Customer Reviews

Red Sonja [VHS]

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Based (very loosely) on a character created by legendary sword and sorcery fantasy writer Robert E. Howard, comes Red Sonja (1985), imbued with powers of mystical origin and seeking justice and revenge for the wrongs perpetrated upon her and her family by an evil warlord queen. The film, directed by Richard Fleischer, who also did Conan the Destroyer (1984), stars Brigitte (I was married to Sylvester Stallone once) Nielsen as the title character. Also appearing is Arnold Swarzenegger as Kalidor, a Noble warrior who aids Sonja on her quest, and the lovely Sandahl Bergman (she appeared in Conan the Barbarian as the warrior Valaria) as the evil Queen Gerden. Other notable appearances include Ronald Lacey (you may remember him as Toht from the film Raiders of the Lost Ark) as evil henchman Ikol, and Paul L. Smith (Bluto from the Robin Williams Popeye movie) as Falkon.

The film begins by relating the sad tale of Sonja and how Queen Gerden and her forces wiped out her family, supposedly I guess due to the fact the Queen wanted Sonja in some capacity (girls gone wild indeed) but Sonja refused. Left for dead, Sonja is visited by a spirit of sorts, which gives her literally gives he strength to embark on a quest of justice and revenge against the evil queen. Also, it seems the queen has stolen a powerful, carefully guarded, glowing orb right before it was meant to be destroyed, one that has powers of its' own, allowing for the possessor to control elemental forces and call down storms and earthquakes, if they so wish. Kalidor, one of the individuals in place to oversee the destruction of the orb, joins forces with Red Sonja, as their paths may differ, but they ultimately lead to the same place. An impudent, young prince named Tarn and his guard/manservant Falkon, whose kingdom was unceremoniously wiped out by Gerden as a test for her newfound powers, soon joins them. Will this small band of adventurers be able to stop Gerden and destroy the orb before the combination of the two destroys the world?

Alright, there's no denying this film has many problems...the movie basically came into existence to leech off the successes of the most excellent Conan the Barbarian (1982), and the lesser excellent sequel Conan the Destroyer (1984). Why they just didn't make another Conan film is beyond me, but I guess it was for the best, as, like Conan the Destroyer, this film garnered a PG rating, seriously hindering the level of violence inherent within the original Robert E. Howard stories. There is much violence and killing in this film, but it's extremely watered down, unlike Conan the Barbarian (which had an R rating, and was more faithful to the source material in more aspects than one). It's funny, but if you watch the trailer for this film, you'd think Arnold Swarzenegger was the star, as he was much more prominently displayed over Nielsen, but this is not a Conan movie. I did like some elements about the film. I thought the sets were very well done, and quite expansive. There was a few times when they seemed a bit too much, like in Queen Gerden's throne room...it was certainly suitable for an evil queen, but was it really necessary to have skeletons hanging around? I mean we know she's evil, but that seemed like overkill. The costumes were marginally well done, with the fighting scenes a bit better, specifically the swordplay (I don't think Swarzenegger understood the what it mean to go half-speed, as he seemed to really lay it on at times, swinging his large weapon, sword, that is...). The weakest part of this production has to be the script. The dialogue is so incredibly lame, and often resorts to having characters either speak the obvious, or put forth moronic questions and/or statements that made me groan. Also, the little comedic bits of dialogue didn't help either, as they were so poorly done and seemed quite unnatural and completely out of character. Someone else mentioned Nielsen's idiotic mullet, and I would agree, but I thought she did all right with the fighting sequences and the more athletic maneuvers, but the scenes where a stunt person took her place was quite obvious at times. I normally don't care much for children actors in films like this, as they invariably kill the mood, but the kid playing Prince Tarn wasn't too bad. Maybe if he had better lines, who knows? Bergman as Queen Gerden was good, but completely two dimensional and was passed off as a power hungry warmonger with sapphic tendencies. The plot was pretty straight-forward, and moved along well, but I was annoyed with the whole premise of some of the central characters learning lessons, like the young, snotty prince learning the value of humility and self-sacrifice, and that of Red Sonja, who suffered at the hands of Gerden's men at the beginning of the film, that not all men are bad and there is more to life than fighting, like love...I didn't mind that these elements were incorporated into the story, but I felt like I was being slapped in the face with it...Howard would do this in his books, but with a subtle professionalism nowhere to be seen here. Overall, the story's not so hot, the acting so-so, the costumes, scenery, special effects and fighting all pretty good, with the best element being the original musical score by Ennio Morricone...had the makers of this film had a better script and more material befitting an R rating (as in Conan the Barbarian), we might have really had something here.

