Deathstalker (1983 film)

Deathstalker, also known as El cazador de la muerte, is a 1983 Argentine-American sword and sorcery film directed by James Sbardellati (credited as John Watson), and starring Rick Hill, Barbi Benton, Bernard Erhard and Lana Clarkson.

[4][5] The warrior Deathstalker is sent by a witch on a quest to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword, two of which are held by the wicked sorcerer Munkar.

During the brawl, Oghris has the chance to draw the sword and kill Deathstalker but chooses to fight fairly and ultimately loses.

[8] Director James Sbardellati had shot the notorious "additional rape sequences" for Corman in Humanoids from the Deep.

[10] The Los Angeles Times noted that the film was "funny on purpose" and "pleasantly silly", while also praising its "brisk direction".

[11] Conversely, The Boston Globe called it "a cauldron brimming with stale filmmaking, stone-faced acting and primitive editing.

[12] The film's commercial success encouraged Roger Corman and Argentinian producer-director Hector Olivera to collaborate again to produce Barbarian Queen, with Lana Clarkson in the title role.

[1] In March 2024, it was announced that a Deathstalker reboot was in the works from Canadian director Steven Kostanski, with veteran action star Daniel Bernhardt taking over the titular role.

Berserker Gang, a genre film company co-founded by musician Saul "Slash" Hudson, is a partner in the production.

[16] In late 2023, Vault Comics announced an eponymous series based on the Deathstalker property, which served as a teaser for the aforementioned reboot.

Producer Slash and director Kostanski are joined by Tim Seeley, Jim Terry and Kurt Michael Russell on the creative team.