The Magic Sword (1962 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Magic Sword |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Bert I. Gordon |
| Produced by | Bert I. Gordon |
| Written by | Bernard Schoenfeld |
| Starring | Basil Rathbone Estelle Winwood Anne Helm Gary Lockwood Liam Sullivan Maila Nurmi |
| Music by | Richard Markowitz |
| Cinematography | Nicolas Vogel Paul Vogel |
| Editing by | Harry Gerstad |
| Studio | Bert I. Gordon Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | April 1962 |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Magic Sword is a 1962 American adventure fantasy film. It is also known by other names like St. George and the Dragon. This movie was made for children and is based on the old story of Saint George and the Dragon. It tells a tale of bravery, magic, and a quest to save a princess.
Contents
The Story of the Magic Sword
George's Quest Begins
The movie starts with George, a young man raised by Sybil. Sybil is an older sorceress. George's parents passed away when he was a baby. He has fallen in love with Princess Helene.
One day, a powerful wizard named Lodac kidnaps Helene. Lodac tells the King he plans to feed Helene to his pet dragon in seven days. This is Lodac's revenge because his sister died at the same age Helene is now. George wants to rescue Helene right away. Sybil thinks he is too young for such a dangerous mission. She tries to distract him with a magic sword, a special horse, and strong armor. She also shows him six knights frozen by magic. These knights will help him when he turns 21.
But George is impatient. He tricks Sybil and locks her up. Then, he takes the magic items and wakes up the knights. He sets off on his adventure.
Facing the Seven Curses
George and his knights go to the King. George insists on going to Lodac's castle to save Helene. Another knight, Sir Branton, had offered to go. But George wants to be the one to save her. The King promises that whoever rescues Helene can marry her. He also promises half of his kingdom.
Lodac's castle is protected by seven curses. First, George and his group meet a giant ogre. The ogre kills Sir Ulrich from Germany and Sir Pedro from Spain. George bravely fights and kills the ogre. Later, George tries to save Sir Anthony from Italy from a swamp. But Branton, who is secretly working with Lodac, pushes George into the swamp. Anthony dies, but George survives thanks to his magic sword.
Branton's Betrayal
Branton meets with Lodac in secret. It turns out Branton has Lodac's magic ring. Without it, Lodac's powers are weak. Lodac kidnapped Helene to make Branton look like a hero. In return, Branton would give back the ring.
Sir Dennis from France walks by. Lodac sets a trap for him. A beautiful Frenchwoman named Mignonette distracts Sir Dennis. She then turns into an ugly witch and attacks him. Luckily, George saves Sir Dennis with his magic shield.
Lodac soon realizes that George is getting help from magic. He contacts Sybil and makes fun of her powers. Sybil tries to cast a spell to help George. But she accidentally takes away all of George's magic powers instead.
The Final Challenges
Sir Dennis and Sir James from Scotland go ahead to scout. They both die. Branton then leads George and Sir Patrick from Ireland into a trap. Branton reveals he is working with Lodac. He traps them in a cave with dangerous green ghosts. Sir Patrick uses his strong faith to help George escape, but Patrick loses his own life.
George sneaks into Lodac's castle. He finds Helene and rescues her. But then he is captured. Lodac gives Helene (who is actually the ugly witch in disguise) to Branton. Once Lodac gets his ring back, he uses magic to put Branton's head on a wall plaque. George is tied up, but he escapes with the help of some tiny prisoners.
Sybil finally arrives. She remembers the spell that gives George his magic powers back. This helps George defeat the two-headed dragon and save the real Helene. Sybil also steals Lodac's ring while he is busy. Lodac then threatens George and Helene with his seventh curse: himself. But Sybil transforms into a large panther and kills Lodac. Helene and George get married. The six knights are brought back to life, and George's happiness is complete.
Meet the Cast
- Basil Rathbone as Lodac
- Estelle Winwood as Sybil
- Gary Lockwood as Sir George
- Anne Helm as Princess Helene
- Liam Sullivan as Sir Branton
- Danielle De Metz as Mignonette
- Merritt Stone as The King
- Jacques Gallo as Sir Dennis of France
- David Cross as Sir Pedro of Spain
- John Mauldin as Sir Patrick of Ireland
- Taldo Kenyon as Sir Anthony of Italy
- Angus Duncan as Sir James of Scotland
- Leroy Johnson as Sir Ulrich of Germany
- Marlene Callahan as Princess Grace
- Nick Bon Tempi as Left Siamese Twin
- Paul Bon Tempi as Right Siamese Twin
- Ann Graves as Princess Laura
- Lorrie Richards as Anne
- Jack Kosslyn as The Ogre
- Maila Nurmi as The Hag / Sorceress
- Ted Finn as 1st Dwarf
- Angelo Rossitto as 2nd Dwarf
Comic Book Version
- Dell Movie Classic: The Magic Sword (September 1962)