The wide screen print here looks pretty good, and shows almost no signs of age or deterioration. The only special feature is an original theatrical trailer, but I really wasn't expecting much more. If you like the 2nd Conan film, you may enjoy this, but otherwise you might be better off renting instead of buying. You'll thank Crom...

Cookieman108

Ever since seeing this movie when it first came out, back in the day...I've been hooked. Above all else, it has been my favorite and so hard to find, too. So, seeing it here is definitely a great thing for me.

The movie focuses on strength, both mental and physical. An internal and external battle for the leading lady, Red Sonja who battles her way to fight Queen Gedren to avenge the deaths of her brother, sister, mother, and father. Along side of Red Sonja is notorious fighter, Kalidor. With Kalidor and two unlikely heroes, Red Sonja battles through this action/adventure five-star hit movie. The story is based on the writings of Robert E. Howard, author of Conan.

Brigitte Nielson really plays the part incredibly. Not bad for a "Rocky IV" and "Cobra" star and ex-Stallone wife, but she certainly can take on the action role. And even more impressive was Schwarzenegger (who needs no introduction) acting along side another action star, female at that.

There are several other actors worth recognition for their roles in the movie: for instance, Queen Gedren, played by Sandahl Bergman whom has played many other movies, such as "Conan the Barbarian". Falkon, played by Paul Smith who has been seen in many films like the new release: "Monsters Ball", the original "Dune", 1965's "The Great Race" and many more dating back to 1936. Ikol, played by Ronald Lacey from "Yellowbeard" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark". And let us not forget Pat Roach (Brytag) seen in an array of movies including all three Indiana Jones, "Kull the Conqueror," "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Conan the Destroyer," and "Clash of the Titans."

With this ensemble cast, how can you go wrong with the movie?

A prequel of sorts to the 'Conan' movies. The gods were listening to me when I asked for more Arnold damage! He stars in this magical treasure as Kalidor (not Conan, upsetting!). Brigitte Nielsen is the red-headed warrior and she can really kick some stern! After the death of her sister, she vows to get revenge on the evil queen. Recycling some of the Conan plot, but that is awesome! Kalidor wrestles this metal alligators in a pit, fights Sonja and defeats many evil people in a castle! I was honored to have watched such an awesome movie as this. It's a shame that this film is not on DVD and it's a crime that MGM hasn't released this yet. Arnold Schwarzenegger makes this movie worth while and oh yeah! I forgot that Ernie Reyes Jr. was in this! He's a little runt of a prince and he's in love with Sonja, but he's too much of a toddler for such a warrior! YES!

Don't even try to take this movie seriously. Just kick back and enjoy it for what it is: campy fun. It's all just silly escapism that can be highly enjoyable with some popcorn and a beverage, but hell there's nothing wrong with that!

When I first viewed this video (I won't admit how old I was) it took a long time to realize Arnold was Kalidor and not Conan. Perhaps because his other movies were a long way off from from a Barbarian film or I wanted it to be a sequel. Either way, I enjoyed this film.
Now I don't review films, however after reading some of the other reviews I had to defend Arnold. Maybe people need to be reminded that, although this movie is being released on DVD it still is a 1985 released video. The special effects were nowhere near what they are now. I'm not a history buff as I'm sure most people aren't. The exact clothing worn in an era or weapons used aren't as important as the entertainment being provided (unless they try shooting each other with rifles). I am less harsh on actors/actresses making debuts. I've never done it, but it can't be easy. As far as I'm concerned this is a good movie and I will buy it on DVD when it becomes available (anyone want to buy my video version?)

This move was a great move and addition to the two Conan parts but I do have a question if anyone can answer it. When is this movie going to come over to DVD? I have been looking forward to it and want to own it as soon as it makes the change. From the way that it appears this movie is exactly like Conan but for me personally I think that it is alot better than both of the Conans givign Arnold an edge and not so much hype.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been quoted as saying that "Red Sonja" is the worst movie he has ever been in, and has been known to punish his children by making them go to their rooms and watch it. I can see why. The film is good for a campy laugh, but it is essentially a lame follow up to the "Conan" films that were so popular. It is unsurprising to see that Dino De Laurentis was involved with making this film, as it has all his trademarks: grand scale, cheesy sets, terrible over-acting, and amazing plot contrivances.

