Beastmaster II: Through the Portals of Time (1991)

PG-13 | 110 mins | Adventure, Fantasy | 30 August 1991

Director:

Sylvio Tabet

Producer:

Sylvio Tabet

Cinematographer:

Ronn Schmidt

Editor:

Adam Bernardi

Production Designer:

Allen Jones

Production Company:

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HISTORY

The 24 Mar 1990 Screen International announced the upcoming production of the film, referred to by its working title, Beastmaster II. Principal photography was scheduled to begin May 1990 in Arizona and California. On 15 Jul 1991, Var reported Republic Pictures’ acquisition of distribution rights, along with the film’s official title Beastmaster II: Through the Portal of Time. The $7 million picture was scheduled for a 6 Sep 1991 release through New Line Cinema to twenty US markets. The prints and advertising budget was estimated at $2 million to $4 million.
       A press release from the American Humane Association stated that no animals were injured during production. Artificial animals were substituted for the ferrets, eagle, and tiger used in scenes where any kind of injury was depicted. Horses in battle scenes were trained to rear and fall, and faced no danger from the simulated avalanche.
       Reviews were mixed. While the 30 Aug 1991 LAT described the film as an “ill-advised sequel,” the 23 Sep 1991 Var predicted success as a home video rental, as was the case with its predecessor, The Beastmaster (1982, see entry).
       The character, “Admiral Binns,” is referred to as “General Binns” throughout the film.
       Opening credits are preceded by the following statement: “In the days following the death of King Zed, a darkness has fallen over the land of Arok. The evil warlord Arklon, using unholy magic, has enslaved the people. Their only hope rests with the rebel forces marshalling in the East under the leadership of Dar, the Beastmaster.”
       End credits ...

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The 24 Mar 1990 Screen International announced the upcoming production of the film, referred to by its working title, Beastmaster II. Principal photography was scheduled to begin May 1990 in Arizona and California. On 15 Jul 1991, Var reported Republic Pictures’ acquisition of distribution rights, along with the film’s official title Beastmaster II: Through the Portal of Time. The $7 million picture was scheduled for a 6 Sep 1991 release through New Line Cinema to twenty US markets. The prints and advertising budget was estimated at $2 million to $4 million.
       A press release from the American Humane Association stated that no animals were injured during production. Artificial animals were substituted for the ferrets, eagle, and tiger used in scenes where any kind of injury was depicted. Horses in battle scenes were trained to rear and fall, and faced no danger from the simulated avalanche.
       Reviews were mixed. While the 30 Aug 1991 LAT described the film as an “ill-advised sequel,” the 23 Sep 1991 Var predicted success as a home video rental, as was the case with its predecessor, The Beastmaster (1982, see entry).
       The character, “Admiral Binns,” is referred to as “General Binns” throughout the film.
       Opening credits are preceded by the following statement: “In the days following the death of King Zed, a darkness has fallen over the land of Arok. The evil warlord Arklon, using unholy magic, has enslaved the people. Their only hope rests with the rebel forces marshalling in the East under the leadership of Dar, the Beastmaster.”
       End credits include the following statement: “Special thanks to Arizona Bureau of Land Management; Budget Rent-A-Car; City of Palos Verdes; Doheny Travel; Inside Movie; Inter Video; Lake Powell Villas; Panavision of Hollywood; Paskal Lighting.”

