Best Fantasy Film (1975-1999)
While fantasy films have existed almost as long as cinema, the genre cast a particularly potent spell on the movies of the 1970s and especially the 1980s. Studios needed new horizons for adventure films, and bigger budgets led to awe-inspiring tales of warriors and wizards, magic and dragons. Fans of high fantasy films were awash in epic tales in the last quarter of the 20th Century. So strap on your shield and sandals as the Great Pop Culture Debate begins its quest to name the Best Fantasy Film from 1975 to 1999.
Movies discussed: The NeverEnding Story, Ladyhawke, The Princess Bride, The Hobbit, Legend, Masters of the Universe, The Last Unicorn, Labyrinth, Willow, The Beastmaster, The Black Cauldron, Conan the Destroyer, Clash of the Titans, Army of Darkness, Excalibur, The Dark Crystal
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, and Michael Schwarz as they discuss 16 of the most fantastical movies from the end of the 20th Century.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: The NeverEnding Story (1984) (1) vs. Ladyhawke (1985) (4)
Match-Up 2: The Princess Bride (1987) (3) vs. The Hobbit (1977) (2)
Match-Up 3: Legend (1985) (1) vs. Masters of the Universe (1987) (4)
Match-Up 4: The Last Unicorn (1982) (3) vs. Labyrinth (1986) (2)
Match-Up 5: Willow (1988) (1) vs. The Beastmaster (1982) (4)
Match-Up 6: The Black Cauldron (1985) (3) vs. Conan the Destroyer (1984) (2)
Match-Up 7: Clash of the Titans (1981) (1) vs. Army of Darkness (1992) (4)
Match-Up 8: Excalibur (1981) (3) vs. The Dark Crystal (1982) (2)
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz
Producer: Derek Mekita
Editor: Bob Erlenback
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
