This movie gets better with age. If you've got a sense of humor and don't need Industrial Light and Magic special effects, the combination of actors (all playing off the winsome Brigette Nielson) makes this a fun movie to see again...or for the first time.
141 Reviews
Fun romp despite some wooden performances
Sjhm26 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is Saturday afternoon fodder, and it is great fun. Brigitte Nielsen plays Red Sonja a little as though she is reading her lines off hidden cue cards, in fact the entire cast appears to have received the script on the day they began shooting, but this is still great comic book stuff all the same. It lacks the fancy CGI that we have come to expect, and is, in my opinion, actually the better for this lack. The set pieces all work well, and even the very tentative love story is not a major distraction. Settle back to enjoy skimpy skirts and lots of sword play, years before Xena the Warrior Princess hit the small screen.
Sword-and-Sorcery epic with female lead accompanied briefly by a He-man taking on multiple adventures
ma-cortes17 January 2011
Thrilling and spectacular movie full of imagination and fantasy that introduces us a brave heroine , female counterpart to Conan , and appointed to juvenile public and full-blooded adventure aficionados. Sword-and-sorcery saga with silly action , spectacular images and fantastic scenes with witchcraft and necromancy . This is a tale of fantasy , magic , imagination, blood and wizardly set in a mythical primitive world of barbarisms. This is an amusing adventure saga inspired on Robert E Howard's pulp tale , it stars Brigitte Nielsen ( by that time married Silvester Stallone) who join forces with the mythic and valiant warrior Kalifor ( a super-swordsman Arnold Schwarznegger in a brief guest spot), a Hyborian Age hero , a Conan-alike , taking on heinous forces of devil and evil minions . A nasty sorceress kills the keeper (Janet Agren) of a powerful green bulb that gives her great power , but Red Sonja is sister of the keeper and seeks vengeance on villainess Gedren who also massacred her family . A selfish little boy prince named Tarn (Ernie Reyes Jr) and his underling Falkon (Paul L. Smith), whose kingdom was wiped out by Gedren soon joins them . They undergo on a perilous trip to find the talisman , confronting magicians , spectres and dangerous adventures. Our heroine fights the evil hoodlums of brutal Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) who seeks the total power and leading a vibrant ending.
This exciting film packs noisy action, fantasy, adventure, witchery , and rip-roaring fights . Dumb images , unintentionally hilarious and lots of amusement and entertainment . Made on a fairly big scale with spectacular set design and glimmer photography . Quite budget for an Italian/Netherland/US co-production and lavishly produced by Dino De Laurentiis , her daughter Francesca and Jose Lopez Rodero. This entertaining picture contains frenetic action , tension , necromancy, and moving action scenes . The film is full of freaks and bemusing situations ; it is quite entertaining because being a laborious and intriguing adventure tale with some humor . Colorful cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno , Federico Fellini's usual . Very derivative special effects , grand production design by Danilo Donati ,and matte paintings by Albert Whitlock and Emilio Ruiz del Rio . Impressive musical score composed and conducted by the master Ennio Morricone. The motion picture is middling directed by Richard Fleischer . He's an expert director , with adventure classics (Vikings, 20.000 leagues under sea) and noir cinema (Narrow margin,Clay pigeons,Trapped). The film will appeal to fantasy buffs with enough action to make it worth looking in on . In other words, it seem likely Conan enthusiasts and juvenile viewers will be delighted because thrills, action and adventures are brilliantly presented and edited to offer the maximum impact. Rating : 5,5 ; it's an old-fashioned B film on an acceptable scale and basically enjoyable because of it.
This exciting film packs noisy action, fantasy, adventure, witchery , and rip-roaring fights . Dumb images , unintentionally hilarious and lots of amusement and entertainment . Made on a fairly big scale with spectacular set design and glimmer photography . Quite budget for an Italian/Netherland/US co-production and lavishly produced by Dino De Laurentiis , her daughter Francesca and Jose Lopez Rodero. This entertaining picture contains frenetic action , tension , necromancy, and moving action scenes . The film is full of freaks and bemusing situations ; it is quite entertaining because being a laborious and intriguing adventure tale with some humor . Colorful cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno , Federico Fellini's usual . Very derivative special effects , grand production design by Danilo Donati ,and matte paintings by Albert Whitlock and Emilio Ruiz del Rio . Impressive musical score composed and conducted by the master Ennio Morricone. The motion picture is middling directed by Richard Fleischer . He's an expert director , with adventure classics (Vikings, 20.000 leagues under sea) and noir cinema (Narrow margin,Clay pigeons,Trapped). The film will appeal to fantasy buffs with enough action to make it worth looking in on . In other words, it seem likely Conan enthusiasts and juvenile viewers will be delighted because thrills, action and adventures are brilliantly presented and edited to offer the maximum impact. Rating : 5,5 ; it's an old-fashioned B film on an acceptable scale and basically enjoyable because of it.
OK I admit I enjoyed it!!
King_Opossum21 April 2000
Let's just settle this before I start - this is a bad bad movie! You will be hard pressed to find such awful acting anywhere as Miss Nielsen, 'veteran' director Richard Fleischer stumbles blindly through a non-existant plot, and you will feel absolutely no sympathy for either the good guys or the bad - in other words you just won't care!
I would love to have hated this film - as a self-proclaimed 'movie-buff' this is the kind of film I should not even go near. But I'm loathed to admit...I enjoyed it! The two stars, amongst their awful acting, are actually quite engaging in a comedic way (intentional or not!). I began to relish the dialogue scenes just to see if a line could have been delivered with any more wood! The intentional comedy comes from a young prince (Ernie Reyes Jr) and his bodyguard (Paul Smith). Although I wished the prince to find the end of a sword as quickly as possible from his first scene, the interplay between these two characters was amusing, with some one-liners that could not have been more out of place in this film! The villainous queen (played by Sandahl Bergman) is unfortunately bland and forgettable. But one real treat for me was another completely out-of-place commodity - a great rousing score from maestro Ennio Morricone!
This was Schwarzenegger's return to his CONAN genre after hitting it big with THE TERMINATOR. It isn't too surprising that this was the last 'swords and sorcery' movie he did - but I promise you won't hate it! You'll want to!....but you won't!
I would love to have hated this film - as a self-proclaimed 'movie-buff' this is the kind of film I should not even go near. But I'm loathed to admit...I enjoyed it! The two stars, amongst their awful acting, are actually quite engaging in a comedic way (intentional or not!). I began to relish the dialogue scenes just to see if a line could have been delivered with any more wood! The intentional comedy comes from a young prince (Ernie Reyes Jr) and his bodyguard (Paul Smith). Although I wished the prince to find the end of a sword as quickly as possible from his first scene, the interplay between these two characters was amusing, with some one-liners that could not have been more out of place in this film! The villainous queen (played by Sandahl Bergman) is unfortunately bland and forgettable. But one real treat for me was another completely out-of-place commodity - a great rousing score from maestro Ennio Morricone!
This was Schwarzenegger's return to his CONAN genre after hitting it big with THE TERMINATOR. It isn't too surprising that this was the last 'swords and sorcery' movie he did - but I promise you won't hate it! You'll want to!....but you won't!
so it is true, only women may touch it
mitchellmaximus4 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Quote of the movie: "so it is true, only women may touch it"
What was good:
The Soundtrack was really good thanks to genus, Ennio Morricone.
Red Sonja looked really good in that little cloth piece she wore throughout the movie.
There is more red hair in this film than a shedding Irish Setter.
What was bad: The little kid playing the ruler of a land terribly over acts. I am not sure if this is because he is a bad kid actor or if it was suppose to be.
There was a scene where Arnold rides around hitting people from his horse, but in a wide-angle shot, there is nobody dead on the ground.
The special effects for 1985 are fairly lame, including the mechanical spider in the castle lair is so bad-dd.
The costumes were designed as if there was a sale at a early 1980's salvation army. Costume of the movie goes to the oriental old man, "grandmaster", with the white sheet and black straps is quite a sight. With poles that come out of his back, I don't know how he can enter a doorway.
It takes 18 minutes for Arnold to actually read a line.
