Krull (1983)

Krull is a 1983 heroic fantasy film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Ron Silverman. Released by Columbia Pictures, it stars Ken Marshall as Prince Colwyn and Lysette Anthony as Princess Lyssa. The film's most distinguished features include a robust score by James Horner, its early screen roles for actors Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane, and its surrealistic set design within the Black Fortress. It opened to mixed reviews but later would become a cult classic due to its visual work and reinterpretation of Star Wars.

The planet Krull is invaded by an evil, omnipotent entity known as "The Beast" and his army of Slayers, who travel the galaxy in a mountain-like spaceship, called Black Fortress. Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) and Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony; dubbed by Lindsay Crouse) marry and form an alliance between their rival kingdoms in the hope that, together, their combined forces can defeat the Beast's army. A prophesy foretells that Lyssa would bear a child destined to rule the galaxy. The Beast, intent on ensuring the prophecy comes true, has his Slayers attack the wedding. The castle of Lyssa's father, King Eirig (Bernard Archard), is destroyed and the Kings are murdered. The kingdoms' armies are devastated and the princess is kidnapped. Colwyn, the only survivor, sets out to rescue his bride under the guidance of Ynyr the Old One (Freddie Jones). He must first find the Glaive, an ancient, magical star-shaped weapon, which he retrieves in a high mountain cave. Next, he must track down the Black Fortress, which teleports to a new location every day at sunrise. He is joined by a powerful, but awkward shapeshifting magician, Ergo "the Magnificent" (David Battley), the cyclops Rell (Bernard Bresslaw) and Torquil (Alun Armstrong), the leader of a band of ten fugitives that includes Kegan (Liam Neeson), Rhun (Robbie Coltrane; dubbed by Michael Elphick) and Oswyn (Todd Carty). Colwyn enlists the convicts' aid and in return offers them their freedom as their reward. Colwyn and Ynyr get help from blind prophet the Emerald Seer (John Welsh), and his young apprentice Titch (Graham McGrath), to find the Black Fortress. However, the Beast has the seer killed before he can tell them. With time running short, Ynyr journeys to the Widow of the Web (Francesca Annis) for aid. The Widow is actually Elspeth, an enchantress who loved Ynyr long ago and was exiled to the spider's lair for murdering their only child. The Widow reveals where the Beast's fortress would be at the next sunrise. She also gives Ynyr the enchanted hourglass that kept the spider from attacking her. Ynyr returns to the group to reveal the news before he loses the last of the sand, which kills him. Colwyn and his followers use captured Fire Mares (the only transport fast enough to reach the teleporting fortress in the same day) to locate the Black Fortress, but are attacked by Slayers, who kill Rhun. When the get to the Black Fortress Rell, using his massive strength, holds open huge rock doors long enough for the others to enter. he dies, though, when the entrance closes, crushing him. Kegan is killed by a Slayer shortly afterwards and Colwyn gets lost. When the Slayers tried to kill Titch, Ergo surprisingly transforms into a tiger and kills the Slayers, injuring himself while saving Titch's life. Torquil and Oswyn are caught in a trap with slowly closing walls studded with massive spikes. Colwyn injures The Beast with the Glaive and finds Lyssa. He is, however, unable to pull the Glaive from the Beast's body. Lyssa realizes that the flame she passed him at the marriage ceremony can finish the beast. The two use the flame to slay The Beast and they make their way out of the crumbling Fortress, finding Torquil and Oswyn and retrieving Ergo and Titch. Colwyn uses the fire to blast his way out of the Fortress, which collapses and disappears. Colwyn names Torquil as Lord Marshal, which Torquil accepts. As the heroes depart across a field, the narrator confirms that they will rule the world and their child shall rule the galaxy.