The Beastmaster
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The Beastmaster is a 1982 fantasy film directed by Don Coscarelli that starred Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, John Amos and Rip Torn. It is often dubbed a B-movie and cult film. It is also a Canadian television series that aired from 1999 to 2002. Tenuously based on characters created by Andre Norton in her seminal science fiction novel The Beast Master.
The Movie
The plot tells the story of Dar, the son of a king, who is hunted from birth and raised by a humble family. After Dar reaches adulthood, his adopted father is murdered, and Dar realizes that he can talk to animals. Following this discovery, Dar begins his quest for revenge. He is aided on his quest by two ferrets, an eagle, and a black tiger.
The film was a critical and box office failure upon its 1982 release, grossing just three million dollars against a nine million budget. However, it subsequently received significant cable airplay, notably HBO and TBS -- leading many to dub the latter "The Beastmaster Station." It became a TV mainstay and viewer favorite.
As such, the movie eventually spawned two sequels: Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991), and Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus (1996, TV only). Both films are considered inferior compared to the original. A special feature, The Making of Beastmaster 2, was also produced in 1991.
The TV Series
The show starts with same plot: Dar (Daniel Goddard)is the last survivor of his tribe. He wanders the lands seeking for his lost loved one, protecting the weaks and the animals. His friend Tao (Jackson Raine), a fearful, psychology-attracted young man, helps him in his quest.