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If there’s anyone who understands fantasy, it’s the iconic George RR Martin and these are his 10 favorite films within the genre.
Nowadays, few names are synonymous with a genre at the level that George RR Martin reached. When talking about “fantasy”it’s hard not to think about the universe he created with “The Chronicles of ice and Fire”which would give rise to the popular series HBO “Game of Thrones”.
With a years-long career that spans not only literature such as televisionMartin is a great admirer of the best that is done in this fantastic world and for the The Daily Beastpresented his ten favorite fantasy films, discussing what makes them so special and unique.
In designing this list, the author established some criteria, since “fantasy” is a term that encompasses several titles, “I decided it would be best to exclude all animated films. Otherwise, the list could very well have been dominated by Disney’s classic versions of famous fairy tales: “Snow White”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Pinocchio” It is “The Little Mermaid”. Martin also excluded the “horror movies” as I consider these to deserve their own list.
These are the iconic George RR Martin’s favorite fantasy films:
10. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), DE STEVEN SPIELBERG
In 1936, the archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is tasked by the army with locating the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis find it first.
Firstly, George RR Martin argues that we are indeed facing a fantasy film, “Yes, of course it is a fantasy film. Unless one believes that the Ark of the Covenant actually has the power to melt the Nazis.”
For Martin, this is the best chapter of the sagahighlighting that “The argument of Lawrence Kasdan is much stronger than any of the sequels, the concept was more refreshing and Harrison Ford seemed to have fun playing Indy.” The writer also praises Karen Allen As Marion, “She was the yin to Indy’s yang, the pepper to his salt, and the chemistry between them was palpable. The protagonists of the sequels were completely forgettable in comparison. In fact, I’ve already forgotten most of them.”
9. THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1946), DE JEAN COCTEAU
Belle’s story ends in the Monster’s castle, which guarantees that her heart is good, even if her appearance says otherwise.
For Martin, this classic “remains the definitive version of history” which would become popularized in the 90s by Disney.
O screenwriter also highlights the work’s unforgettable images, “At a time when portraying real blood on screen was frowned upon, Cocteau made the Monster’s hands smoke whenever he returned from a hunt, a lovely and poetic image that remains powerful to this day. His frightening castle, with human arms reaching out from the walls to grab torches, also remains in the memory.”
8. PAN’S LABYRINTH (2006), DE GUILLERMO DEL TORO
Following Spain’s bloody civil war, young Ofélia (Ivana Baquero) enters a world of unimaginable cruelty when he goes to live in Navarre, with his new stepfather, a tyrannical and fascist military man with orders to eliminate the Territory’s rebels. Alone, Ofelia ends up coming across a labyrinth where she meets several magical creatures and the faun Pan (Doug Jones), who tells her that she is, in fact, a legendary lost princess who needs to complete three dangerous missions to claim her immortality.
Martin highlights that the film is full of great performances, but it is “the creatures of the maze and the fairies that make this film so memorable. Del Toro’s visual style is as vivid and disturbing as it is unique. His fairies are as far away from him as possible Tinker Bellhis faun is a creature like no other we’ve seen before, and his eyeless “Pale Man” would fit right in with some of his friends. Clive Barker.”
O writer also recognizes that the work perfectly weaves together the three levels it works on: fantasy, political thriller and the domestic drama.
As for the reasons for such a low position, George RR Martin reveals some suspicion about whether it is really a fantasy film, “we can easily interpret everything that Ofelia sees, hears and experiences in the labyrinth as the dreams and delusions of a young woman with problems. In that case, this becomes a study in madness…” and not fantasy.
7. DARK CITY – MYSTERIOUS CITY (1998), DE ALEX PROYAS
In a city where the night is eternal, John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) is pursued by a police inspector (William Hurt), suspected of murder. Without fully understanding the situation he finds himself in, due to the amnesia that plagues him, he begins to seek answers to the enigmas of his world, being helped by Dr. Daniel P. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland).
George RR Martin considers this film as a “masterpiece” difficult to characterize that would fit into the top 10 of noir, horror or Science fiction.
In a “grotesque, gothic and totally immersive” film where the cast is evenly oiled, the author believes that the “visuals They are the real stars.”
6. MONTY PYTHON AND THE SACRED GRUB (1975), DE TERRY GILLIAM & TERRY JONES
King Arthur (Graham Chapman) sets out in search of knights to accompany him on a historic journey: the search for the Holy grail. Several surreal characters then appear in this comedy that satirizes several historical events that occurred in the Middle Ages.
“What’s scary about “Holly Grail” is that it may very well be the best version of Question of Great Britain already filmed” states George RR Martin, arguing that “The King Arthur was not well served by the films.”