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Hollywood Drama-Logue
29 Aug-4 Sep 1991
---
Hollywood Reporter
30 Aug 1991
p. 9, 43
Los Angeles Times
30 Aug 1991
p. 12
Screen International
24 Mar 1990
---
Variety
15 Jul 1991
---
Variety
23 Sep 1991
p. 79
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
PRODUCTION TEXT
A Sylvio Tabet Film
DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
Prod mgr
1st asst dir
2d asst dir
2d asst dir
Prod mgr-Arizona
2d 2d asst dir
Trainee asst dir
Trainee asst dir
PRODUCERS
Line prod
Exec prod
WRITERS
From a story by
From a story by
Based on characters created by
Based on characters created by
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dir of photog
1st asst cam
1st asst cam
B cam op
2d asst cam
Clapper/Loader
Still photog
Gaffer
Stephanie Blakemore
Best boy elec
Elec
Key grip
Best boy grip
Grip
Grip
ART DIRECTORS
Prod des
FILM EDITORS
Film ed
Addl ed
1st asst ed
1st asst ed
Asst ed
Asst ed
Apprentice ed
SET DECORATORS
Set dec
Leadman
Set dresser
Set dresser
Prop master
Asst props
Asst props
Asst props
Const coord
Const coord
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Lead scenic painter
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
Asst scenic
COSTUMES
Ward supv
Ward supv
Ward asst
Ward asst
Ward asst
MUSIC
Mus comp
Orig songs by
Mus eng & mixed by
Mus contractor
Mus ed
Addl orch by
Addl orch by
SOUND
Sd mixer
Supv sd ed
Supv ADR ed
Sd ed
Foley artist
Foley artist
John "Doc" Wilkinson
Rerec mixer
Mixer
Loop group
VISUAL EFFECTS
Mechanical eff by
Mechanical eff by
Creature film effects by
Eff prod, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod supv, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod supv, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod coord, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod accountant, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod accountant, M.E.L., Inc.
Prod secy, M.E.L., Inc.
Conceptual des, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff uni
1st sculptor, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Sculptor, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Sculptor, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Creature fabrication, M.E.L. makeup and creature e
Creature fabrication, M.E.L. makeup and creature e
Creature fabrication, M.E.L. makeup and creature e
Prod asst, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Prod asst, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Prod asst, M.E.L. makeup and creature eff unit
Prop master, M.E.L. mechanical & prop eff unit
Prop maker, M.E.L. mechanical & prop eff unit
Prop maker, M.E.L. mechanical & prop eff unit
Mechanical props, M.E.L. mechanical & prop eff uni
Visual eff supv, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Eff coord, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Roto anim, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Opticals, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Opt supv, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Opt supv, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Projection coord, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Projection system, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Cam op, M.E.L. visual eff unit
1st asst cam, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Miniatures, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Miniatures, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Eff grip, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Eff grip, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Eff grip, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Eff grip, M.E.L. visual eff unit
Prod asst, M.E.L. visual eff unit
MAKEUP
Makeup
Makeup asst
Hairstylist
Hair asst
Hair asst
PRODUCTION MISC
Casting
Prod coord
Prod auditor
Loc mgr
Loc mgr
Transportation coord
Transportation capt
Transportation capt
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Craft service
Financial consultant
Asst coord
Asst auditor
Asst auditor
Prod secy
Prod asst
Prod asst
Extras casting by
Animal stunt coord
Animal stunts
Animal stunts
Animal stunts
Animal stunts
Animal stunts
Animal stunts
Head trainer
Animal coord
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Horse wrangler
Ferrets bred by
Insurance provided by
Completion bond
STAND INS
Stunt coord
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Ed Adams
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
SOURCES
LITERARY
Adapted from the book The Beastmaster by Andre Norton (New York, 1959).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
SONGS
"Keep On Rockin'," written by Bill Wray & Jim Wray, published by Virgin Music/Bill Wray Music A.S.C.A.P., produced by Bill Wray, performed by Bill Wray; "Feel Like I'm Falling (In Love)," written by Bill Wray & Jim Wray, published by Virgin Music/Bill Wray Music A.S.C.A.P., produced by Bill Wray, performed by Kari Wurher; "The Fight," written by Bill Wray & Jim Wray, published by Virgin Music/Bill Wray Music A.S.C.A.P., produced by Bill Wray, performed by Bill Wray; "I Will Be Your Hero," written by Bill Wray, published by Virgin Music/Bill Wray Music A.S.C.A.P., produced by Bill Wray, performed by Bill Wray; "Hollywood Girls," written by Jerry Lambert, published by Xycom Music B.M.I, produced by Jerry Lambert, performed by Jerry Lambert; "Under The Bigtop," written by Jerry Lambert, published by Xycom Music B.M.I, produced by Jerry Lambert, performed by Jerry Lambert; "La Camparsita," written by Rodriguez, produced & published by Southern Music B.M.I., performed by Adam Bernardi & Jerry Lambert.
SONGWRITERS/COMPOSERS
+ −
SONGWRITERS/COMPOSERS
+ −
DETAILS
Alternate Titles:
Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time
Beastmaster II
Beastmaster II: Through the Portal of Time
Release Date:
30 August 1991
Premiere Information:
Los Angeles opening: 30 Aug 1991
Production Date:
began May 1990
Physical Properties:
Sound
Dolby Stereo ® in Selected Theatres
Color
Duration(in mins):
110
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Country:
United States
Language:
English
PCA No:
30923
SYNOPSIS

In the land of Arok, Dar, known as the Beastmaster for his magical ability to control animals, is taken prisoner by the evil warlord, Arklon. Dar refuses to divulge the location of rebel forces and is sentenced to death. The executioner is interrupted by Dar’s pet tiger, Ruh, while his ferrets, Podo and Kodo, chew through their master’s bonds, allowing him to defeat Arklon’s soldiers. When the warlord fights back with a magical device called the “Key of Magog,” Dar’s eagle, Sharak, tears at Arklon’s face, enabling the Beastmaster to escape. Sometime later, rebel forces are led into a narrow gorge by a treasonous witch named Lyranna. After Arklon’s army annihilates the rebels, Lyranna offers to make him the most powerful man on earth. Meanwhile, Dar encounters a deformed swamp creature who identifies herself as the sister of his late father, King Zed. She explains her appearance as the result of practicing “forbidden rituals,” and informs Dar that he has a brother, who was raised by evil high priests. The creature predicts the end of the world at his brother’s hands, unless Dar kills him before the autumn equinox. At Arklon’s fortress, Lyranna reveals a portal leading to the city of Los Angeles, California, which exists in a parallel dimension. In nearby Long Beach, California, is the Strategic Research and Development Center, which houses the neutron detonator, a weapon so terrible that its possessor could control the world. Arklon reluctantly agrees to Lyranna’s offer to secure the detonator in exchange for becoming his queen. In Los Angeles, Jackie Trent, the spoiled daughter of United States Senator Herbert ...