This is (surprise!) a film about vengeance set in a swords and sorcery background. Brigitte Nielsen is Red Sonja, a master warrior out to avenge her family's deaths. She is pitted against the evil Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) who has stolen the talisman. The talisman (which is a ridiculous glowing orb) will destroy the world in 13 days if Sonja can't recover it. Along the way we pick up the supremely annoying child actor Ernie Reyes, Jr. who plays the arrogant Prince Tarn, and the Prince's aid, Falkon (Paul Smith), who has the patience of Job to deal with the brat.

There is much swordplay and padding, and many wacky characters and situations. I was especially amused by the giant purring tarantula that Gedren kept, and the metal "killing machine" that everyone gets to flop around with in a wet cave reminding me of Bela Lugosi dealing with the horrifying octopus in Ed Wood's masterwork "Bride of the Monster", the prime difference being that Lugosi could act.

Obviously there is a wooden romance between Arnold and Sonja, but lots of swordplay is involved in the courtship process. There are numerous gaffes in this film. I swear that in one ambush scene the bad guys are wearing blue jeans...if they aren't they are certainly the ancient precursors. There are also some puerile ruses from Gedren's comically-costumed magician and an epic conclusion involving a mammoth sword fight, an earthquake, a river of lava, and an exploding castle (which looks more like an oil well fire than anything).

This movie is worth the look for camp value alone: the acting is among the worst I have seen in a big budget film (especially from Nielsen and Reyes), the plot is ridiculous, the special effects are none to special, and characters are laughable. It is enjoyable from a "so bad it's good" perspective, and is relatively short, which helps deaden the pain. I recommend this movie to people who like camp classics.

At least on this one issue, I find myself in agreement with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Director Richard Fleischer derailed the Conan movie franchise by making the 1984 "Conan the Destroyer" much more of a campy adventure than John Milius did with the original 1982 "Conan the Barbarian." However, for this 1985 Conan spin-off of a Robert E. Howard inspired creation, the warrior-woman Red Sonja. In the title role is the statuesque model Brigitte Nielsen, making her film debut, with Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Kalidor, the Conan-clone who plays a pivotal supporting role in that he usually only shows up to save the film's heroine. However, given the idea that Red Sonja has been given her warrior strength to avenge the murder of her family and her own violent rape, the idea that a man has to keep bailing her own clearly runs against the character's ideology (and you just cannot ignore that sort of thing when the title character has been empowered by the gods as long as she keeps true to her vows and avoids sex).

Arnold is a more engaging character this time around, which is rather easy since nobody is as sullen as Conan, and this is the first time where you really get a sense of fun in one of his movies (his serious resume at that point was the two Conan films and the first "Terminator"). The problem is that by the time he first shows up the best part of the movie is over, and for every decent moment provided by Arnold there are three or four scenes with Ernie Reyes, Jr. as the annoying Prince Tarn, reducing the movie to something like "Home Alone" with swords. The plot for "Red Sonja" involves a quest for a giant green orb and an evil queen (Sandhal Bergman), which makes it a lot like "Conan the Destroyer." Indeed, the worst thing I can say about this sword and sorcery effort is that it made me like the Conan sequel a whole lot better, which is not whatt I was hoping for at all.

One of the reasons we are surprised by how bad of a film we are watching is that the crew includes cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno and art director Danilo Donati, who usually worked with Federico Fellini, and the music is by Ennio Morricone, who did all of the epic scores for Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns. I know that neither one of those two celebrated directors would have touched this project, but one of their assistant directors could have turned in a more competent performance that Fleischer. "Conan the Barbarian" remains the best Sword & Sorcery film to date, and with his two entries Fleischer gets the lion share of credit for sending the whole genre right done the tubes. Milius is planning a King Conan movie for 2005, so there is hope, but those faintly flickering flames have gotten really small in the last twenty years.

Love the action, the time when the movie came out I was a teenager and loved it then as i do now. A great movie that goes right along with all the conan movies!

Great movie, with great soundtrack, would of liked to of heard it remastered though. Hot chick, Arnie, whats not to like?!