The Dragon Slayer

About This Movie

The Dragon Slayer is this quirky animation from 1956 that feels like a relic of its time. It’s directed by Bill Melendez, who later found fame with the Peanuts specials, although you wouldn’t guess it from the animation style here. The pacing is brisk, and the story takes you through an amusingly simplistic adventure of Sir Evans battling dragons, all in Technicolor. The film was actually commissioned by Du Pont, which gives it an unusual backdrop—it’s more about a corporate message wrapped in a whimsical tale than a traditional narrative. Still, there's something charming about how it mixes educational content with a fantasy theme, and you can't help but appreciate the effort that went into the hand-drawn animation. It’s one of those oddities that sparks conversation among collectors.

The Dragon Slayer is quite scarce, not often discussed among mainstream animated features, which makes it a little gem for dedicated collectors. It was released in a limited number of prints, and most copies have faded over time. The unique history behind its production, commissioned for Du Pont, adds a layer of intrigue that appeals to collectors interested in corporate films or the evolution of animation. Given its niche status and the curiosity surrounding its director, fans of animation history would likely find it a worthwhile pursuit.