Fantasy films enjoyed a great cinematic resurgence throughout the 1980's, most of this newfound popularity owed to the Arnold Schwarzenegger starring Conan The Barbarian (1982). However, at the time of Conan's filming, there was another project already in the pipeline. Though The Beastmaster lacked Arnold's star power to give it legs at the box office, it did originate from the pen of scribe Andre Norton: her 1959 Fantasy novel "The Beast Master" served as the foundation for the muscled-yarn of a man in somewhat telepathic communication with the animals.
(For the record: Norton has spoken on-the-record to express her dissatisfaction with her novel being so closely associated to the first film. In fact, Norton demanded that her name be removed from the original prints, even though the film's director has spoken fondly about his inspiration from her novels. Ouch.)
Director Don Coscarelli worked on the screenplay to adapt the ideas from the Norton book for the silver screen. Marc Singer was cast as the hunky lead, and he was joined by John Amos, Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn, and Rod Loomis in key roles. Here's the film's plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A sword-and-sorcery fantasy about a young man's search for revenge. Armed with supernatural powers, the handsome hero and his animal allies wage war against marauding forces."
Though I've read that, initially, The Beastmaster really only enjoyed modest success at the U.S. box office, the film surprisingly developed a strong cult following over the years from TV and pay cable broadcasts as well as a healthy interest from the home video crowd.
(For the record: Norton has spoken on-the-record to express her dissatisfaction with her novel being so closely associated to the first film. In fact, Norton demanded that her name be removed from the original prints, even though the film's director has spoken fondly about his inspiration from her novels. Ouch.)
Director Don Coscarelli worked on the screenplay to adapt the ideas from the Norton book for the silver screen. Marc Singer was cast as the hunky lead, and he was joined by John Amos, Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn, and Rod Loomis in key roles. Here's the film's plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A sword-and-sorcery fantasy about a young man's search for revenge. Armed with supernatural powers, the handsome hero and his animal allies wage war against marauding forces."
Though I've read that, initially, The Beastmaster really only enjoyed modest success at the U.S. box office, the film surprisingly developed a strong cult following over the years from TV and pay cable broadcasts as well as a healthy interest from the home video crowd.
Because mankind never quite knows much less understands how these things work, The Beastmaster -- as its own property -- continued to survive well after that first motion picture even in spite of its best middling effort. Nearly ten years after the first film was in theaters, audiences were treated to Beastmaster 2: Through The Portal Of Time (1991), thus morphing it from a stand-alone feature to a full-bodied franchise (yes, pun intended). In 1996, Marc Singer suited up (well) again (in loincloth, presumably) for Beastmaster III: The Eye Of Braxus for a Fantasy telefilm. Lastly, there was a syndicated TV series which brought in Daniel Goddard to assume the mantle of Dar (erm ... loincloth?) that ran for an adventurous three seasons.
I guess it's safe to say that there's no keeping a good BeastMaster down.
-- EZ
I guess it's safe to say that there's no keeping a good BeastMaster down.
-- EZ
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