Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34353 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-08
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Polish
• Subtitled in: English, German, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish
• Running time: 103 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
In the closing paragraph of his 1996 review of Dragonheart, noted critic Roger Ebert summed up this adventurous fantasy quite nicely: "While no reasonable person over the age of 12 would presumably be able to take it seriously, there is nevertheless a light-hearted joy to it, a cheerfulness, an insouciance, that recalls the days when movies were content to be fun." That's precisely the quality that makes Dragonheart so appealing, despite the fact that it didn't exactly take flight and breathe fire at the box office. The movie takes itself seriously without sacrificing the wit and cleverness that make it so entertaining.

It's about the last of the great dragon slayers, Bowen (Dennis Quaid), who teams up with the last of the great dragons, Draco (voiced by Sean Connery), after they realise that killing each other would put them both out of business! So they devise a bogus dragon-slaying act that's a huge hit as they tour from village to village. Later, they must rouse the peasantry against the loutish Prince Einon (David Thewlis), whose life was once saved by Draco, but who now violates the "Old Code" of honour with a ruthless reign of terror. As Ebert rightly noted, Dragonheart is no masterpiece, and its story (which was originally conceived as a darker, more serious drama) isn't likely to capture everyone's heart (dragon or otherwise). But it's full of exciting action, witty dialogue and gallant heroism, and in the presentation of a realistic talking dragon it's a milestone in computer-generated special effects, far surpassing the breakthroughs of Jurassic Park three years earlier. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews

Brilliant
I bought this DVD as I'm a Sean Connery fan. I had spare vouchers left over from Christmas and I saw this in the local HMV. I didn't know anything about it and thought I would just add it to the "bank" of Connery films I have. I watched it yesterday and loved it!

Dennis Quaid as the Dragonslayer is great casting. David Thewlis as the Brit who's a baddie is bearable. Julie Christie as the Queen is regally stunning. Dina Meyer as Kara was the obligatory female interest. But Connery, as the voice of Draco, is magnificent.

I watched the "Making Of" section on the DVD and the idea of taking Connery's facial expressions and matching them with Draco's was fabulous. I don't quite know how this was technically done, I just know I loved the results. Draco was compassionate, angry, reticent, mischevious, sexy, and melancholic. Somehow you just BELIEVED that this dragon was real.

This film was watched by me (40 ish) and my two nephews aged 15 and 12. All of us loved it. It was just so appealing. I didn't even mind getting laughed at when I cried at the end!

I'd really recommend this film to everyone.

contrary to the other reviews...
i found this film absolutely fantastic for those of us that like a good mythical plot.. in my view it is a must see..

the plot of a knight, and a dragon bound to an evil king... in my view fantastic :)

An original idea, moderately well presented
This film is very watchable. There are a few distinct plot twists and I've always had a weakness for films staring Sean Connery (who puts in another great performance).

The film is set in medievel times, is the tale of a Dragon, a Knight and a King. With, of course, the obligatory love interest.

I give it 3 stars principally for originality and the performances of Sean and Dennis Quaid. A fun watch, and definately a welcome addition to my DVD shelf