A fun movie to drink a little and laugh at the action or lack of action. This movie could of been done a lot worse.
What was good:
The Soundtrack was really good thanks to genus, Ennio Morricone.
Red Sonja looked really good in that little cloth piece she wore throughout the movie.
There is more red hair in this film than a shedding Irish Setter.
What was bad: The little kid playing the ruler of a land terribly over acts. I am not sure if this is because he is a bad kid actor or if it was suppose to be.
There was a scene where Arnold rides around hitting people from his horse, but in a wide-angle shot, there is nobody dead on the ground.
The special effects for 1985 are fairly lame, including the mechanical spider in the castle lair is so bad-dd.
The costumes were designed as if there was a sale at a early 1980's salvation army. Costume of the movie goes to the oriental old man, "grandmaster", with the white sheet and black straps is quite a sight. With poles that come out of his back, I don't know how he can enter a doorway.
It takes 18 minutes for Arnold to actually read a line.
A fun movie to drink a little and laugh at the action or lack of action. This movie could of been done a lot worse.
Mildly entertaining if not taken too seriously
ColonelFaulkner12 June 2004
Have just seen this film for the first time after purchasing it on DVD
It comes across as a cheap attempt to cash in on the two Conan movies.
Unfortunately, this film didn't appear to have the same budget as the Conan films and hence some of the sets and effects aren't as flash and some scenes seem hurried.
Nielsen is OK to look at but unfortunately she couldn't act if a gun was put to her head.
Arnie's supporting role looked like it was done as a favor to director Fleischer, who also directed Conan the Destroyer. Maybe Arnie wasn't confident that he would go on to headline films like Predator, Total Recall, T2, etc.
Some of the female guardians of the talisman early in the film looked like they were struggling to lift their swords and the looks on their faces suggested they were having great fun making this film. I couldn't be so jovial if I was fighting for my life.
All this aside, this film required very little concentration to watch and was mildly entertaining. I've seen a lot worse. Two stars.
It comes across as a cheap attempt to cash in on the two Conan movies.
Unfortunately, this film didn't appear to have the same budget as the Conan films and hence some of the sets and effects aren't as flash and some scenes seem hurried.
Nielsen is OK to look at but unfortunately she couldn't act if a gun was put to her head.
Arnie's supporting role looked like it was done as a favor to director Fleischer, who also directed Conan the Destroyer. Maybe Arnie wasn't confident that he would go on to headline films like Predator, Total Recall, T2, etc.
Some of the female guardians of the talisman early in the film looked like they were struggling to lift their swords and the looks on their faces suggested they were having great fun making this film. I couldn't be so jovial if I was fighting for my life.
All this aside, this film required very little concentration to watch and was mildly entertaining. I've seen a lot worse. Two stars.
Entertaining but sometimes awful as well.
alvarax2 December 2021
I actually like Red Sonja overall, except for two scenes which were terrible. One of those scenes was the final fight with the queen, it would've been fine except for a plot contrivance where she decides to indicate to Sonja where her ally is, Idiot! The second scene involves water, I won't spoil it but you'll know which scene it is when you see it, absolutely loathed it.
The supporting characters were fine all though I don't see why the prince and his servant were needed, they did jack all in this film,; it should've just been Sonja and Calidor. The prince is also insufferable, all though I suppose that's the point.
The supporting characters were fine all though I don't see why the prince and his servant were needed, they did jack all in this film,; it should've just been Sonja and Calidor. The prince is also insufferable, all though I suppose that's the point.
Reminds me of the good-old Drive-In movie days.
jjflynn5 December 2003
This movie gets better with age. If you've got a sense of humor and don't need Industrial Light and Magic special effects, the combination of actors (all playing off the winsome Brigette Nielson) makes this a fun movie to see again...or for the first time.
It's probably also the movie that got Arnold in hot water during the "recall."
It's probably also the movie that got Arnold in hot water during the "recall."
Actually, As Much As People Hate This, It Still Runs Like Conan 3.
FiendishDramaturgy22 April 2007
It is sad that Schwarzenegger was the best thing about this production, especially considering the fact that he had not yet come into his own, and was still as stiff as cardboard in his dialog delivery.
Actually, this isn't as bad as some critics say, but it isn't good, either. It IS amusing, and DOES play like a poor country cousin of the Conan line, making it a conflicted, uneven, poor work. And speaking of poor, the quality is terrible, due to the era in which this was filmed, but that is not the only reason.
The story herein is inferior, even to the Conan line, but moreover, it loses itself in the "Red Sonja must be dominated by big strong Schwarzenegger" ploy, and entirely forgets its purpose, if it ever had one.
It's entertaining, but in a low-budget, guilty-pleasure "B" kind of way.
It rates a 4.2/10 from...
the Fiend :.
Actually, this isn't as bad as some critics say, but it isn't good, either. It IS amusing, and DOES play like a poor country cousin of the Conan line, making it a conflicted, uneven, poor work. And speaking of poor, the quality is terrible, due to the era in which this was filmed, but that is not the only reason.
The story herein is inferior, even to the Conan line, but moreover, it loses itself in the "Red Sonja must be dominated by big strong Schwarzenegger" ploy, and entirely forgets its purpose, if it ever had one.
It's entertaining, but in a low-budget, guilty-pleasure "B" kind of way.
It rates a 4.2/10 from...
the Fiend :.
Good Spin Off From Conan Series
DeathSlayer11 January 2005
I'm a great fan of the Conan series and of course my favourite is the first of the series "Conan the Barbarian". I bought Red Sonja on DVD for only $9.95 and I was surprised to find as entertaining as the first two Conan films. Arnold Schwarzenegger executed his character outstanding throughout the fight scenes and as Kalidor even though the film was focused on Red Sonja. Brigitte Nielsen was beautiful and played Red Sonja perfectly to heighten the suspense and action through the fight scenes. The Film quality was good into creating a fantasy environment. The Action scenes in this film was the main part that me through this film even though its PG there's enough blood for the warmongers to enjoy. To conclude whoever loves Barbaric films such as the Conan films or Kull the Conqueror this is the film for you.
Conan The Barbarian (1982) 8/10 Conan The Destroyer (1984) 6/10 Red Sonja (1985) 6/10
Conan The Barbarian (1982) 8/10 Conan The Destroyer (1984) 6/10 Red Sonja (1985) 6/10
Inept sword 'n' sorcery flick which pretty much destroyed its own genre.
barnabyrudge28 December 2005
Red Sonja is a career-step-in-the-wrong-direction for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Having made a couple of sword 'n' sorcery films (as Conan) he had moved onto slightly more serious acting roles in films like The Terminator and Commando, only to make a mystifying return to the sword 'n' sorcery genre for this 1985 debacle. It's hard to figure out why he bothered, as this is weaker than both Conan films in every conceivable department. Allegedly, this was to have been the third Conan film, but for one reason or another the emphasis was shifted onto the leading female character, the titular red-head, leaving poor old Arnold to play an incredibly dull supporting role. Spare a thought, too, for director Richard Fleischer who had given the world classics like 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Fantastic Voyage, The Boston Strangler and 10 Rillington Place. In this - his penultimate film - Fleischer also has taken a gigantic career step backwards.
Evil queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) wants to rule the world, and she needs a priceless and powerful talisman to do so. She and her brutish army storm a keep populated by priestesses and steal the said talisman, massacring the helpless priestesses as they go. One of the dead priestesses has a sister named Sonja (Brigitte Nielsen), a fiery red-headed warrior, who upon hearing of her sister's death swears revenge upon the evil Gedren. Sonja rides across the land in search of Gedren's lair. Along the way she picks up travelling companions in the shape of a boy prince, Tarn (Ernie Reyes Jr) and his bodyguard Falkon (Paul Smith). She also meets the muscular warrior Conan - sorry, I mean Kalidor (!) - who offers to join her in her quest. Initially Sonja doesn't want the help of Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), preferring instead to prove that she can confront and defeat her enemies alone, but eventually she warms to him and accepts his assistance.
