Barbarian Queen 1985

Fantasy

Adventure

Runtime

72 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Katt Shea

Made by

Rodeo Productions

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Barbarian Queen Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Barbarian Queen (1985). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

On the eve of a royal wedding, Queen Amethea, Lana Clarkson, looks forward to a union with Prince Argan, Frank Zagarino. The celebration is cut short when Arrakur’s forces launch a brutal raid on the peaceful village. In the chaos, Amethea’s younger sister, Taramis Dawn Dunlap, is assaulted, and Argan and Taramis are carried off along with several others, while the rest of the villagers are slain. The three women who manage to survive—the queen herself, her handmaiden Estrild, Katt Shea, and the fearless fighter Tiniara Susana Traverso—resolve to infiltrate Arrakur’s city, free the captives, and strike back against tyranny, no matter the cost.

As the trio travels toward danger, they stumble upon a small outpost of Arrakur’s forces. The women eliminate the sentinels and discover Taramis held prisoner in the camp, seemingly traumatized by what she has endured. The mood shifts from pursuit to rescue as they recognize the scale of the task ahead and the price of failure. In parallel, they meet parts of an underground resistance that agrees to help them slip past the city gates, though it refuses to join an open rebellion against Arrakur’s rule. Inside Arrakur’s domain, Amethea discovers that Argan and the other men from her village are being forced to fight as gladiators in the central arena, a cruel form of control designed to crush every spark of resistance. Taramis keeps close to Arrakur, following him into the palace, while Amethea and Tiniara—still determined—work to reunite with Estrild and complete their mission.

Estrild’s fate takes a dark turn as she becomes part of the arena’s brutal hierarchy, a defiant thread of hope within a harsh system. Amethea and Tiniara are separately interrogated; Estrild fights to stay alive and to keep faith with the plan to liberate them all. Amethea endures a brutal dungeon ordeal, left stripped and bound, but she remains steadfast, plotting her next move while the castle tightens around them. In a tense moment, Arrakur and Taramis—who poses as a consenting participant in the palace’s power games—press for information about the rebels who helped Amethea. The ventilation of secrets is a dangerous game, and time is running out.

Meanwhile, Argan, the other gladiators, and Estrild rally beneath the surface, preparing an uprising from within the arena. The plan comes to a head when the rebels, now blending with the gladiators, strike during the climactic melee. Amethea faces Arrakur in a one-on-one duel, a brutal test of skill and nerve. Though she is eventually momentarily disarmed, the fight reaches a turning point when Taramis—driven by loyalty and a willingness to act—stabs Arrakur in the back, ending his tyranny. In the aftermath, Amethea and Argan are finally reunited, and the city erupts in celebration as the oppressor’s grip is shattered and a new dawn begins for the liberated community.

Barbarian Queen Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Barbarian Queen (1985) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Wedding preparations in the barbarian village

The village buzzes with preparations for the wedding of Queen Amethea to Prince Argan. It is a moment of peace and celebration before the coming storm. The mood is shattered when trouble finally comes to their doors.

Day of the wedding preparations Barbarian village

The raid and the prisoners

Lord Arrakur's forces attack the village, slaughtering many of the villagers and taking prisoners. Amethea's younger sister Taramis is gang-raped, and Prince Argan along with Taramis is captured along with others. The surviving villagers are forced to flee or hide as chaos unfolds.

During the raid Barbarian village

Amethea, Estrild and Tiniara vow to rescue

The three surviving women decide to embark on a dangerous journey to Arrakur's city to rescue the prisoners and seek revenge. They set out with a mix of resolve and wary hope. The road ahead is perilous and uncertain.

After the attack From the village toward Arrakur's city

Ambush at a small Arrakur encampment

Amethea and Tiniara ambush and kill a small group of Arrakur's sentries and discover Taramis captive inside the camp. They learn that the sister is now a prisoner in the tyrant's grip. The rescue party takes stock of their small victory and grim mission.

