Beastmaster (TV series)

Beastmaster is an Australian-Canadian-American sword and sorcery television series inspired by the 1959 science fiction novel The Beast Master by American author Alice "Andre" Norton. The series re-imagines the adventures of the Beastmaster based upon the main protagonist character Dar from the 1982 MGM theatrical film, The Beastmaster, albeit with alternate allies and villains. The series aired 66 episodes over three complete seasons from 1999 to 2002. It was produced by Coote/Hayes Productions.

The series was nominated an Open Craft Television Award in the category of cinematography by the Australian Film Institute in 2000, and for a Saturn Award for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films in 2001.

Premise

Dar, as one of only two survivors of the Sula tribe, wanders the world using his unique gift of communication with animals to protect people and animals oppressed by the Terrons, who massacred his own people.

Dar's animal companions include a black eagle[1] named Sharak, who is older than the rocks from the Great Age of Ice, a million years ago. "A sorcerer took away his ability to die. He's gained a lot of wisdom over time."[3] His pair of ferrets are named Kodo (the female who "stays home") and Podo (the male who "is always eating"); "they were a part of a tribe of their own race, but got thrown out for being mischievous thieves, troublemakers."[3] Dar's Bengal tiger friend Ruh, which means "headstrong and powerful", understands who is innocent and who is guilty and helps protect Dar's companions.[3]

From those who Dar has helped, his gift has earned him the title "Beastmaster" and his growing fame has spread, drawing attention from the Sorceress, who would use him for her own ends to ingratiate herself to powerful leaders such as the Terron King, Zad. Dar seeks out his fellow Sula tribeswoman and lost loved Kyra. Along the way, he rescues the scholarly medicine man, Tao, whose name means "The Way."[3] Despite Tao's fearful nature, Tao is drawn to Dar and agrees to help in his quest. The orphaned warrior Arina also joins. Despite having her own initial agenda, she eventually develops a faithful friendship.

Meanwhile, the world is changing. Civilization is advancing, technology is gaining ground slowly, the old orders of magic and sorcery are fading, and the world is threatened by the supernatural being Balcifer, the Dark One. Dar is revealed to be the son of King Eldar, who was destroyed by Balcifer. To defeat, Balcifer Dar must locate and reunite his family, who have been turned into animals to hide them from Balcifer, in the Crystal Arc.

Balcifer's agent on Earth is King Zad, who is the first King of the Terrons, a savage tribe that enslaves and pillages at will. Later, when the tribe is destroyed by King Voden leading a group of Viking-like northerners, Zad re-emerges as the King of Xincha, the city at the center of the world, and Tao's former home. Zad has deposed Voden, who fled into the wilderness at the end of the second season. There is a contrast between the crude savage cruelty of King Zad and the refined, insane evil genius of King Voden. Zad emerges from the contest more civilized, albeit still, a cruel character.

The series is action-oriented in the beginning, but as the first season progresses, pacifistic and naturalist tones emerge.

Episodes

Cast and characters

In addition to the main protagonists, the series features Monika Schnarre as the Sorceress, apprentice to the Ancient One, played by Grahame Bond, Emilie de Ravin as the Forest Demon named Curupira, and Sam Healy as Iara, the Demon of Water and Serpent (Curupira and Iara are inspired by the creatures of the same name from Brazilian mythology). The regular human enemy of Dar, King Zad, is played by Steven Grives. Marc Singer, the Beastmaster from the original film, appears in the third season as Dartanus, the Spirit Warrior who helps Dar on his quest.

Syndication

The series was shown on the UK FTA satellite channel Zone Horror (Sky EPG No. 321).

In the United States, syndication rights are held by Lionsgate Television.

Home releases

ADV Films released all three seasons of Beastmaster on DVD in Region 1 (USA and Canada) as separate DVD sets for each season. Season 3 was released on 18 November 2003.[7] Each set has six DVDs with 22 episodes per season and extras. The three seasons were also released as Beastmaster – The Complete Collection[8] (5 August 2008). Licensing problems between ADV Films and Tribune Entertainment (owner of Beastmaster) caused these DVD sets to become rare soon after release.[9]

Alliance Home Entertainment has released all three seasons of Beastmaster on DVD in Canada.

Awards and nominations

! scope="row" | 2000 ! scope="row" | 2001

• -

• Open Craft Television Award
• Cinematography
• Mark Wareham (Episode: "The Last Unicorn")
• Nominated
• [13]
• -

• Saturn Award
• Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series
• The Beastmaster (Alliance Atlantis)
• Nominated
• [14]

External links

• Beastmaster official site. Archived from the original on 30 November 2004.
• Beastmaster official site (Syfy). Archived from the original on 14 December 2004.
• Beastmaster at AustLit