Red Sonja is a staggeringly poor film, all the more so when one muses that it was made in 1985 when the sword 'n' sorcery genre was close to its end. It seems so simplistic and amateurish that one could easily mistake it for an early example of its kind. The performances are poor on the whole, ranging from Bergman's embarrassingly OTT villain to Reyes' unbelievably irritating spoilt brat to Schwarzenegger's wooden and unenthusiastic hero. Nielsen is slightly better as the heroine - presumably full of enthusiasm at the thought of being in her first starring role - but she is let down very badly by the stupidity of Clive Exton and George MacDonald Fraser's script. The film is riddled with goofs, including a scene where Schwarzenegger is seen in close-up hacking down bad guys but in a long-shot in the same sequence there isn't a corpse in sight. Technically it is very inept too, with sub-standard special effects and appallingly mechanical monsters. There are a few compensations, such as Ennio Morricone's enjoyable music (Morricone spent a great deal of the '80s providing good music for awful films, e.g The Island, Treasure of the Four Crowns and Hundra). Another compensation is Giuseppe Rotunno's lensing of the locations - in fact, much of the time it's a hell of a lot more gratifying to look at the lovely scenery than the actors standing in the foreground! There were very few sword 'n' sorcery films after Red Sonja, so in some ways it might go down in history as the film which destroyed its own genre.
Evil queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) wants to rule the world, and she needs a priceless and powerful talisman to do so. She and her brutish army storm a keep populated by priestesses and steal the said talisman, massacring the helpless priestesses as they go. One of the dead priestesses has a sister named Sonja (Brigitte Nielsen), a fiery red-headed warrior, who upon hearing of her sister's death swears revenge upon the evil Gedren. Sonja rides across the land in search of Gedren's lair. Along the way she picks up travelling companions in the shape of a boy prince, Tarn (Ernie Reyes Jr) and his bodyguard Falkon (Paul Smith). She also meets the muscular warrior Conan - sorry, I mean Kalidor (!) - who offers to join her in her quest. Initially Sonja doesn't want the help of Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), preferring instead to prove that she can confront and defeat her enemies alone, but eventually she warms to him and accepts his assistance.
Red Sonja is a staggeringly poor film, all the more so when one muses that it was made in 1985 when the sword 'n' sorcery genre was close to its end. It seems so simplistic and amateurish that one could easily mistake it for an early example of its kind. The performances are poor on the whole, ranging from Bergman's embarrassingly OTT villain to Reyes' unbelievably irritating spoilt brat to Schwarzenegger's wooden and unenthusiastic hero. Nielsen is slightly better as the heroine - presumably full of enthusiasm at the thought of being in her first starring role - but she is let down very badly by the stupidity of Clive Exton and George MacDonald Fraser's script. The film is riddled with goofs, including a scene where Schwarzenegger is seen in close-up hacking down bad guys but in a long-shot in the same sequence there isn't a corpse in sight. Technically it is very inept too, with sub-standard special effects and appallingly mechanical monsters. There are a few compensations, such as Ennio Morricone's enjoyable music (Morricone spent a great deal of the '80s providing good music for awful films, e.g The Island, Treasure of the Four Crowns and Hundra). Another compensation is Giuseppe Rotunno's lensing of the locations - in fact, much of the time it's a hell of a lot more gratifying to look at the lovely scenery than the actors standing in the foreground! There were very few sword 'n' sorcery films after Red Sonja, so in some ways it might go down in history as the film which destroyed its own genre.
Laptop Critics Don't Know Jack
milsorgen19 February 2010
Personally this is one of my all time favorite movies since I was very young. That being said I had not seen this movie in over a decade before seeing it on the shelf at the grocery store where I purchased it.
I had just watched the two Conan movies a few nights prior and I sat down with my lady to watch an old favorite.
To me this movie was infinitely more enjoyable than the Conan movies. And even as an adult some 20 years later with a much wider and esoteric taste in movies, music and games; I found this movie a blast and I'm not going to say it's a 10 and nor am I going to play the role of lap top critic.
I'm just going to say this: In a world of horrible blockbusters like GI Joe and Transformers I feel Red Sonja was money and time well spent.
I had just watched the two Conan movies a few nights prior and I sat down with my lady to watch an old favorite.
To me this movie was infinitely more enjoyable than the Conan movies. And even as an adult some 20 years later with a much wider and esoteric taste in movies, music and games; I found this movie a blast and I'm not going to say it's a 10 and nor am I going to play the role of lap top critic.
I'm just going to say this: In a world of horrible blockbusters like GI Joe and Transformers I feel Red Sonja was money and time well spent.
A fun guilty pleasure
Smells_Like_Cheese29 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
OK, I know I'm going to either get a lot of hate for this and a lot of confused emails, but Red Sonja to me is an ultimate guilty pleasure. My sister and I used to watch this movie all the time when we were kids, we both wanted to so badly fight with Red Sonja and be apart of the group. So oddly, after years of not watching this since I was a kid, my sister and I found the DVD for 5 dollars and decided to watch it. Oh, the things that are so wrong with this film that makes it so right again. Looking to be a spin off of Conan, we were introduced to Red Sonja played by Flava-Flav's ultimate true love, Bridgitte Nielson. The 6 foot tall drink of glass shows us that this was her acting class as she rehearses her lines as if she had just read them the night before and screams "Gedren, where are you?!" while moving her mouth in the strangest way. She teams up with world's other tall drink of
beef(?) Arnold Schwarzenegger as they battle it out on who can act the worst? Well, who knows who will win with this silly story.
A large temple full of white-robed priestesses are getting ready to destroy a large, glowing green orb called the Talisman. This dangerous artifact's destructive power increases from exposure to light and the priestesses intend to destroy it before it gets out of control. However, the evil Queen Gedren and Ikol attack with their army. The warrior-priestesses resist, but are ultimately subdued by Gedren's forces. Gedren gets her hands on the Talisman, but not before proving the myth that only women can touch it and survive. Gedren orders the remaining priestesses to be imprisoned in the vault which held the Talisman. One of those priestesses, Varna, manages to escape. She doesn't get far before she's mortally wounded by an arrow in the back. As luck would have it, she literally falls into the arms of the mighty Lord Kalidor. She begs him to help find her sister, Red Sonja. Sonja has been training with a Chinese sword master when Kalidor informs Sonja about her sister. Sonja arrives just in time for Varna to tell her about what happened at the temple. Before dying, Sonja's sister urges her to find the Talisman and destroy it, or else the world will be destroyed.
Everything about this movie is bad, but that's what I love about it. You know how sometimes you just need a bad movie that you can make fun of and have a good time with? Supposedly, Arnold Schwarzenegger jokes that he uses this movie as punishment for his kids when they act up. Is it that bad? It is bad, but it's a ton of fun. I loved the action, Arnold fighting Bridgitte for her love as no man may have her unless he's trying to kill her, lol. I loved the last fight scene between Red Sonja and Queen Gedren, Gedren loves pulling a ton of jump cuts on her as well as one of Gedren's wizards who is using vodoo to cut Sonja to weaken her, then when she discovers the wizard, instead of him cutting her again, he just stands there, lol. Also the little Prince Tarn with Falkon was classic and they worked so well together. I think the scene that made me laugh the most was when Red Sonja, Prince Tarn and Falkon are stuck in the cave with the machine dragon and Arnold is just riding around with it making it look more like a roller coaster ride rather than a fight for his life, lol! My opinion, if a movie entertains you even if it is bad, why fight it? This is a good bad movie and I know I will always enjoy it. My recommendation being if you have an open mind and decide to just let go and enjoy the ride Red Sonja takes you on, take it or leave it.
7/10
A large temple full of white-robed priestesses are getting ready to destroy a large, glowing green orb called the Talisman. This dangerous artifact's destructive power increases from exposure to light and the priestesses intend to destroy it before it gets out of control. However, the evil Queen Gedren and Ikol attack with their army. The warrior-priestesses resist, but are ultimately subdued by Gedren's forces. Gedren gets her hands on the Talisman, but not before proving the myth that only women can touch it and survive. Gedren orders the remaining priestesses to be imprisoned in the vault which held the Talisman. One of those priestesses, Varna, manages to escape. She doesn't get far before she's mortally wounded by an arrow in the back. As luck would have it, she literally falls into the arms of the mighty Lord Kalidor. She begs him to help find her sister, Red Sonja. Sonja has been training with a Chinese sword master when Kalidor informs Sonja about her sister. Sonja arrives just in time for Varna to tell her about what happened at the temple. Before dying, Sonja's sister urges her to find the Talisman and destroy it, or else the world will be destroyed.
