HAWK THE SLAYER with Dan Tetsell

·1 hr 27 min·5 clips

John Rain and Dan Tetzel argue that 'Hawk the Slayer' is better than the other 80s fantasy film they've covered, starring Oscar-winner Bernard Bresslaw.

The episode begins with host John Rain introducing guest Dan Tetzel to discuss the 1980 British fantasy film 'Hawk the Slayer.' Both hosts express surprise that they find it superior to 'Krull,' another 80s fantasy film they've covered. They immediately dive into the film's central gimmick: a sword that floats slowly to its wielder, Hawk, played by John Terry. The hosts speculate on the practical effects, suggesting it was lifted by strings or thrown. The conversation shifts to the film's extensive cast of recognizable British character actors, many of whom are killed off, leading to comparisons with a pandemic. They discuss the villain, Voltan, played by Jack Palance, noting his motivation is a burnt face and his evil acts are relatively small-scale, like bullying nuns. The hosts trace the plot, which involves Hawk assembling a team including a giant (Bernard Bresslaw), an elf, and a dwarf to rescue a kidnapped nun. They critique the film's cheap effects, such as the 'Forest of Weir' with frog puppets, a scene using Silly String as a weapon, and a finale featuring glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls and fake snow. The episode frequently digresses into tangents about the actors' other roles, from Bond films to 'Doctor Who.' They analyze the film's pacing, its lifts from other works like 'The Magnificent Seven,' and the underwhelming final fight. Throughout, the tone is humorous and nostalgic, focusing on the film's campy charm and behind-the-scenes trivia.

As heard by us

A Hawk the Slayer review turns Voltan's jealousy, choppy flashbacks, and one pillow mark into comic evidence.

This single-episode review of Hawk the Slayer finds its comic engine in Hawke and Voltan's messy shared past, especially the film's habit of feeding that history out in small, dramatic fragments.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a fantasy-film chat where Hawk the Slayer's drip-fed flashbacks lead from old romance to one very damning black pillow mark.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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