Hehe Ferrets

The Beastmaster (1982)

Starring: Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn
Written by: Don Coscarelli, Paul Pepperman, Andre Norton (novel)
Directed by: Don Coscarelli

Beasts. Kodo and Podo. There was a time when a movie could be made about a man who wears a loincloth and travels with a pair of ferrets, a black panther, a hawk, and a stupid hot chick, equally half naked (the chick) and you’d have a huge cult success and everyone would love you. Come to think of it, that’s just a damn fine premise. But that’s my point I guess? It didn’t matter so much that Rip Torn kinda hammed up the evil wizard part, or that The Beastmaster was kind of a dork, or that Jon Amos from Roots looked a bit silly. Who cares? This is classic vintage barbarian drama action fun, and many other adjectives that I haven’t even thought of.

The story is original, the scenery is excellent, the animals are well done, aside from a few obvious animatronics. The hairstyles are a bit 80’s, but that’s the most glaring anachronism. Acting is decent but not spectacular, and some of the dialogue is a bit clunky. The action and the sense of humor make up for what it lacks.

B