Everything about this movie is bad, but that's what I love about it. You know how sometimes you just need a bad movie that you can make fun of and have a good time with? Supposedly, Arnold Schwarzenegger jokes that he uses this movie as punishment for his kids when they act up. Is it that bad? It is bad, but it's a ton of fun. I loved the action, Arnold fighting Bridgitte for her love as no man may have her unless he's trying to kill her, lol. I loved the last fight scene between Red Sonja and Queen Gedren, Gedren loves pulling a ton of jump cuts on her as well as one of Gedren's wizards who is using vodoo to cut Sonja to weaken her, then when she discovers the wizard, instead of him cutting her again, he just stands there, lol. Also the little Prince Tarn with Falkon was classic and they worked so well together. I think the scene that made me laugh the most was when Red Sonja, Prince Tarn and Falkon are stuck in the cave with the machine dragon and Arnold is just riding around with it making it look more like a roller coaster ride rather than a fight for his life, lol! My opinion, if a movie entertains you even if it is bad, why fight it? This is a good bad movie and I know I will always enjoy it. My recommendation being if you have an open mind and decide to just let go and enjoy the ride Red Sonja takes you on, take it or leave it.
7/10
Good for laughs.
Hey_Sweden12 March 2013
Veteran director Richard Fleischer follows up his movie "Conan the Destroyer" with this fantasy-adventure also based on the writings of Robert E. Howard. Ultimately, this movie is a trifle compared to the original "Conan the Barbarian", but if the viewer isn't too demanding, it may yield adequate entertainment.
Like "Conan the Destroyer", it's supposedly aimed at a younger demographic, but is actually a little strong for its PG-13 rating, with some gory bits, decapitations, implied rape, and the lesbian overtures made by the villainess towards the heroine.
The movie is basically competently made, with good production design (by Danilo Donati) and stunts, reasonably diverting swordplay, and a decent pace (this only runs 89 minutes long). There's also a fairly effective score by the great Ennio Morricone. However, there's never much of a sense of danger; this story definitely lacks edge.
Said story centres around the title character, played by Brigitte Nielsen in the role that introduced her. She's a warrior whose people were wiped out by an evil queen (Sandahl Bergman, who of course was Valeria in "Conan the Barbarian") and she embarks on a quest to destroy a powerful "talisman" that's fallen into the queens' hands. Her fellow travellers include muscle bound Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger, presumably doing a favour for Fleischer), an insufferable brat of a prince (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and the princes' put-upon, comedy relief guardian Falkon (Paul L. Smith).
The acting ranges from acceptable (also appearing is Ronald Lacey of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as the queens' creepy flunky) to just incredibly laughable. Nielsen and Bergman are so terrible that their performances are sure to generate some big guffaws from the viewer. Still, they both look great, and that has to count for something. Reyes Jr. certainly does succeed at making his character annoying.
While it manages to remain watchable throughout, this is pretty forgettable once it's over. It's got some amusing moments, but none to give it any real spark.
Five out of 10.
Like "Conan the Destroyer", it's supposedly aimed at a younger demographic, but is actually a little strong for its PG-13 rating, with some gory bits, decapitations, implied rape, and the lesbian overtures made by the villainess towards the heroine.
The movie is basically competently made, with good production design (by Danilo Donati) and stunts, reasonably diverting swordplay, and a decent pace (this only runs 89 minutes long). There's also a fairly effective score by the great Ennio Morricone. However, there's never much of a sense of danger; this story definitely lacks edge.
Said story centres around the title character, played by Brigitte Nielsen in the role that introduced her. She's a warrior whose people were wiped out by an evil queen (Sandahl Bergman, who of course was Valeria in "Conan the Barbarian") and she embarks on a quest to destroy a powerful "talisman" that's fallen into the queens' hands. Her fellow travellers include muscle bound Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger, presumably doing a favour for Fleischer), an insufferable brat of a prince (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and the princes' put-upon, comedy relief guardian Falkon (Paul L. Smith).
The acting ranges from acceptable (also appearing is Ronald Lacey of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as the queens' creepy flunky) to just incredibly laughable. Nielsen and Bergman are so terrible that their performances are sure to generate some big guffaws from the viewer. Still, they both look great, and that has to count for something. Reyes Jr. certainly does succeed at making his character annoying.
While it manages to remain watchable throughout, this is pretty forgettable once it's over. It's got some amusing moments, but none to give it any real spark.
Five out of 10.
Conan III
Blueghost25 March 2010
It's been ages since I've seen this film, and it holds about as much interest for me as when I first saw it. It's entertaining on a certain level, and holds some interest.
Some minor notes before progressing with my comments; Kalidor in reality is Conan's alternate name. That is to say Conan and Kalidor are one in the same person as per Robert Howard's authorship. Ergo Laurentis casting Arnie in the role was most likely deliberate, though Governor Schwarzenegger and his then agent may have had the wool pulled over their eyes and had this little fact kept from them when approached for the role. In fact and essence you're seeing "Conan the Barbarian III", in spite of the Red Sonja title.
But, enough of that. Can Bridgette Neilson act? Yeah, sure. Is she Oscar material? Err... no. Was she right for the role? Probably. How about the other roles? Me, I think Sandahl Bergman rejoining the Conan cast as a lesbian queen was a fine choice. And pardon my prurient interest, but I think she's hotter as a brunette with short hair than as a natural blonde :)
The film is what it is; a thinly veiled knockoff of the first two Conan films, though again, it really IS a third (albeit unofficial) installment of the "franchise", so to speak. The sets and art direction for a moderately budgeted sequel are actually fairly impressive, though one gets the sense that there's some slight of hand being used to mask budgetary limitations.
And, believe it or not, it works after a fashion. There's the usual "we can't afford to costume real life size armies, so we'll allude to armies and battles in dialog, than actually show them" thing going on. But there're enough costumed bodies to get the gist across that our antagonist does command vast hosts to conquer the Hyborean world.
Other technical aspects; it's not a poorly shot film, but the cinematography doesn't recapture Milius' touch with the first Conan film. But, then again, there is a kind of artistic professionalism that comes across in this movie that can be admired after a fashion. The one thing that strikes me visually, other than the elaborate and well designed costumes and set pieces, is the fact that even though the cinematography is respectable, there's no real "theme" to it. The shots are fairly static, but well composed, yet there's no underlying dynamic to them. In essence the cast and crew were told to do their best with the material they were given, and they do so in spades.
This isn't to say the film is outstanding, because it isn't. But everyone puts their best foot forward in a film that's pretty much all- business. That is to say it was given a nice clean professional coat, but lacked a certain integrity that comes across in the script. We are, in fact and essence, watching Robert Howard's feminized version of Conan do her thing and not much else.
What could have improved this film? Lots of things, I suppose. A bigger budget for one to actually stage some large battle sequences as Sandahl's character goes about conquering the world. Neilson does her double-Y chromosome thing as an Arnie imitation, but is perhaps off par by a stroke or two in terms of performance. Arnie does his thing, and Sandahl does hers (she actually gives a respectable performance). Reyes Junior is who he is, and does an adequate job as a spoiled brat.
The truth of the matter is that this film was made in the 80s, when female marketed films weren't seen as big money makers, and so it was budgeted as such; i.e. it wasn't expected to make lots of money, but financed to put on a good show. Red Sonja is to the Conan films as Supergirl was to the Superman films.
All in all it's another De Laurentis production. Take it for what it is, interesting and entertaining popcorn fare.
Some minor notes before progressing with my comments; Kalidor in reality is Conan's alternate name. That is to say Conan and Kalidor are one in the same person as per Robert Howard's authorship. Ergo Laurentis casting Arnie in the role was most likely deliberate, though Governor Schwarzenegger and his then agent may have had the wool pulled over their eyes and had this little fact kept from them when approached for the role. In fact and essence you're seeing "Conan the Barbarian III", in spite of the Red Sonja title.
