This 1981 TV movie inspired many a magic bow in the D&D sessions
that followed. Everyone wanted a Heartbow that could fire exploding
arrows, be used as a club that zapped anyone it touched, and even had
the power to shove objects. Yeah, that's the bow for me.
The story follows Toran of Malveel, Prince of the Hawk Clan, who was forced to flee for his life after the death of his father. He had been framed for the murder. With his last words, Toran's father sent him to find Lazar-Sa, a great magician and wise teacher. Only by the efforts of Mak, the current bearer of the Heartbow, was Toran able to escape. It comes as little surprise that Mak must transfer the bow to Toran, a transfer that kills the old ranger. Alone, Toran continues to run for his life. However, a hawk is often watching and at one point declares itself an avatar of Lazar-Sa. The hawk says he must go to Kemal where he will be tested. As the hawk flies off, a feather drops and, by happy coincidence, turns into a dozen arrows to replenish Toran's depleted supply. Sweet!
Estra the bikini-clad sorceress also seeks Lazar-Sa but for different reasons. She believes that Lazar-Sa is responsible for her mother's death. In fact, her mother confirms it when Estra communes with her. Though Toran's grandfather did the deed, it was Lazar-Sa who pushed him to it. So, Estra follows Toran, prepared to act when the Hawk clansman should find the wizard. However, she is a bit conflicted since she finds herself attracted to the handsome prince. Another strange thing about Estra was her magic. She could conjure animals - she had a horse to ride, a crow to spy, a panther, and a snake - and commune with her dead mother but in combat she used a long knife. When she confronted Lazar-Sa, she intended to throw a javelin at him. Apparently, her magic is no good for combat.
Slant the Drushan from Drushmar is met along the way. He is a gambler, rogue, and thief. He initially wants the Heartbow for himself - for profit, not as a weapon - but soon settles into a companion role as there is profit in following this do-gooder archer who has little interest in the wealth generated by his actions. The best part about Slant was the tiny dagger on his hat.
Gar, known as the Snake Master or the Dark One, is chasing Toran. He has a band of snake men - thus his title - as his followers and they hiss menacingly at just about everyone. Sadly, by the end of the show, he has lost all his snake men. During one confrontation with Toran, Gar takes an arrow which disables his right arm. Luckily, in a later encounter, he recovers a magic gauntlet that fits nicely and revives the arm. Where the Heartbow has a red glowing jewel, the gauntlet has a blue one.
The show was a pilot for a series that never followed. The plan must have been for Toran to be tested by Lazar-Sa each week with Estra and Slant as questionable allies and Gar the Draikian always on their heels. That sounds like a fun series.
Unfortunately, the production quality is mediocre. Too often, the special effect of choice is to use the film negatives to give everything a backwards look, usually accompanied by a wash of color – blue or red. Early on, there was stock footage of Roman soldiers on the march - in negative, of course - to show the power of the Draikian Empire. We never see more than a score of soldiers after that. This world is full of fog and mist, reminding me of Hawk the Slayer. Maybe all fantasy worlds of the early 80s were beset by mist. It was the Mist Age of Fantasy, a sad fall from the Golden Age. The acting was disappointing. Slant was the best of the bunch, proving to be a very convincing and endearing rogue. Toran and Estra were flat and had almost no chemistry. Still, great fun to watch after all these years.
The story follows Toran of Malveel, Prince of the Hawk Clan, who was forced to flee for his life after the death of his father. He had been framed for the murder. With his last words, Toran's father sent him to find Lazar-Sa, a great magician and wise teacher. Only by the efforts of Mak, the current bearer of the Heartbow, was Toran able to escape. It comes as little surprise that Mak must transfer the bow to Toran, a transfer that kills the old ranger. Alone, Toran continues to run for his life. However, a hawk is often watching and at one point declares itself an avatar of Lazar-Sa. The hawk says he must go to Kemal where he will be tested. As the hawk flies off, a feather drops and, by happy coincidence, turns into a dozen arrows to replenish Toran's depleted supply. Sweet!
Estra the bikini-clad sorceress also seeks Lazar-Sa but for different reasons. She believes that Lazar-Sa is responsible for her mother's death. In fact, her mother confirms it when Estra communes with her. Though Toran's grandfather did the deed, it was Lazar-Sa who pushed him to it. So, Estra follows Toran, prepared to act when the Hawk clansman should find the wizard. However, she is a bit conflicted since she finds herself attracted to the handsome prince. Another strange thing about Estra was her magic. She could conjure animals - she had a horse to ride, a crow to spy, a panther, and a snake - and commune with her dead mother but in combat she used a long knife. When she confronted Lazar-Sa, she intended to throw a javelin at him. Apparently, her magic is no good for combat.
Slant the Drushan from Drushmar is met along the way. He is a gambler, rogue, and thief. He initially wants the Heartbow for himself - for profit, not as a weapon - but soon settles into a companion role as there is profit in following this do-gooder archer who has little interest in the wealth generated by his actions. The best part about Slant was the tiny dagger on his hat.
Gar, known as the Snake Master or the Dark One, is chasing Toran. He has a band of snake men - thus his title - as his followers and they hiss menacingly at just about everyone. Sadly, by the end of the show, he has lost all his snake men. During one confrontation with Toran, Gar takes an arrow which disables his right arm. Luckily, in a later encounter, he recovers a magic gauntlet that fits nicely and revives the arm. Where the Heartbow has a red glowing jewel, the gauntlet has a blue one.
The show was a pilot for a series that never followed. The plan must have been for Toran to be tested by Lazar-Sa each week with Estra and Slant as questionable allies and Gar the Draikian always on their heels. That sounds like a fun series.
Unfortunately, the production quality is mediocre. Too often, the special effect of choice is to use the film negatives to give everything a backwards look, usually accompanied by a wash of color – blue or red. Early on, there was stock footage of Roman soldiers on the march - in negative, of course - to show the power of the Draikian Empire. We never see more than a score of soldiers after that. This world is full of fog and mist, reminding me of Hawk the Slayer. Maybe all fantasy worlds of the early 80s were beset by mist. It was the Mist Age of Fantasy, a sad fall from the Golden Age. The acting was disappointing. Slant was the best of the bunch, proving to be a very convincing and endearing rogue. Toran and Estra were flat and had almost no chemistry. Still, great fun to watch after all these years.
The cast were largely unknowns. George Kennedy was the biggest star here. He played Toran's father, Brakus, a role for which he is not suited. Just as well he died in the opening act. Richard Moll had a tiny part as a bovine creature. Being 6'8" is a useful attribute for getting gigs in fantasy films. Kabir Bedi - a big star in India - played Gar the Draikian.
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