Beyond the Glaive: Story Arc and Themes of Krull
The Hero's Journey of Planet Krull: Plot Synopsis & Narrative Analysis
Directed by Peter Yates and written by Stanford Sherman, Krull (1983) is an ambitious high-fantasy sci-fi film. Released during the post-Star Wars fantasy boom, it combines classical hero’s-journey mythology with space opera aesthetics, resulting in a unique "sword-and-planet" narrative.
Plot Synopsis
1. The Invasion & The Broken Wedding
An evil, galaxy-conquering entity known as The Beast arrives on the peaceful planet of Krull aboard a mountain-like spaceship called the Black Fortress. To defeat the Beast's monstrous cybernetic soldiers (the Slayers), two rival human kingdoms attempt to forge a political alliance by marrying Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) and Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony).
Before the magical wedding ritual can be completed, the Slayers attack. Both kings are slaughtered, the armies are devastated, Princess Lyssa is kidnapped by the Beast, and Colwyn is left for dead.
2. The Quest & The Glaive
Colwyn is rescued and nursed back to health by Ynyr "the Old One" (Freddie Jones). Ynyr reveals that Colwyn—now the rightful king—can rescue Lyssa and defeat the Beast if he retrieves the Glaive, an ancient, five-bladed magical throwing star. Colwyn scales a high mountain and retrieves the Glaive from a chamber of molten lava.
3. Gathering the Fellowship
Finding the Black Fortress is nearly impossible because it teleports to a new location on the planet every morning at sunrise. As Colwyn and Ynyr set out to find its next location, they recruit a band of misfits and allies:
A band of escaped convicts led by the cynical Torquil (Alun Armstrong), featuring notable early roles for Liam Neeson (Kegan) and Robbie Coltrane (Rhun).
Ergo the Magnificent (David Battley), a bumbling, shape-shifting wizard.
Rell (Bernard Bresslaw), a tragic Cyclops whose species made a bargain with the Beast and was cursed to foresee the exact time of their own death.
The Emerald Seer (John Welsh) and his young apprentice Titch (Graham McGrath).
4. The Widow of the Web & Fire Mares
After the Beast's magic repeatedly thwarts the group's attempts to locate the Black Fortress, Ynyr journeys alone into the lair of the Crystal Spider to consult The Widow of the Web (Francesca Annis)—an exiled enchantress who was once Ynyr's lover. She gives Ynyr the location of the Fortress at the cost of her own life. Ynyr returns to the group and reveals the location just before dying.
Because the Black Fortress is thousands of leagues away and will move again at sunrise, the fellowship captures legendary Fire Mares—wild, flying horses that travel at incredible speeds, leaving trails of fire behind them.
5. Assault on the Black Fortress & Climax
The heroes ride the Fire Mares through the air and reach the Black Fortress before sunrise. During the breach, many of the companions—including Rell the Cyclops and several bandits—sacrificially lay down their lives so Colwyn can push forward.
Colwyn reaches the inner sanctum where the Beast holds Lyssa. Colwyn hurls the Glaive at the Beast, mortally wounding it, but the weapon becomes trapped in the creature's body. Left weaponless against the monstrous entity, Colwyn and Lyssa complete their unfinished wedding ritual right on the battlefield, exchanging the hand-held flame. Powered by the physical manifestation of their love, they unleash a massive column of fire, burning the Beast to ash.
The surviving heroes escape as the Black Fortress collapses and explodes into deep space, leaving Colwyn and Lyssa to rule the united world of Krull.
Key Themes & Narrative Analysis
1. Hybrid Genre (Science Fantasy)
Rather than strictly adhering to medieval fantasy or hard sci-fi, Krull intentionally blends both. The villain operates from a giant spaceship, and his Slayers wield energy-blaster pikes, yet the heroes rely on prophecy, magical weapons, shape-shifting, and ancient curses.
2. The Power of Love Over Destiny
The film frames love as an actual, physical force rather than just an emotion. The opening prophecy dictates that their union will produce a child destined to rule the galaxy. Ultimately, it is not the magical Glaive alone that slays the Beast, but the completed wedding ritual and the bond of flame shared between Colwyn and Lyssa.
3. Sacrifice and Redemption
The central thrust of the middle act relies on sacrificial heroism. The convicts choose to fight for a cause greater than their own freedom. Rell accepts his predetermined death to save his friends, and the Widow of the Web pays for her past sins with her life so Ynyr can guide the young King.
4. The MacGuffin Subversion (The Glaive)
Despite being the primary marketing focus and central icon of the film, the Glaive functions as a classic MacGuffin. Colwyn spends the entire story acquiring and holding onto it, only to use it once during the final fight. The story ultimately subverts expectations by demonstrating that a magic weapon is secondary to human courage, loyalty, and unity.