Shortly after leaving the village Encampment near village outskirts

Underground resistance agrees to help enter the city

On the outskirts they encounter members of an underground resistance who agree to smuggle Amethea's party into the city. They refuse to take up arms, choosing to focus on the rescue mission. The alliance offers a glimmer of hope in a hostile land.

Before infiltrating the city Outskirts of Arrakur's realm

Infiltration into Arrakur's city

With the resistance's help, the trio slips into Arrakur's city and begins their covert mission to locate the prisoners and find Taramis. The plan hinges on stealth, not force, as they work to move unseen through the capital. The dangers multiply as they near their targets.

Shortly after the smuggling agreement Arrakur's city gates

Revealed arena labor and Taramis pursuit

Inside the city, Amethea learns that Argan and the other men are forced to fight as gladiators in the arena. Taramis spots Arrakur and follows him, while Amethea and Tiniara search for Taramis amid the city’s bustle. The search tightens around them as danger closes in.

Inside the city after infiltration City arena and streets

Estrild attacked and captured

Estrild is assaulted by two guards and dragged deeper into the tyrant's world. Amethea and Tiniara attempt to defend her, but they are overpowered and taken prisoner themselves. The trio's fortunes hang in the balance as they are corralled toward the palace.

During the early palace episodes Castle outskirts / palace area

Arrakur and Taramis infiltrate the fortress

Arrakur leads a procession into his palace and recognizes Taramis from the camp, allowing her to accompany him inside. Amethea and Tiniara are confronted, but their attempts to defend Estrild fail and they are captured. Estrild remains in the palace complex in the gladiator's shadow world.

Morning after capture Arrakur's palace

Estrild joins the gladiators' harem

Estrild becomes part of the gladiators' harem and is reunited with Argan, telling him about the failed rescue attempt. Her position within the arena's power structure grows as she navigates the brutal environment. The group becomes a potential focal point for revolt.

Inside the palace arena Gladiators' complex / arena

Interrogation and torture

Amethea and Tiniara are interrogated separately; Tiniara dies during an escape attempt. Amethea is sent to the dungeon, stripped and bound in preparation for torture, her resolve hardening in the face of torment.

Evening after capture Dungeon

Amethea resists and escapes the dungeon

The torturer attempts to rape Amethea, but she resists and overpowers him, ultimately flinging him into a pool of acid and escaping. Her escape marks a turning point as she reunites with Estrild and the rebels.

Night of capture Dungeon

Reunion and rebel alliance

Amethea and Estrild find the underground rebels and plan a broader overthrow of Arrakur's forces led by Argan during the gladiator games. The alliance brings together former prisoners and gladiators in a common cause.

Soon after escape Castle outskirts / rebel hideout

Gladiator uprising and assault on Arrakur

Amethea, Estrild, and the rebels join with the gladiators to attack Arrakur's forces during the games. The siege erupts in the arena and surrounding courtyards, signaling a decisive shift in control of the city.

During the gladiator games City center and arena

Final duel and liberation

Amethea faces Arrakur in a one-on-one battle and is ultimately disarmed. In a final act of defiance, Taramis stabs Arrakur in the back, killing him. The city celebrates liberation as Amethea and Argan are reunited.

Final battle and aftermath Arrakur's palace and arena

Barbarian Queen Characters

Explore all characters from Barbarian Queen (1985). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Amethea (Lana Clarkson)

Queen of a peaceful barbarian village, she leads the rescue effort after the assault and the abduction of prisoners. She embodies decisive leadership, tactical thinking, and unwavering determination to free her people. Her arc centers on transforming personal resolve into political rebellion and reclaiming her realm.

👑 Royalty 🗡️ Warrior 💪 Leadership

Estrild (Katt Shea)

Amethea's handmaiden and a survivor of the village massacre. She endures captivity and becomes a practical, loyal ally in the rescue mission. Her presence sustains morale and helps drive the plan forward, highlighting loyalty and resilience.