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In the land of Arok, Dar, known as the Beastmaster for his magical ability to control animals, is taken prisoner by the evil warlord, Arklon. Dar refuses to divulge the location of rebel forces and is sentenced to death. The executioner is interrupted by Dar’s pet tiger, Ruh, while his ferrets, Podo and Kodo, chew through their master’s bonds, allowing him to defeat Arklon’s soldiers. When the warlord fights back with a magical device called the “Key of Magog,” Dar’s eagle, Sharak, tears at Arklon’s face, enabling the Beastmaster to escape. Sometime later, rebel forces are led into a narrow gorge by a treasonous witch named Lyranna. After Arklon’s army annihilates the rebels, Lyranna offers to make him the most powerful man on earth. Meanwhile, Dar encounters a deformed swamp creature who identifies herself as the sister of his late father, King Zed. She explains her appearance as the result of practicing “forbidden rituals,” and informs Dar that he has a brother, who was raised by evil high priests. The creature predicts the end of the world at his brother’s hands, unless Dar kills him before the autumn equinox. At Arklon’s fortress, Lyranna reveals a portal leading to the city of Los Angeles, California, which exists in a parallel dimension. In nearby Long Beach, California, is the Strategic Research and Development Center, which houses the neutron detonator, a weapon so terrible that its possessor could control the world. Arklon reluctantly agrees to Lyranna’s offer to secure the detonator in exchange for becoming his queen. In Los Angeles, Jackie Trent, the spoiled daughter of United States Senator Herbert Trent, drives recklessly through the streets with two police cars in pursuit. Attempting to evade the officers, Jackie enters an alley, and all three cars pass through the portal to Arklon’s fortress. Soldiers surround the two policemen, who assume they have stumbled into a science fiction convention. When the soldiers set fire to the police cars, the officers jump back through the portal, while Jackie speeds away from the fortress. Hours later, her car runs out of fuel and she searches the wilderness for a gasoline station. After camping for the night, she is awakened by Dar and his animals. Jackie assumes Dar is a circus performer and joins him on his quest, hoping he can lead her back to the city. The next day, Arklon’s soldiers kidnap Jackie and return her to the fortress. Arklon, who now hides his scarred face behind a partial mask, explains Jackie’s presence in the parallel dimension, and promises to return her to Los Angeles if she assists him in acquiring the neutron detonator. Although Jackie knows nothing of the weapon, she falsely claims that her father can accommodate the warlord. Dar makes his way to the fortress and passes through the portal in pursuit of Jackie, Arklon, and Lyranna. The warlord notices the letter “A” embossed in the palm of Dar’s right hand, indicating they are brothers. He ruptures a gas pipe, trapping Dar behind a wall of flames while Jackie guides the two villains through the city. Dar is hospitalized after police subdue him with a Taser, and his tiger is placed in a zoo. Jackie tells Arklon and Lyranna that their strange attire is drawing unwanted attention, and convinces them to shop for new clothes. When she flees her captors, the enraged Arklon wrecks the clothing store, and police release a composite sketch of the perpetrator. Later, as Detectives Coberly and Bendowski question Dar, he sees the sketch of Arklon and escapes through a window to continue his quest. Jackie happens by and drives Dar to her home. Arklon steals the uniform of a drunken military officer and gains access to the Strategic Research and Development Center, where he is joined by Lyranna. Dar and Jackie see the uniformed warlord on a television newscast and follow him to Long Beach. Meanwhile, Arklon and Lyranna steal the weapon, unaware that they have triggered its detonation timer. Using his mindreading skills, Arklon learns of Lyranna’s plot to kill him and usurp his throne, so he abandons her in Long Beach and speeds toward the portal in a stolen jeep. Jackie and Dar give chase, accompanied by Lyranna, who offers to help defeat the warlord. Upon reaching the portal, Lyranna agrees to apprise Senator Trent of the situation, motivated by her lust for powerful men. Arklon evades capture and makes his way to the zoo. Dar and Jackie follow, guided by Sharak. The warlord shoots the eagle out of the sky with the Key of Magog, then creates a flaming crevice in the ground. Ruh, the tiger, breaks free from his cage and assists the ferrets in relieving Arklon of the detonator and the key. The brothers engage in a swordfight, which ends with Arklon falling into the flames, declaring “The world is mine!” While Dar attends to his wounded eagle, police escort Admiral Binns to the site, and he disarms the bomb with only a second to spare. When Dar and Jackie return to the portal, he bestows his ferrets on her and promises to return, now that he has possession of the key. Back in his own world, Dar encounters a group of pilgrims who gather to worship Jackie’s abandoned car, and dance to music from its stereo system.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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