The Beastmaster (1982)

The Beastmaster (1982) is a cult classic fantasy-adventure film directed by Don Coscarelli. The movie stars Marc Singer as Dar, the titular Beastmaster, alongside Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn, and John Amos. It became a beloved entry in the sword-and-sorcery genre of the 1980s, standing out for its unique premise of a hero who can communicate with animals.
Set in a mystical, ancient world, the film follows Dar (Marc Singer), the son of a king, who is born with the unique ability to telepathically communicate with and control animals. When Dar’s family is murdered by the evil high priest Maax (Rip Torn), Dar is raised in a small village, unaware of his royal lineage. After his village is destroyed by Maax’s forces, Dar embarks on a quest for revenge, accompanied by a group of animal companions—a black tiger named Ruh, two ferrets named Kodo and Podo, and an eagle named Sharak.
As Dar journeys through the treacherous lands, he encounters new allies, including the warrior Seth (John Amos) and the beautiful slave girl Kiri (Tanya Roberts), who assist him in his fight against Maax. Together, they face off against Maax’s monstrous minions and uncover dark secrets about Dar’s past, culminating in a final battle to free the land from Maax’s tyranny.