The Magic Sword (1962)

Director:

Bert I. Gordon

Writers:

Bert I. Gordon (story)
Bernard C. Schoenfeld (screenplay)

Release Date:

April 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Drama

Tagline:

Battling the 7 Deadly Curses!

Plot:

The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, goes on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.

Plot Keywords:

Princess | Knight | Curse | Magic Sword | Wizard

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Basil Rathbone	...	Lodac
Estelle Winwood	...	Sybil
Gary Lockwood	...	Sir George
Anne Helm	...	Princess Helene
Liam Sullivan	...	Sir Branton
Danielle De Metz	...	Mignonette
Merritt Stone	...	King
Jacques Gallo	...	Sir Dennis of France
David Cross	...	Sir Pedro of Spain
John Mauldin	...	Sir Patrick of Ireland
Taldo Kenyon	...	Sir Anthony of Italy
Angus Duncan	...	Sir James of Scotland
Leroy Johnson	...	Sir Ulrich of Germany
Marlene Callahan	...	Princess Grace
Nick Bon Tempi	...	Left Siamese Twin

Also Known As:

St. George and the Dragon
St. George and the Seven Curses
The Seven Curses of Lodac (International: English title)
The Sorceror's Curse (UK) (video title)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

France:U | Australia:G | Finland:(Banned) | USA:Approved (PCA #19908)

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bert I. Gordon Productions

Trivia:

Stuntman/actor Leroy Johnson (Sir Ulrich of Germany) had his dialog dubbed by voice specialist Paul Frees.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the pinhead henchman drops the cage of little people, they are seen completely escaping; yet a moment later they are seen escaping again from a different angle.

Quotes:

Lodac: Take Sir George to the dungeon.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Magic Sword (#5.11)" (1992)

Good cheap fun

I saw this film at a matinée in 1962 when I was seven. I remembered it over the years as 70 minutes of pure excitement. I watched it again on DVD with my kids. Yes, it's low budget. Yes, it's got cheesy special effects by today's standards. Yes, it's got a corny plot and weak acting in some of the characters. Yet, I found it to have charm and my kids were just as enthralled as I was 43 years ago when I suspended my disbelief in the dark of the Saturday matinée. This film is, in its genre, a minor classic. Further, Basil Rathbone as the heavy is very good in the waning years of his life and career--much better than Torin Thatcher who played similar "heavy" roles in similar adventure movies.