But, enough of that. Can Bridgette Neilson act? Yeah, sure. Is she Oscar material? Err... no. Was she right for the role? Probably. How about the other roles? Me, I think Sandahl Bergman rejoining the Conan cast as a lesbian queen was a fine choice. And pardon my prurient interest, but I think she's hotter as a brunette with short hair than as a natural blonde :)
The film is what it is; a thinly veiled knockoff of the first two Conan films, though again, it really IS a third (albeit unofficial) installment of the "franchise", so to speak. The sets and art direction for a moderately budgeted sequel are actually fairly impressive, though one gets the sense that there's some slight of hand being used to mask budgetary limitations.
And, believe it or not, it works after a fashion. There's the usual "we can't afford to costume real life size armies, so we'll allude to armies and battles in dialog, than actually show them" thing going on. But there're enough costumed bodies to get the gist across that our antagonist does command vast hosts to conquer the Hyborean world.
Other technical aspects; it's not a poorly shot film, but the cinematography doesn't recapture Milius' touch with the first Conan film. But, then again, there is a kind of artistic professionalism that comes across in this movie that can be admired after a fashion. The one thing that strikes me visually, other than the elaborate and well designed costumes and set pieces, is the fact that even though the cinematography is respectable, there's no real "theme" to it. The shots are fairly static, but well composed, yet there's no underlying dynamic to them. In essence the cast and crew were told to do their best with the material they were given, and they do so in spades.
This isn't to say the film is outstanding, because it isn't. But everyone puts their best foot forward in a film that's pretty much all- business. That is to say it was given a nice clean professional coat, but lacked a certain integrity that comes across in the script. We are, in fact and essence, watching Robert Howard's feminized version of Conan do her thing and not much else.
What could have improved this film? Lots of things, I suppose. A bigger budget for one to actually stage some large battle sequences as Sandahl's character goes about conquering the world. Neilson does her double-Y chromosome thing as an Arnie imitation, but is perhaps off par by a stroke or two in terms of performance. Arnie does his thing, and Sandahl does hers (she actually gives a respectable performance). Reyes Junior is who he is, and does an adequate job as a spoiled brat.
The truth of the matter is that this film was made in the 80s, when female marketed films weren't seen as big money makers, and so it was budgeted as such; i.e. it wasn't expected to make lots of money, but financed to put on a good show. Red Sonja is to the Conan films as Supergirl was to the Superman films.
All in all it's another De Laurentis production. Take it for what it is, interesting and entertaining popcorn fare.
Fabulously bad!
soulless_lover7 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie when I was very, very young, and I thought it was mind-bogglingly cheesy back then. It's been over twenty years, and I still think it's cheesier than a garish purple Mack truck hung with bling-bling and stuffed to the gills with Velveeta.
Not only is the acting bad, but the casting is even worse, and the dialogue just rounds it off into the depths of the infinitely awful. Red Sonja is... well... bad. Just... bad. I remember one fabulously dramatic shot wherein our brave female hero is dashing down the hall of the Wicked Queen Gedren's castle: she pauses right in front of the camera after running about fifteen paces; there's a super-tense closeup as her eyes dart around the empty corridor, looking for... well, I'm not really sure, since there's nothing but camera and blank walls around her. But the eyes darting? Oh yeah. Real tension there. And just when you think you can't take it any more, she yells in this grating, echoic voice, "Gedren!! Where are you!??" And as she says the word "you", her lips purse up into this awful horse-mouth, and you're looking at four stories of gums there. I laughed at that even as a six-year old. And where IS Gedren? Well, gee, I dunno, try the THRONE ROOM. Even the stupid kid managed to figure THAT one out, honey. Why are you the hero, again?
Prince Tarn has got to be one of the most annoying children on the face of the earth, although his fighting scenes are admittedly cool, and I'll admit that by the end of the film, I was hoping he'd get killed off. Oh yeah, and his big, fat, clumsy bodyguard is the typical big, fat, clumsy stereotype, right down to his weapon, which happens to be a club made out of some sort of LEG BONE. Hands up if you immediately thought he'd eaten the meat off that bone, decided it was the best doggone meal he'd ever had, and decided to dry the bone out and keep it as a memento. C'mon, you so did.
And while we're talking stereotypes here - Gedren. Good God, the woman is a walking billboard for anti-lesbian/feminist sentiment. Let's see, she slaughters an entire colony of people for the illegitimate offspring of a Jell-O Jiggler and a Lite-Brite - which only women can touch, of course - and proceeds to hit on poor scantily-clad Sonja with as much finesse and grace as a drunken panda driving a four-wheeler through a nitroglycerin plant. When Sonja refuses the Queen's oh-so-winsome advances, the latter has the former gang-raped by a bunch of big nasty guards. Of COURSE she does. And just in case Sonja missed the whole rape-and-pillage thing, not to worry, the villain fires up the Ford Exposition and EXPLAINS it to her.
Enter Kalidor, stage right, looking exactly like Conan, sounding exactly like Conan, and acting like he's got a bad head cold and is doped out on NyQuil. Get used to it, he doesn't get any better. Except for maybe that part where he grabs that annoying kid and lifts him up in the air with one hand and gives him this look that says, "If you don't shut the #$%^ up, I'm going to beat the crap out of you with this block of Velveeta." Yeah, I kinda liked that bit.
The ending fight sequences are really and truly awful, right from the moment Sonja walks in and starts trying to sound tough.
Sonja: "You slaughtered my parents! Like CATTLE! My brother, MY SISTER!!"
Gedren: "Vermin! What were their lives compared to THIS!?" (rips off her sequined Mardi Gras mask to reveal horribly fake scars, from a wound inflicted by Sonja)
Sonja: "You're a MAN! The Talisman will destroy you!"
Apparently Gedren can't come up with a witty retort for this, or even a basic denial, so she just gapes like a goldfish. Wretched.
Then, of course, comes the big battle scene in the room stocked with a squillion candles, the big iron gate comes down, the swordfight begins, and the rest of our heroes come rushing over to watch and eat popcorn. Kalidor, in a burst of incredible stupidity, shouts, "Sonja! Over here!" What the ^&*@ does he expect her to do? Stop fighting and go, "Oh, hey guys"? Maybe he's just trying to make her turn and look at him, in which case Gedren could get in a cheap decapitation and mercifully end the film. Unfortunately, this isn't what happens.
Of course the Evil Lesbian Queen gets her dues, the good guys get out, and for no particular reason at all... the castle blows up. Repeatedly. Seriously - the parapet blows up, cut to the good guys running. The upper level blows up, cut to the good guys running. The main bulk of the castle blows up, cut to the good guys diving behind a rock for cover. Aaaaand the parapet blows up again. Cut to the good guys cowering. Aaaaaand the parapet blows up AGAIN. I am not making this up. After they've blown up the castle three or four times, a huge unexplained pillar of flame rises from the ashes, and thank GOD for that, because if the parapet had blown up one more time, I would've begun thinking they were changing something in the Matrix, and I would've had to check and make sure my windows hadn't become brick walls.
All in all, yes, it's a terrible movie, but you'll laugh yourself sick, and that's what makes it fabulous.
Not only is the acting bad, but the casting is even worse, and the dialogue just rounds it off into the depths of the infinitely awful. Red Sonja is... well... bad. Just... bad. I remember one fabulously dramatic shot wherein our brave female hero is dashing down the hall of the Wicked Queen Gedren's castle: she pauses right in front of the camera after running about fifteen paces; there's a super-tense closeup as her eyes dart around the empty corridor, looking for... well, I'm not really sure, since there's nothing but camera and blank walls around her. But the eyes darting? Oh yeah. Real tension there. And just when you think you can't take it any more, she yells in this grating, echoic voice, "Gedren!! Where are you!??" And as she says the word "you", her lips purse up into this awful horse-mouth, and you're looking at four stories of gums there. I laughed at that even as a six-year old. And where IS Gedren? Well, gee, I dunno, try the THRONE ROOM. Even the stupid kid managed to figure THAT one out, honey. Why are you the hero, again?
