User Reviews

I have spent the last 5 years in the entertainment business and most recently find myself working for the company that made this movie, which is a REAL pity, because I like these folks, I just can't believe ANYONE could possibly make anything as bad as this?!!!! This was crap from every possible angle. From camera work to dialogue to acting to costumes and production design was one of the worst films I have ever seen! The actors in this film looked like they had been taken straight off of a porn that was being shot in the San Fernando Valley and put on a set with an even less talented crew.

I just can't get over the fact that I am sitting on some of the best material I have ever read and contacts within the industry that could help me make my dream a reality and have hit every roadblock possible? Yet the folks behind this spectacle of a film have no problems putting it together and in fact, sleep well after it is released.

Life, what a trip!

All Charlton Heston needed to do for his participation in this film was to show up, record his voice for his few scenes of narration, go home, wait for the paycheck to arrive and get his Union insurance renewed. Other than that, it's basically adults playing dress up, someone showing up with a camera and filming this ridiculous fantasy that is basically a big screen variation of "Xena: Warrior Princess", and I do not mean this as a compliment.

Fans of "Ryan's Hope" and "General Hospital" will recognize Ron Hale as the evil king, and even with the worst of the writing that he had on those two soap operas, nothing can top the hideous script and direction that he has here. Patrick Cassidy is the title character, and I'm not sure even what he's supposed to be doing. It seems to be a contest between most of the men to prove that they have bigger breasts than the women, and it's also a contest as to who can recite their lines the worst.

One of the most hysterical scenes has Cassidy escaping from his enemies in a castle, unfortunately aided by some strategically placed awnings that get him out. The special effects truly are horrible, looking like light coming out of expensive toys, or perhaps a magnifying glass used to expand the size of laser lights. The actors seem far too modern ('90s style) for their parts, a travesty because even some of the worst of the 50's and 60's fantasy films at least the actors look like they were of their time. The film also has very weird lighting makes it look like it was filmed in sepia, but that also makes it look dark and grainy. Not even unintentionally funny, this just had me rolling my eyes from the moment it began.

I suppose THE LORD PROTECTOR is an example of the fantasy genre that existed in America before the advent of Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS. It's utter rubbish, in other words. The film is barely above the level of your average indie and involves lots of costumed characters running around in the woods and spouting diabolical dialogue. It seems to be aimed at kids and yet has highbrow aims at times, but the only thing it is is laughable. Charlton Heston and Olivia Hussey contribute some minor voice work but you do wonder why they agreed to take part given the quality.

Cheesy? Yes. Cliché? Sure. Serious? Not a chance. But, that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed. It's made-for-TV quality, from the script to the special effects, but the characters are fun, and the actors obviously enjoyed playing their parts, which makes it entertaining. There are a few interesting touches that actually make me wish there was more information on the world, such as the almost technological nature to the magic, and the character who's hand has a mind of its own. It's a great family film, too; my husband, 15-year-old daughter, and I all enjoyed it. Sure, I like deep, well-done productions, and sure, this is, really, nothing more than fluff. But, it's entertaining fluff, we laughed and had fun watching it, and that's what counts.