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Action Cult Classic

A mercenary with a triple-bladed sword battles black magic and tyranny to reclaim a lost heritage.

THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER

A kingdom ruled by evil. A princess enslaved by passion. A warrior driven by justice.

1982 · 1h 40m · R · Action / Adventure / Fantasy · IMDB TMDB

A mercenary with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage's dangerous future when he is recruited to help a princess foil the designs of a brutal tyrant and a powerful sorcerer in conquering a land.

Quick Answer

What is The Sword and the Sorcerer about?

The Sword and the Sorcerer is a 1982 American action-adventure fantasy film directed by Albert Pyun about a mercenary with a three-bladed sword who helps a princess thwart a brutal tyrant and a powerful sorcerer to save a kingdom.

Programmer's Pick

This is sword-and-sorcery that doesn’t skimp on either: you get a resurrected warlock, a tyrant with betrayal issues, and perhaps the most ludicrously fun triple-bladed sword ever swung on screen. Albert Pyun’s feature debut says yes to cult excess, especially if it involves impalements and rebellious princesses.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In a kingdom ripe for conquest, the ruthless King Titus Cromwell seeks the help of Xusia, a long-dead sorcerer, aiming to overthrow his rival and claim the bountiful land of Ehdan. Cromwell’s pact with black magic quickly tips the scales, decimating King Richard’s forces. But alliances made by force are unstable—Cromwell soon turns on Xusia, igniting new shadows across the land. Against this backdrop of betrayal and sorcery, a mercenary wielding a notorious three-bladed sword discovers a royal lineage and is recruited by a princess intent on reclaiming her home. Schemes, battles, and fantastical weaponry set the tone for a rousing tale of rebellion and revenge.

Details & Specs

Director
Albert Pyun
Writers
John V. Stuckmeyer, Albert Pyun, Tom Karnowski
Release
1982
Runtime
1h 40m
Country
United States of America
Language
French
Also Known As
L'épée sauvage, A Espada e os Bárbaros, Cromwell, el rey de los bárbaros, La spada a tre lame, A Espada e o Feiticeiro, La espada y el hechicero, Talon im Kampf gegen das Imperium, Sværdet og troldmanden, Meč a čaroděj, Julma miekka, Oi varvaroi, Talen kardja - Harc a mágia ellen, De wraak der Barbaren, Miecz i czarnoksieznik, Det grymma svärdet, Меч и колдун, Barbarlar

Why This Matters

Despite mixed initial reviews, this sword-and-sorcery film became a box office success and later gained a cult following, marking an early directorial effort from Albert Pyun.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Albert Pyun Writers: John V. Stuckmeyer +2 more

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Why Cult

Three-Bladed Sword

The lead wields a sword with not one, not two, but three blades—an unforgettable weapon for any cult film arsenal.

Evil King Meets Black Magic

King Cromwell’s alliance with a resurrected sorcerer mixes political conquest with supernatural mayhem.

Mercenary Royal Heritage

A hardened mercenary discovers his dangerous noble legacy, adding a twist of identity to the sword fights and rebellion.

Cult Film Favorites

A fusion of torture chambers, betrayal, rebellion, and witches hits all the right cult-fantasy buttons.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was The Sword and the Sorcerer released? +

The Sword and the Sorcerer was released in 1982.

Who directed The Sword and the Sorcerer? +

The Sword and the Sorcerer was directed by Albert Pyun.

How long is The Sword and the Sorcerer? +

The Sword and the Sorcerer has a runtime of 100 minutes.

What genre is The Sword and the Sorcerer? +

The Sword and the Sorcerer is an action, adventure, and fantasy film.

How is the sorcerer Xusia brought back to life? +

Xusia is awakened from the dead by one of his worshipers at the behest of King Cromwell, who seeks his black magic for conquest.

Trailers & Clips