“I could never have imagined it would be so difficult”: 42 years ago, this film remains an absolute classic of heroic fantasy

Fantasy is mostly crowded with bits or even frankly Z, many of them were created because of the Conan barbarian, which gave a serious stimulus to the genre that was so far insignificant. In this mass of the products, some have effectively managed to get out of the game to keep it memorable. Among them: Dar The Invincible, which came out with us in 1983 and made by Don Coscarelli.

The courage of an eagle, the strength of the tiger and the power of God

After signing a remarkable terrorist film (and becoming a cult), a fantasy, Coscarelli had greater ambitions for his next film. Then he set his sights on the novel of science fiction The wizard of the beast. Mixing John Carter’s approach to Edgar Rice Burrows with Flash Gordon, this novel is written by some Andre Norton, who in fact finds a productive author on behalf of Alice Mary Norton.

But making a science fiction film is expensive, for many directors who intellectually make the elements of the initial story in a more or less well-defined period. A kind of fantasy bronze age whose mythology has been distributed.

“Finally, Dar Invincible is more from the mythological butterfum, the genre that I love, especially Hercules Steve ReevesOr Macalist Saga “ Tells the director. “These films often tell stories where a solid fellow, lonely warrior holds rallies against the oppressors.

We also recalled the Japanese samurai films, heroism, and the sense of respect for their characters. I also have to admit that we borrowed from animal production, Walt Disney’s humor and emotions that convey them. “(1)

The story is Dar, the son of the king, who intended to be destroyed by the tyrant of the forces of evil, according to his prophecy. Before he was born, he opens a man who takes him to his small village and reinforces like a son. The adult, his small village and his adoption family are destroyed by the Tyrannic Army.

Only Survivor, he continues the adventure to take revenge and become a fighter who meets his way to allies, including animals (Ferrets, Eagle, Panther), with which he communicates with a gift, telepathy.

“As soon as the contracts were signed, the conflict with the producer has rapidly developed”

Finding funds for DAR, as invincible, found that it was a cross path for Don Coscarelli. “I would never think it would be so difficult. Because there was still a festival such as the Sandden that promoted meetings between professionals. We went to meet them. Recalls the director.

He will still be able to reunite $ 9 million, which will take care of as much as possible to make the world of his film careful and trustworthy. Therefore, especially the long preprocessment. Before choosing a talent for the film. He still offers the services of Stanley Kubrick, John Alkoti’s cameraman, which we are obliged to photograph the orange Mekanik, Bar Lindon and Shine.

In Dari’s shoes, Mark Singer, a classic training actress who is already undergoing a thirty role in her CV, most of them on television. Physical and sports, he seems to be perfectly playing the role in which he really participates.

If it is not that the actress will continue to regularly shoot the director’s authority during a scuting shooting that will maintain a tense relationship. Not to mention the pressure of the film producer, Silvio Tabet, who went to the back of the director or even the leader. “As soon as the contracts were signed, the conflict with the producer has rapidly developed” Recalls Coscarel. “We know a lot of concern and disagreement with him.”

Although it began to Barbaros Conan, Dar Invincible will be affected by John Millius’s masterpiece, a few weeks before it. The opportunist was taxed, even if it is obviously plagiarism, which cannot be fake.

Its results will be very different in the box office: Conan has introduced $ 80 million (and even an additional $ 300 million, thanks to VHS renting great success), and Dar Invincible has returned only $ 14 million with its internal operation. However, thanks to VHS, he will win his cult aura.

If Coscarelli’s film is not a masterpiece, if only because of the obvious lack of charisma of the actress (still by Schwarzenegger, who wants to …) and some really cheap / kitsch effects, Dar remains extremely handsome film. It is also an opportunity to admire Tanya Roberts in the role of plastic lime; The role that will bring him success because he will allow him to get involved in James Bond’s danger three years later.

* (1) All quotes are removed from the excellent brochure “The sword: a trip to the Great Barbarianism”Written by Mark Tulek and accompanied by a wonderful 4K publication of the film in ESC.