Martin fondly remembers the iconic stutters and characters that the group created such as “Bravo Sir Robin. The Black Knight. The knights who say Ni. The French on the walls.”
For the writerwe are facing a “goofy” film but that is what he likes so much about it.
5. DRAGON SLAYER (1981), DE MATTHEW ROBBINS
A king makes a pact with a fierce dragon, in exchange for virgins not attacking the place. Galen (Peter MacNicol), aspiring sorcerer, and his master Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) decide to kill the dragon in order to protect the next person to be sacrificed: the king’s daughter.
Martin highlights that this underrated film “is a co-production between Disney and Paramount, but it stands head and shoulders above most live-actions of Disney at the time.”
Regarding the antagonist, Martin says that “Vermithrax Perjorative is the best dragon ever put on film (the dragons in “Reign of Fire” are in second place) and also has the coolest dragon name ever.” The author of “A Song of Ice and Fire” also classifies Ralph Richardson as being on “the same level as Frank Morgan as the best movie wizard of all time (until Ian McKellen having put on the pointy hat)”
The writer also says that the film “is surprisingly dark and offers a few twists and turns along the way.”
4. THE FALCON WOMAN (1985), BY RICHARD DONNER
When the Bishop of Aquila (John Wood) discovers that his beloved, Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) is in love with a knight (Rutger Hauer), decides to place a curse on the couple: during the day Isabeau transforms into a falcon and at night the knight takes the form of a wolf. This way, the couple will never be able to give themselves to each other.. The only hope for the loving couple is their friend Phillipe (Matthew Broderick), known as Rat, the only one who managed to escape the walls of Aquila.
For George RR Martin, this is an example of fantasy romantic “well done”, highlighting that its protagonists are both at the height of their talents and beauty. “Haunting, evocative, sweet, sad and magical”, Martin considers that we are looking at a work that is “beautifully acted, directed and filmed”.
However, the scriptwriter is not gentle when it comes to the soundtrack of Andrew Powell & Philharmonia Orchestra which he considers “one of the greatest soundtracks ever made for a film, a mess that tries to combine the sound cheesy from the 80s by Alan Parsons with Gregorian chants and music from the London Philharmonic.”, something that Martin considers almost ruins the film.
3. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939), DE VICTOR FLEMING
When Dorothy and her little dog Toto are caught in a tornado that takes them to the magical land of ozDorothy goes in search of a great wizard so that he can help her return home.
The screenwriter also highlights the film’s large cast, made up of Judy GarlandRay Bolger, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton, Frank Morgan. The author also reflects on the incalculable impact of the work on our culture, highlighting that several phrases or expressions such as “Follow the yellow brick road” have become part of the canon.
For Martin, “Films don’t get much longer classics than this.”
two. THE PRINCESS PROMISED (1987), DE ROB REINER
The beautiful princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) is kidnapped and held against her will in order to marry the hateful Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Her childhood sweetheart Westley (Cary Elwes) who is now a pirate trying to save her.
Martin highlights that the original work of William Goldman it was already a delight and with himself handling the adaptation, he managed to capture all the charm and intelligence of the tale on screen, supported by a cast of stars including Andre the Giant, Billy Crystal or Mandy Patinkin as “everyone’s favorite swordsman”.
Martin concludes “It would have been inconceivable not to put this on the list”.
1. LORD OF THE RINGS – ORIGINAL TRILOGY, BY PETER JACKSON
Peter Jackson commanded “The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001), “The Two Towers” (2002) and “The Return of the King” (2003), the film trilogy based on the work of the same name by JRR Tolkien. The three films were shot simultaneously in New Zealand, grossed around three billion dollars in total and were awarded 17 Oscarsamong the 30 nominations they received.
Martin begins by discussing the idea of considering all three as one “long film”, “I suppose I could list them as my Top 3, but they are really one long film (very long if you watch the extended cuts with their footage extras, which are my favorite versions), just as Tolkien’s “trilogy” was actually one long novel. divided into three parts by decree of the publisher”.
The screenwriter also mentions how the version refuted the idea that Tolkien’s text was impossible to film, arguing that “this was as faithful and reverent an adaptation as one could hope for”.
About the cast, “Elijah Wood is very good as Frodo and Sean Astin even better as Sam. Viggo Mortensen It didn’t fit my mental image of Strider, but it soon won me over anyway. Sean Bean played an incredible Boromir and Ian McKellen was the Gandalf perfect.”
George RR Martin concludes: “If you don’t like these films, you don’t like fantasy.”
And you, are you a fan of George RR Martin? Which of these fantasy films will you enjoy watching or rewatching?