Prince Tarn has got to be one of the most annoying children on the face of the earth, although his fighting scenes are admittedly cool, and I'll admit that by the end of the film, I was hoping he'd get killed off. Oh yeah, and his big, fat, clumsy bodyguard is the typical big, fat, clumsy stereotype, right down to his weapon, which happens to be a club made out of some sort of LEG BONE. Hands up if you immediately thought he'd eaten the meat off that bone, decided it was the best doggone meal he'd ever had, and decided to dry the bone out and keep it as a memento. C'mon, you so did.
And while we're talking stereotypes here - Gedren. Good God, the woman is a walking billboard for anti-lesbian/feminist sentiment. Let's see, she slaughters an entire colony of people for the illegitimate offspring of a Jell-O Jiggler and a Lite-Brite - which only women can touch, of course - and proceeds to hit on poor scantily-clad Sonja with as much finesse and grace as a drunken panda driving a four-wheeler through a nitroglycerin plant. When Sonja refuses the Queen's oh-so-winsome advances, the latter has the former gang-raped by a bunch of big nasty guards. Of COURSE she does. And just in case Sonja missed the whole rape-and-pillage thing, not to worry, the villain fires up the Ford Exposition and EXPLAINS it to her.
Enter Kalidor, stage right, looking exactly like Conan, sounding exactly like Conan, and acting like he's got a bad head cold and is doped out on NyQuil. Get used to it, he doesn't get any better. Except for maybe that part where he grabs that annoying kid and lifts him up in the air with one hand and gives him this look that says, "If you don't shut the #$%^ up, I'm going to beat the crap out of you with this block of Velveeta." Yeah, I kinda liked that bit.
The ending fight sequences are really and truly awful, right from the moment Sonja walks in and starts trying to sound tough.
Sonja: "You slaughtered my parents! Like CATTLE! My brother, MY SISTER!!"
Gedren: "Vermin! What were their lives compared to THIS!?" (rips off her sequined Mardi Gras mask to reveal horribly fake scars, from a wound inflicted by Sonja)
Sonja: "You're a MAN! The Talisman will destroy you!"
Apparently Gedren can't come up with a witty retort for this, or even a basic denial, so she just gapes like a goldfish. Wretched.
Then, of course, comes the big battle scene in the room stocked with a squillion candles, the big iron gate comes down, the swordfight begins, and the rest of our heroes come rushing over to watch and eat popcorn. Kalidor, in a burst of incredible stupidity, shouts, "Sonja! Over here!" What the ^&*@ does he expect her to do? Stop fighting and go, "Oh, hey guys"? Maybe he's just trying to make her turn and look at him, in which case Gedren could get in a cheap decapitation and mercifully end the film. Unfortunately, this isn't what happens.
Of course the Evil Lesbian Queen gets her dues, the good guys get out, and for no particular reason at all... the castle blows up. Repeatedly. Seriously - the parapet blows up, cut to the good guys running. The upper level blows up, cut to the good guys running. The main bulk of the castle blows up, cut to the good guys diving behind a rock for cover. Aaaaand the parapet blows up again. Cut to the good guys cowering. Aaaaaand the parapet blows up AGAIN. I am not making this up. After they've blown up the castle three or four times, a huge unexplained pillar of flame rises from the ashes, and thank GOD for that, because if the parapet had blown up one more time, I would've begun thinking they were changing something in the Matrix, and I would've had to check and make sure my windows hadn't become brick walls.
All in all, yes, it's a terrible movie, but you'll laugh yourself sick, and that's what makes it fabulous.
Distant cousin of Conan
funkyfry12 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Since first seeing this on TV back in the 80s, my feelings about this have gone up and down like the proverbial roller-coaster. Initially high on the film's mix of swordfighting, skin, and magic, I eventually became a fan of Robert Howard's fantasy writing and the film seemed to suffer greatly by comparison. Of course such overly literal comparisons are un-necessary. Red Sonja is only marginally even a Robert Howard character, and more a creation of Marvel Comics' Roy Thomas and others. But she does walk the same dusty streets as Conan and Kull, and her Conan-esquire prince in this one is supposed to be a Hyrkanian Lord named Kalidor (Arnold Schwartzenneger). What should be said is that the character is not identical to Conan, but Arnold's performance as Kalidor is exactly the same as his interpretation of Conan.
He seems only too happy to sink into the background as much as possible on this one; his original Conan co-star Sandahl Bergman is comparatively ambitious and scenery-chewing as a witch queen who seizes a glowing orb that controls the weather. As for the star of the show, Brigitte Nielsen, the less said of her acting by far the better. Seeing as most Italian movies are fixed in post-production, I'm astounded that even dubbing could not have solved some of the most woeful problems with her lack of inflection. There's literally no emotion in her voice at any time really. On the positive side, that does make her an equal match for Schwartzenneger. Ernie Reyes Jr., who made his film debut in Berry Gordy's "The Last Dragon" the previous year, is fun comic diversion as an undisciplined prince, and he shows off his martial arts skills to good effect.
The best thing about the film is the great score supplied by Ennio Morricone which lifts everything up a notch. The matte work is also quite well done, and despite what perhaps others have said about the film its production values are generally high just as usual for a DeLaurentis production. The photography is quite beautiful in some places, thanks to Giuseppe Rotunno (who also shot Gilliam's lovely "Baron Munchausen"), but Richard Fleischer's monotonous direction drags the film down at every opportunity when it could have soared. The script is very hollow too -- basically the plot consists of leaving one member or other of the group behind so that he can suddenly appear in time to *surprise* save the rest from whatever monster they've encountered.
Basically what we have here is something that you can enjoy if you have a few drinks in you, the music and the photography will carry you if you're in the mood for a fantasy vibe, but the acting in general and the story are very dull.
He seems only too happy to sink into the background as much as possible on this one; his original Conan co-star Sandahl Bergman is comparatively ambitious and scenery-chewing as a witch queen who seizes a glowing orb that controls the weather. As for the star of the show, Brigitte Nielsen, the less said of her acting by far the better. Seeing as most Italian movies are fixed in post-production, I'm astounded that even dubbing could not have solved some of the most woeful problems with her lack of inflection. There's literally no emotion in her voice at any time really. On the positive side, that does make her an equal match for Schwartzenneger. Ernie Reyes Jr., who made his film debut in Berry Gordy's "The Last Dragon" the previous year, is fun comic diversion as an undisciplined prince, and he shows off his martial arts skills to good effect.
The best thing about the film is the great score supplied by Ennio Morricone which lifts everything up a notch. The matte work is also quite well done, and despite what perhaps others have said about the film its production values are generally high just as usual for a DeLaurentis production. The photography is quite beautiful in some places, thanks to Giuseppe Rotunno (who also shot Gilliam's lovely "Baron Munchausen"), but Richard Fleischer's monotonous direction drags the film down at every opportunity when it could have soared. The script is very hollow too -- basically the plot consists of leaving one member or other of the group behind so that he can suddenly appear in time to *surprise* save the rest from whatever monster they've encountered.
Basically what we have here is something that you can enjoy if you have a few drinks in you, the music and the photography will carry you if you're in the mood for a fantasy vibe, but the acting in general and the story are very dull.
Red Mullet.
BA_Harrison27 February 2015
Arnold the Barbarian meets his match in the shapely form of statuesque Brigitte Nielsen as Red Mullet, who rivals The Austrian Oak's ability with a blade while proving herself equally as inept as the musclebound star at delivering her lines. With these woefully wooden performers sharing much of the screen-time, working from a pitiful script that is heavy on the cheeze, Red Sonja is unintentionally camp, mid-80s sword and sorcery adventure that proves far more amusing than thrilling.
In the film's horribly trite opening scene, young Sonja rejects the sexual advances of evil Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman), slashing the wicked ruler's face as she struggles to escape; as a result, the queen orders her guards to kill Sonja's family and gang rape the insolent young woman. Years later, having learnt fighting skills from an old master, Sonja is given the opportunity to settle the score when she embarks on a quest to recover a powerful talisman that has been stolen by the despotic Queen Gedren. Together with man mountain Kalidor (Arnie), irritating Prince Tarn (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and his willing slave Falkon (Paul L. Smith), Sonja travels to the queen's fortress to destroy the talisman and put an end to Gedren's tyranny.
