodes...

[jongjungbu]

Sadly, neither of those are on Netflix too. I was hoping since they have been putting a lot of old movies and tv series onto their instant, or at least if they had the DVD's. But they must be far too obscure. It's like that 1989 movie Second Sight starring Bronson Pinchot and John Larroquette. It's not on Netflix either. I know its cheesy but I liked it. But oh, they have Dark Crystal! But I want more!

EDIT: LOL So I've been asking for Second Sight for the longest time onto their DVD at least and hopefully their Instant. And what do you know, I look today and it's there. Okay, foot-in-mouth haha. IQ SR failed.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Oct 24, 2009 12:59:18 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

Oct 24, 2009 1:52:51 GMT -5 Toad-Killer-Dog said:

I stumbled across one of my favorite childhood fantasy movies on you-tube today.

Thanks, TKD, I'll have to take a look at that. I've had an old '80's series on my mind for a couple of weeks now trying to remember the name and wouldn't you know it? It's simply Wizards and Warriors: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEoHek8IM0

I remember thinking that the show was so cool back then. I only wish I could dig up the actual episodes...

I remember that series, don't feel to bad about the title, when I looked for it a couple of years ago I spent forever trying to figure out the title.

Finally I got ahold of a list of every fantasy tv series that appeared on American tv in the 80's and searched every title until I found the right one.

I almost banged my head on the table when I found it, in retrospect "Wizards and Warriors" should have jumped out at me. ;D

Jongjungbu I remember "Second Sight", John Larroquette always makes me smile and the parapsychologist's wife who was using Bronson Pinchot's character to scam the gambling rackets was a hoot ( I can't remember if it was sport or the ponies ).

[stonewolf]

Thanks Toad Killer Dog!

I had forgetten about this great gem of a film! I remember watching the movie on TV years ago (NBC Sunday Night movie...I think....I could be completely mistaken but please don't tell my wife...she still thinks I'm perfect )

I loved the character though...kind of a like Thundaar but with a bow, and the Sorceress companion had her own unique brand of magic ;D

I wonder if the Archer class in an old Dragon was based on this movie? Anyhow, this movie could be a great setting for T&T! Any takers?

[jongjungbu]

If I wasn't watching football, I would be glued to Youtube right now watching all those links. I have it bookmarked though.

[machfront]

Ah, Wizards & Warriors! Another fave of my childhood. I always loved how the blueish/purpleish sparks would fly when the two brothers had a sword-fight. ;D

It's also widely available in the bootleg market. All "airchecks", but...that's probably all we'll ever see. It's the only way it'll ever see the light of day again, I guarantee it.
I'll eat ten toads if it's ever given a legit release.

When I pick up the Archer DVD, I'll let you guys know how it is.

[sonofthor]

Unfortunately I couldn't get the youtube link to work. Is it anything like Hawk the Slayer?

[sonofthor]

Ahhh, I found it! I have no memory of this show, but I like it. The soundtrack reminds me of the music by Goblin!