Ah, the mid-90s fantasy section of the video store. A realm often nestled between booming action flicks and emerging sci-fi CGI extravaganzas. It was here you might stumble upon treasures, oddities, and ambitious attempts like 1997's Prince Valiant. Based on Hal Foster's legendary, decades-spanning comic strip known for its stunning artwork and sprawling Arthurian narratives, translating that epic feel on a likely non-epic budget was a heroic quest in itself. This particular adaptation, a German/Irish/UK co-production, serves as a fascinating time capsule of pre-Lord of the Rings fantasy filmmaking – earnest, a little rough around the edges, but undeniably brimming with a certain adventurous spirit.
A Quest of Noble Intentions
The setup is classic King Arthur fare: the legendary sword Excalibur is stolen by cunning Vikings, secretly aided by the treacherous sorceress Morgan le Fay (Joanna Lumley, clearly having an absolute blast). The kingdom is vulnerable, and it falls to the young, rather inexperienced knight-in-training, Prince Valiant (Stephen Moyer), disguised as Sir Gawain, to escort the resourceful Princess Ilene (Katherine Heigl) to safety and, hopefully, retrieve the magical blade. Along the way, they face off against Morgan's brutal accomplice Thagnar (Thomas Kretschmann) and encounter various perils typical of a medieval adventure. It’s a straightforward quest narrative, leaning heavily on familiar fantasy tropes – perhaps a bit too familiar at times, lacking the depth and unique flavour of Foster's original creation.
Swords, Sorcery, and 90s Production Values
Directed by Anthony Hickox, a filmmaker more commonly associated with stylish B-movie horror like Waxwork (1988) and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), Prince Valiant represents a notable genre shift. You can occasionally see flashes of Hickox's visual flair, particularly in some of the framing and the staging of Morgan le Fay's schemes. However, the overall production feels constrained, likely by its estimated $12-15 million budget. Filmed using the striking scenery of North Wales (including Caernarfon Castle) and Germany's renowned Studio Babelsberg, there's a tangible effort to capture a sense of medieval scale. The costumes and sets have that specific mid-90s fantasy look – colourful, sometimes bordering on theatrical, but functional in establishing the world. The practical effects and stunt work, while not groundbreaking, possess a certain grounded charm that often feels more immediate than weightless CGI creations. It’s the kind of film where you appreciate the effort, even if the seams occasionally show.
Faces Familiar and Fresh
Casting-wise, Prince Valiant is an interesting snapshot in time. Stephen Moyer, years before finding fame as Bill Compton in True Blood, brings a youthful earnestness and physicality to Valiant. He’s perhaps a bit raw, but likeable enough as the impulsive hero learning the ropes. A very young Katherine Heigl, pre-Grey's Anatomy and Judd Apatow comedies, makes for a spirited Princess Ilene, thankfully avoiding the simple damsel-in-distress trope for the most part. German actor Thomas Kretschmann, a reliable presence often cast as villains (you might recognise him from King Kong (2005) or later MCU entries), provides the necessary physical menace as Thagnar.
But let's be honest, the real scene-stealer is the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley as Morgan le Fay. Chewing scenery with infectious glee, draped in extravagant costumes, she injects a welcome dose of campy energy into the proceedings. Every moment she's on screen elevates the film's entertainment factor considerably. Add a brief but distinguished appearance by Edward Fox as King Arthur, and you have a cast that, while perhaps not perfectly suited to their iconic roles, certainly commits to the adventure.
Retro Fun Facts & Nostalgic Charm
Digging into the making of Prince Valiant reveals the challenges of adapting such a beloved strip. It aimed to be more faithful than the glossier 1954 Hollywood version starring Robert Wagner, but translating Foster's detailed panels and nuanced storytelling proved difficult within the confines of a 90-minute action-adventure film. Initial critical reception wasn't particularly kind (it currently sits at a lowly 33% on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews from the time), often citing the somewhat generic plot and uneven tone. It certainly wasn't a box office smash, fading relatively quickly from cinemas and finding its longer life, like so many films of its ilk, on home video.
Yet, watching it today, especially through the warm glow of nostalgia, reveals a certain charm. It’s undeniably a product of its time – less gritty and complex than the fantasy epics that would follow in the 2000s, but possessing an unpretentious sincerity. It’s the kind of movie you might have rented on a whim, drawn by the promise of sword fights and medieval fantasy, and found yourself reasonably entertained for an afternoon. Remember that feeling? Discovering a film that wasn't perfect, but delivered enough swashbuckling fun to make it worthwhile.
The Verdict
Prince Valiant (1997) isn't a lost masterpiece of fantasy cinema. Its script is predictable, some performances are a bit shaky, and the budget limitations are apparent. However, it boasts some beautiful locations, committed performances (especially from a gleefully wicked Joanna Lumley), and a core sense of adventure that’s hard to entirely dislike. It captures that specific mid-90s flavour of earnest, slightly goofy fantasy filmmaking before the genre got a major blockbuster makeover. For fans of the era, or those looking for an undemanding slice of Arthurian-lite adventure, it offers a certain nostalgic appeal.
Rating: 5/10
The rating reflects a film that’s technically flawed and often derivative, falling short of its source material's grandeur. However, its saving graces – Lumley’s performance, the genuine effort in production design despite constraints, and its undeniable status as a 90s video store curio – prevent it from being a complete loss. It's watchable, occasionally fun, but ultimately forgettable for anyone not specifically seeking out this type of nostalgic fare.
It may not have reclaimed Excalibur's cinematic magic, but Prince Valiant remains a curious and sometimes charming footnote in the quest-log of 90s fantasy adventures – a VHS memory of a time when even a slightly wobbly sword-and-sorcery tale could offer a welcome escape.