Despite fairly decent production values—the film boasts impressive sets and costumery, reasonable effects (including some lovely matte paintings), spectacular cinematography, a rousing score from Ennio Morricone, and some well choreographed swordplay—Red Sonja is a rather embarrassing addition to the barbarian genre as a whole. The flat direction from Richard Fleischer renders the action scenes ineffective, the acting is diabolical, the storyline and dialogue utterly asinine, and the film's uneven tone makes it hard to figure out who the intended audience was: much of the movie seems light-hearted and rather juvenile at times, but the severed limbs and gouts of blood make it unsuitable viewing for children.
Of course, quite a few giggles can be had from the film's shoddier elements, which include a glowing wood spirit that inexplicably bestows special powers on Sonja (although just what these powers are is never really clear), Arnie riding a mechanical water dragon, Queen Gedren's giant vibrating pet spider, and a shonky steam-driven video screen that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serial from the 30s.
In the film's horribly trite opening scene, young Sonja rejects the sexual advances of evil Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman), slashing the wicked ruler's face as she struggles to escape; as a result, the queen orders her guards to kill Sonja's family and gang rape the insolent young woman. Years later, having learnt fighting skills from an old master, Sonja is given the opportunity to settle the score when she embarks on a quest to recover a powerful talisman that has been stolen by the despotic Queen Gedren. Together with man mountain Kalidor (Arnie), irritating Prince Tarn (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and his willing slave Falkon (Paul L. Smith), Sonja travels to the queen's fortress to destroy the talisman and put an end to Gedren's tyranny.
Despite fairly decent production values—the film boasts impressive sets and costumery, reasonable effects (including some lovely matte paintings), spectacular cinematography, a rousing score from Ennio Morricone, and some well choreographed swordplay—Red Sonja is a rather embarrassing addition to the barbarian genre as a whole. The flat direction from Richard Fleischer renders the action scenes ineffective, the acting is diabolical, the storyline and dialogue utterly asinine, and the film's uneven tone makes it hard to figure out who the intended audience was: much of the movie seems light-hearted and rather juvenile at times, but the severed limbs and gouts of blood make it unsuitable viewing for children.
Of course, quite a few giggles can be had from the film's shoddier elements, which include a glowing wood spirit that inexplicably bestows special powers on Sonja (although just what these powers are is never really clear), Arnie riding a mechanical water dragon, Queen Gedren's giant vibrating pet spider, and a shonky steam-driven video screen that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serial from the 30s.
Splendid fantasy fun, if not achieving quite the same heights
I_Ailurophile9 December 2022
The 1980s might well have been a golden age for fantasy in cinema. The decade sat at a crucial time of marvelously imaginative practical effects before digital creations began to take over - and any such special effects that we saw were still fairly modest, and sparing, and were therefore still actually special. True, in other ways the genre has benefited from unswerving consistency - fabulous, rich production design, art direction, costume design, hair and makeup work, props, weapons, stunts, and actions sequences, not to mention gorgeous filming locations. Such properties are as true of, say, Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy in the early 2000s as they were for 'Conan the Barbarian' and 'Conan the Destroyer' in the 80s. Yet the ever so slightly more modest production values of the 80s, that lack of utmost sheen and refinement, somewhat lends to the verisimilitude of tales of swords and sorcery, allowing for a tremendous, epic look and feel even in the most modest examples. And so we have 'Red Sonja': more or less hearkening to the same source material as the Conan films, claiming the same sensibilities of film-making and storytelling, and seeing the return of director Richard Fleischer, who helmed 'Destroyer.' For anyone who appreciates the genre, this is really fun!
Legendary composer that Ennio Morricone is, I'm not sure that his themes here carry the same vibrancy as those Basil Poledouris wrote for the Conan movies, but at worst they're only a hair short. The music still bears the same hallmarks of grandiosity, including employment of a choir and full orchestra; the chief difference, I think, is a seeming general aim for broad airs of adventure rather than specific accompaniment scene by scene (even though both are true to varying degrees). Though not directly correlated, the same feeling tends to apply to the picture at large. 'Red Sonja' is unmistakably cut from the same cloth of glory and majesty, with great fight scenes, colorful characters and light humor, diabolical villains, a journey of both equal import and peril, and resplendent visuals. It also, however, falls just shy of achieving the same heights of luminosity in any regard compared to its brethren. Moments that in theory should carry significant emotional weight, be loaded with thrills, or inspire chills or cheers, simply don't get quite that far in actuality. This isn't to say that the feature isn't a joyful ride all the way through, because it is, but as if to accentuate the point, it's worth observing that the title character plays second fiddle in her own movie; Brigitte Nielsen is billed second to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who by all rights has what should be the supporting role.
Still, one shouldn't get too caught up in the details - if it's fantasy adventure you want, it's definitely fantasy adventure you'll get. The cast do a fine job of bringing their characters to life, with quite the list of names rounding out secondary parts. The film looks incredible in every way, exactly the lofty magnificence we would hope for from any such fare. Would only that this strong female character were meaningfully allowed to be more so, and that the title overall had beats that could resonate as terrifically as what we get in its kin. For otherwise, I think 'Red Sonja' is a really good time, well worth watching; only, it's perhaps just not altogether essential. A solid recommendation for general audiences, it's fans of fantasy, of the works of Robert E. Howard and his ilk, or of the cast who will get the most out of this, but one way or another it's entertaining and a swell way to spend 90 minutes.
Legendary composer that Ennio Morricone is, I'm not sure that his themes here carry the same vibrancy as those Basil Poledouris wrote for the Conan movies, but at worst they're only a hair short. The music still bears the same hallmarks of grandiosity, including employment of a choir and full orchestra; the chief difference, I think, is a seeming general aim for broad airs of adventure rather than specific accompaniment scene by scene (even though both are true to varying degrees). Though not directly correlated, the same feeling tends to apply to the picture at large. 'Red Sonja' is unmistakably cut from the same cloth of glory and majesty, with great fight scenes, colorful characters and light humor, diabolical villains, a journey of both equal import and peril, and resplendent visuals. It also, however, falls just shy of achieving the same heights of luminosity in any regard compared to its brethren. Moments that in theory should carry significant emotional weight, be loaded with thrills, or inspire chills or cheers, simply don't get quite that far in actuality. This isn't to say that the feature isn't a joyful ride all the way through, because it is, but as if to accentuate the point, it's worth observing that the title character plays second fiddle in her own movie; Brigitte Nielsen is billed second to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who by all rights has what should be the supporting role.
Still, one shouldn't get too caught up in the details - if it's fantasy adventure you want, it's definitely fantasy adventure you'll get. The cast do a fine job of bringing their characters to life, with quite the list of names rounding out secondary parts. The film looks incredible in every way, exactly the lofty magnificence we would hope for from any such fare. Would only that this strong female character were meaningfully allowed to be more so, and that the title overall had beats that could resonate as terrifically as what we get in its kin. For otherwise, I think 'Red Sonja' is a really good time, well worth watching; only, it's perhaps just not altogether essential. A solid recommendation for general audiences, it's fans of fantasy, of the works of Robert E. Howard and his ilk, or of the cast who will get the most out of this, but one way or another it's entertaining and a swell way to spend 90 minutes.
It's OK
fluffchop13 November 2021
The first thing you'll notice is the stilted dialog. It's very off putting. A lot of fantasy movies from the 80s were like that. The longer the movie goes the better it gets. Brigitte Nelson has the king of all mullets. She has a cute accent like Arnie's. It's kind of a lame movie the way Conan the Destroyer was. It's kind of awkward and clunky. Don't expect too much by more modern standards. It's an OK movie.
Actually quite fun.
Dodge-Zombie15 July 2022
No it's not a great movie but it is a fun movie. It's not quite as good as the original "Conan" movies but it's not far off.
It certainly beats any of the other female "Barbarian" movies of the time that usually just involved lots of nudity and little else.
If you liked the "Conan" movies then I'd say give this a try.
