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If you thinkRed Sonjais a cinematic low for Arnold Schwarzenegger, hold onto your popcorn! Helmed by Richard Fleischer and penned by Clive Exton and George MacDonald Fraser, this 1985 flick might not have snagged any Oscars, but it does offer a buffet of campy fun and over-the-top sword fights.
Fans of the Austrian Oak, however, argue that this sword-and-sorcery movie isn’t even close to his worst film. That dubious honor goes toHercules in New York(1970), the actor’s debut flick.
Schwarzenegger’s first big screen outing, directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, has been widely panned. The movie’s reputation is so poor that fans often scratch their heads, baffled by how the actor went from this flop to a superstar. One especially puzzled viewer even asked, “How did he become a star?”
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blunt Take onRed Sonja
When it comes toArnold Schwarzenegger’s filmography, it’s clear thatThe Terminatorstar isn’t exactly known for his subtlety or artistic finesse. His movies often trade in highbrow for high kicks and over-the-top special effects.
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Among his many cinematic endeavors, 1985’sRed Sonjastands out as a particularly unimpressive entry—so much so that even the actor himself has had a bone to pick with it. Schwarzenegger, 77, hasn’t sugarcoated his feelings when it comes to this movie. He’s gone on recordcallingit the “worst film”he’s ever made.
With a meager $6.9 million box office haul against a hefty $17.9 million budget, the film was a financial flop (Box Office Mojo), and critics didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for it either.Red Sonjagot aRotten Tomatoesscore of 21%, and critics weren’t shy about calling it“dull, poorly directed”,and—yes—badly miscast.
The actor’s disdain for the film is so strong that he’s jokingly admitted to using it as a form of parental discipline. Schwarzenegger quipped (viaFar Out Magazine):
When my kids get out of line, they’re sent to their rooms and forced to watch Red Sonja 10 times. I never had too much trouble with them.
Despite its troubled history and Schwarzenegger’s personal gripes, Red Sonjahas earned its stripes with fans. Some say his debut film, Hercules in New York (1970), truly takes the cake for being a tough pill to swallow.
Fans Weigh In: IsRed SonjaBetter ThanHercules in New York?
Hercules in New York, directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman in his directorial debut, is a low-budget fantasy work where Arnold Schwarzenegger, fresh from his acting apprenticeship, plays the titular hero.
And yes, the actor’s thick Austrian accent was so thick it wasdubbedover by another actor.
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Reviews for this 1970 film were also not that warm, with a meager 14% onRotten Tomatoesand a cringe-worthy 3.3/10 onIMDb. Schwarzenegger himself once recalled his first foray into film with a chuckle (viaForbes):
The producers hired an acting coach and a dialogue coach, but two weeks with them couldn’t make up for my lack of English and lack of experience. … I couldn’t even understand all the sentences in the script. When they edited the film, they dubbed another actor’s voice over mine, because my accent was too thick for anybody to understand.
So, whileRed Sonjamight not be the pinnacle of Schwarzenegger’s career, it’s at least not wearing the ‘Worst Movie Ever’ crown. For that particular privilege, you’ll have to dive headfirst into the bewildering world ofHercules in New York. Fans aptly summed it up:
In a nutshell, if you’re on the hunt for a film that’s so gloriously terrible it’s a hoot,Hercules in New Yorkis your go-to. Meanwhile,Red Sonjamay not be a masterpiece, but it’s a far cry from the bottom of the barrel.
Red Sonjais available to rent on Apple TV. Meanwhile,Hercules in New Yorkis currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