🤝 Loyalty 🗡️ Resilience

Taramis (Dawn Dunlap)

Amethea's sister who is traumatized by the attack and captured. Her arc explores the impact of trauma on choices, including moments of dangerous complicity and sacrifice. She ultimately participates in the uprising, including a pivotal act against Arrakur.

💔 Trauma Survivor 🗡️ Ally

Argan (Frank Zagarino)

Prince captured by Arrakur and forced to fight as a gladiator. He becomes a pivotal ally to Amethea and Estrild, sharing in the plan to overthrow the tyrant. His captivity underscores the cruelty of Arrakur's regime and the cost of rebellion.

👑 Royalty 🗡️ Gladiator

Arrakur (Arman Chapman)

Tyrant ruler who abducts villagers and uses the arena to enforce power. His cruelty drives the protagonists to organize and resist, culminating in a climactic battle to end his reign.

👑 Tyranny ⚔️ Oppressor

Tiniara (Susana Traverso)

A female warrior who joins the resistance and fights alongside Amethea and Estrild. She helps coordinate the assault and sacrifices herself during an escape attempt to aid the liberation effort.

⚔️ Warrior Woman 🛡️ Ally

Barbarian Queen Settings

Learn where and when Barbarian Queen (1985) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

Barbarian village, Arrakur's city, gladiatorial arena

A barbarian village with a tight-knit community becomes the target of Arrakur's forces during wedding preparations. The attack devastates the settlement, leaving survivors to flee. The narrative then shifts to Arrakur's city, where captives are forced into gladiatorial combat in the central arena and the rebels plot a liberation.

🗺️ Fantasy world ⚔️ War-torn city

Barbarian Queen Themes

Discover the main themes in Barbarian Queen (1985). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

👑

Female Empowerment

Amethea, Estrild, and Tiniara lead a mission to rescue prisoners and overthrow a tyrant, showcasing leadership and courage in the face of oppression. The trio channels resilience, strategy, and solidarity to reclaim their home. The story centers on women taking charge in a male-dominated world and redefining authority through action.

⚔️

Resistance

An underground resistance helps smuggle the heroines into the city and supports the uprising from the shadows. Inside Arrakur's realm, the plan unfolds during the arena confrontation, culminating in a coordinated assault against the tyrant. The tale emphasizes collective effort over solitary heroics.

🗡️

Violence and Survival

The narrative foregrounds brutal violence, including captivity, torture, and gladiatorial brutality, as the price of tyranny. The characters endure trauma and coercion but fight back to preserve dignity and freedom. Survival hinges on courage, quick thinking, and brutal resolve.

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Barbarian Queen Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Barbarian Queen (1985). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the shadow of the Roman Empire, a quiet village is shattered when imperial troops descend, scattering its people to slavery and death. From the ruins emerge three determined women: Amethea, the village queen burdened with leadership; Estrild, her steadfast handmaiden whose loyalty runs deep; and Tiniara, a fierce fighter whose resolve is forged in the heat of battle. United by loss and a shared oath, they set out on a perilous journey to reclaim the lives stolen from their home.

Their path leads them to the heart of the empire—a sprawling Roman city where the weight of conquest is felt in every stone‑cobbled street. Here the trio discovers an underground network of dissenters, a hidden current of resistance that offers both aid and new questions about the cost of revolt. The atmosphere crackles with tension, balancing the oppressive might of the occupiers against the quiet strength of those who dare to whisper rebellion.

As the women weave through the city’s secret passages and hidden markets, the story swells with a tone that is both gritty and hopeful. Their camaraderie shines amid looming danger, each character bringing a distinct spark: regal determination, unshakable devotion, and unyielding bravery. Together they grapple with the enormity of their quest—to free the captives, to strike back at tyranny, and to ignite the faint ember of hope that still burns beneath the empire’s iron grip.

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