It certainly beats any of the other female "Barbarian" movies of the time that usually just involved lots of nudity and little else.
If you liked the "Conan" movies then I'd say give this a try.
Not even the camp-ness is good.
Boba_Fett11388 March 2004
"Red Sonja" is flawed, weak and lacking. Even the camp-ness isn't good.
There are only two good things about "Red Sonja"; The costumes (even though the Red Sonja costume is ridiculous. It's ironic that a girl who is even afraid to be touched by men, because she was raped, still choose to wear so few little clothes, even when it rains.) and the music by Ennio Morricone. Still the movie is somewhat watchable but certainly not recommendable.
The story is extremely simple and they didn't even bother to make it interesting. The story could have been forgotten if there had been some good action sequences and some humor, both are present but are seriously flawed in many ways. The movie takes itself too serious and tries to impress but fails completely.
Brigitte Nielsen is an horrible leading lady. I don't know who's accent is worse; Hers or Arnie's and on top of that; She can't act. There is also absolutely no chemistry between the two characters which makes the love story totally unbelievable. Even worse was Sandahl Bergman as the main villain who acts more poorly than a paper bag. Ronald Lacey was somewhat good in his role, but my God he looked horrible, he changed so much since his (only well known) role in "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Maybe it had something to do with his illness which claimed his life in 1991? And by the way, what was with all those "Raiders of the Lost Ark" actors in this movie? Next to Ronald Lacey, Pat Roach, Terry Richards and Tutte Lemkow appeared in a role, it seemed like some kind of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" reunion.
The only times when the movie gets a bit interesting is during the (sword)fights even though some of them are needless and weak.
Only really watchable for the fans of the fantasy-genre.
4/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
There are only two good things about "Red Sonja"; The costumes (even though the Red Sonja costume is ridiculous. It's ironic that a girl who is even afraid to be touched by men, because she was raped, still choose to wear so few little clothes, even when it rains.) and the music by Ennio Morricone. Still the movie is somewhat watchable but certainly not recommendable.
The story is extremely simple and they didn't even bother to make it interesting. The story could have been forgotten if there had been some good action sequences and some humor, both are present but are seriously flawed in many ways. The movie takes itself too serious and tries to impress but fails completely.
Brigitte Nielsen is an horrible leading lady. I don't know who's accent is worse; Hers or Arnie's and on top of that; She can't act. There is also absolutely no chemistry between the two characters which makes the love story totally unbelievable. Even worse was Sandahl Bergman as the main villain who acts more poorly than a paper bag. Ronald Lacey was somewhat good in his role, but my God he looked horrible, he changed so much since his (only well known) role in "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Maybe it had something to do with his illness which claimed his life in 1991? And by the way, what was with all those "Raiders of the Lost Ark" actors in this movie? Next to Ronald Lacey, Pat Roach, Terry Richards and Tutte Lemkow appeared in a role, it seemed like some kind of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" reunion.
The only times when the movie gets a bit interesting is during the (sword)fights even though some of them are needless and weak.
Only really watchable for the fans of the fantasy-genre.
4/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Arnold, Brigitte, Sandahl!
Linda_S1 March 2009
This is a wonderfully moral sword and sorcery epic. Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays a heroic man of high character unlike the amoral Conan. His portrayal of Kalidor is understated and that makes it WORK.
Brigitte Nielsen while a raw talent, still manages to put this film over.
She is what one expects a Red Sonja to be: a simple, brave, barbarian woman with a sense of loyalty and oath upholding that is so alien to our modern world.
Sandahl Bergman as the nefarious Queen Gedren is marvelous. She has a plum role playing a villainous megalomaniac and she enjoys every minute of it.
Paul Smith and his sidekick Ernie Reyes Jr. almost steal the show, quite charming. Again there is a humanity in Smith's character, this loyalty and taking seriously of an oath that rings true for the imagined world of this sword and sorcery entry.
Tutte Lemkow's portrayal of a wizard is one of the minor roles that is very well done.
Of all the sword and sandal movies I have seen over the years I have a special place for this 1985 film.
It is a feel good movie, romantic, exciting, beautiful scenery and costumes and an excellent ARNOLD film.
Brigitte Nielsen while a raw talent, still manages to put this film over.
She is what one expects a Red Sonja to be: a simple, brave, barbarian woman with a sense of loyalty and oath upholding that is so alien to our modern world.
Sandahl Bergman as the nefarious Queen Gedren is marvelous. She has a plum role playing a villainous megalomaniac and she enjoys every minute of it.
Paul Smith and his sidekick Ernie Reyes Jr. almost steal the show, quite charming. Again there is a humanity in Smith's character, this loyalty and taking seriously of an oath that rings true for the imagined world of this sword and sorcery entry.
Tutte Lemkow's portrayal of a wizard is one of the minor roles that is very well done.
Of all the sword and sandal movies I have seen over the years I have a special place for this 1985 film.
It is a feel good movie, romantic, exciting, beautiful scenery and costumes and an excellent ARNOLD film.
A Solid Ride
Tweetienator20 September 2021
If you love the good ol' Conan movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger, you will like Red Sonja too. Regarding the genre, Sword & Sorcery, there are not too many good movies, but Red Sonja belongs to those few. Still a fine gem of an adventure movie with a solid production and some cheesy flavor, that got the right spirit to put Robert E. Howard's fantasy/vision into moving pictures. Good.
A cheesy '80s sword and sorcery flick that misses more often than it hits
Leofwine_draca25 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A sword and sorcery epic which is let down by wooden acting and a lethargic, plodding storyline. Following CONAN THE BARBARIAN and CONAN THE DESTROYER as a sort of semi-sequel, there is also a surprisingly lack of on screen violence, with only one or two beheadings, no blood spraying anywhere, people just being run through with swords. RED SONJA may not be the worst of the worst but it is pretty uninspiring.
Brigitte Nielsen stars in her first role. Surprisingly she turns out to be even more wooden than her co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nielsen might look good in a tunic but she totally lacks any natural charisma which makes her character a difficult one to like. Sadly Schwarzenegger is relegated to a supporting role in this one and he is given little to do apart from hack up some bad guys and do some silly strongman acts. Sandahl Bergman makes a good, wicked villainess but she sprouts clichéd dialogue which makes her look idiotic. Ronald Lacey also appears but is wasted in a supporting role. Look hard and you may spot Italian exploitation babe Janet Agren filling out a minor role.
The film opens with some pillaging, burning, a massacre, and a young survivor swearing vengeance. Strange, exactly the same as in both CONAN and THE BEASTMASTER. To add insult to injury there is only ONE monster in the entire film, an underwater creature made of metal which Arnie gets to ride in the film's highlight. Negative points include an annoying kid who should have been wasted and some poor comic relief. At least the ending picks up and there's ample opportunity for shots of falling rubble and a hilarious moment where Arnie holds up a pillar using just his back - he's that strong. Sadly the rest of this is a clichéd mess, to be viewed only by fans of the sword and sorcery flicks which were so popular back in the early '80s.
Brigitte Nielsen stars in her first role. Surprisingly she turns out to be even more wooden than her co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nielsen might look good in a tunic but she totally lacks any natural charisma which makes her character a difficult one to like. Sadly Schwarzenegger is relegated to a supporting role in this one and he is given little to do apart from hack up some bad guys and do some silly strongman acts. Sandahl Bergman makes a good, wicked villainess but she sprouts clichéd dialogue which makes her look idiotic. Ronald Lacey also appears but is wasted in a supporting role. Look hard and you may spot Italian exploitation babe Janet Agren filling out a minor role.
The film opens with some pillaging, burning, a massacre, and a young survivor swearing vengeance. Strange, exactly the same as in both CONAN and THE BEASTMASTER. To add insult to injury there is only ONE monster in the entire film, an underwater creature made of metal which Arnie gets to ride in the film's highlight. Negative points include an annoying kid who should have been wasted and some poor comic relief. At least the ending picks up and there's ample opportunity for shots of falling rubble and a hilarious moment where Arnie holds up a pillar using just his back - he's that strong. Sadly the rest of this is a clichéd mess, to be viewed only by fans of the sword and sorcery flicks which were so popular back in the early '80s.
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