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:

In addition to her credited role in the mask as "The Hag," Vampira - as Maila Nurmi - also played (uncredited) the role of the sorceress who kidnaps Princess Helene.

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 "Svengoolie: The Magic Sword" (2005)

Still magical despite no budget

More or less, and arguably, the granddaddy (if you don;t count Harryhausen) of all those great 80s fantasy flicks like WILLOW and LEGEND and LABYRINTH. Not everything works here, but it's worth a look. The director was a sort of a poor man's William Castle, best known for his 1950s sci-fi schlock. See it for some hammy acting, some of the cheesiest special effects on record, and incredibly cardboard sets. It's a hoot!