Film Synopsis
The Beast and the Magic Sword (1983) follows a cursed werewolf from Europe who travels to far-off lands to find a mystical cure for his lifelong affliction, consulting powerful sorcerers and seeking a fabled enchanted silver blade that may release him. Along his journey he faces hostile forces, mythical obstacles and supernatural threats while ancient legends and foreign rites shape his quest. This horror-fantasy adventure weaves lycanthropic terror with sword-and-sorcery quest themes in a dramatic medieval setting.
Critical Perspective
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Arguably Paul Naschy’s most unjustly neglected film, where both the Japanese samurai and European Gothic elements gel to exciting, delirious effect. It looks handsome, boasts impressive performances from its Japanese cast, and contains numerous showstopper scenes.
Gavin Baddeley, Frightfest Guide: Werewolf Movies (FAB Press, 2019) -
Arguably the most ambitious of all the werewolf films [Paul Naschy] would ever make. … The spectacular decimation of the brothel and its inhabitants by Waldemar, the battle between Kian and the sorceress in the abandoned temple and various other sequences show just how truly inspired and inspiring fantasy cinema can be at its best.
Troy Howarth, Human Beasts: The Films of Paul Naschy (WK Books, 2018)
The Beast and the Magic Sword Blu-ray Editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Mondo Macabro BD-ALL/US 2020 |
|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn | |
| La sonrisa del lobo (The Smile of the Wolf) - Interview with Director/Writer/Actor Paul Naschy | |
| Interview with Author Gavin Baddeley | |
| Interview with Director/Writer/Actor Paul Naschy | |
| Theatrical Trailer |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Mondo Macabro’s “Limited Edition” Blu-ray includes a 12-page booklet with writing by Richard Harland Smith (“To Far Off Zipangu... A Werewolf in Japan”) and six double-sided art cards. Reissued as a standard edition without booklet and cards (2020/02/11).
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Collector’s Guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
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La sonrisa del lobo (The Smile of the Wolf) (46:22) -
Interview with Author Gavin Baddeley (32:12) -
Interview with Director/Writer/Actor Paul Naschy (13:36)
| Editions |
Mondo Macabro BD 2020
|
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn Mondo Macabro BD |
| La sonrisa del lobo (The Smile of the Wolf) - Interview with Director/Writer/Actor Paul Naschy Mondo Macabro BD | |
| Interview with Author Gavin Baddeley Mondo Macabro BD | |
| Interview with Director/Writer/Actor Paul Naschy Mondo Macabro BD | |
| Theatrical Trailer Mondo Macabro BD |