Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans

Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans (1987)

Runtime: 88 minutes

Directed by: Jim Wynorski

Starring: John Terlsky, Monique Gabrielle, John La Zar, Toni Naples, Maria Socas

From: New Horizons/Aries Film International 

Incredibly silly nonsense, this was… yet after viewing the 2025 Deathstalker remake, I learned that was more in line w/ Duel of the Titans than the original, which I now know is correct. The director of this was Jim Wynorski; naturally, not only are there plenty of topless women and a gratuitous scene of women mud wrestling, humor is at the forefront. Yes, the acting and storytelling are craptastic, but I’m sure that is not at the forefront for those viewing a goofy send-up of the sword & sandal genre.

Deathstalker teams up with Reena the Seer-actually, Evie the Princess-to do battle against an evil sorcerer… is there any other kind? Jarek created an evil clone of Evie, you see, to put on the throne as he banished the real Evie. Stalker and Evie engage in adventures & misadventures as they journey to the castle and overthrow that SOB. Now, the movie technically is pretty bad as already mentioned; Monique Gabrielle isn’t a master thespian by any regards yet was still amiable in dual roles. John Terlesky isn’t ripped and tanned like Rick Hill was in the role. On the other hand, Terlesky was a better actor. In addition, John La Zar as Jarek was the best in terms of acting craft.

Some won’t care for a massively mindless picture like this-no hate will be cast their way. At least last night, I was able to laugh with and at the movie… the simple dialogue, the overall DIY nature, the odd score that nevertheless works, the long scene where Stalker gets his butt kicked in a wrestling ring by the tall lady who wrestled as Queen Kong in GLOW. The role of women in this sequel has aged far better than in the original-the Amazon tribe are painted with a positive brush. There’s only one short scene where men force themselves on women-a far cry from all the sexual assaults in the original. There is more than one wisecrack over Deathstalker having an erection! Don’t worry, the movie plays it lightly instead of in a gross fashion.

Heck, there’s even a blooper reel during the end credits-those elicited some chuckles. Those that like 80’s B-action might have a ball w/ Deathstalker II.