MovieChat Forums > Krull (1983) Discussion > Tried to force success with marketing bl...

Tried to force success with marketing blitz

posted 4 years ago by Oblivioid (1513)
5 replies | jump to latest

There was a Krull board game, Krull card game, Krull arcade game, and a Krull Atari 2600 game. All released to coincide with the Film's theatrical release. I wouldn't be surprised to find out there was Krull Underoos set also. Or Krull bed sheets and blanket.

The movie itself is not very good. It's not the worst fantasy you've ever seen, but it doesn't excel in anything. I find there is entirely too many marketed products for the movie to match its popularity. I think this was the plan of marketing, to fake the movie's success with a rush of products, and trick people into watching it based on this fakeness.

The whole premise is a contrived marketing gimmick from the get go. Swords and Sorcery vs. Science Fiction (laser weopons, time travel, space distortion). It was trying a bit too hard not to ape Conan.

[–] Roguemail (1615) 4 years ago

"I think this was the plan of marketing, to fake the movie's success with a rush of products, and trick people into watching it based on this fakeness."

Not sure I agree with this. Merchandise usually sells better after the movie is released, although its often made available before the movie comes out.

Krull was an unknown quantity when it was released. Though there were high hopes for it, it was not as successful as hoped.

Fundamemtally, advance releasing of merchandise is not going to entice people to watch a movie, unless there is already a recognised brand name or its a franchise.

That said, I was not aware that there was all this merchandise available at the time of release. I wonder if its worth anything now? Quite often the most obscure stuff can be valuable.

[–] Oblivioid (1513) 4 years ago

None of it is of much value to my knowledge. I've bought the card game for a friend within the last few years for around $20. It was actually a good game. I own the 2600 cartridge, and its value is nothing of concern. A lot of of those licensed board games from Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley aren't worth peanuts either, unless they are really rare and unknown titles.

To me it appears that the producers of Krull were trying to create a new franchise and market for it all at once, instead of letting it grow organically out of true popularity. It's not like this strategy would be unique in history. I mean, that's basically how Star Wars did it, but it happened to actually be popular.

[–] Roguemail (1615) 4 years ago

Ah...but then the Star Wars merchandise is a different story.

Film merchandise was not a big thing in the 70s. And though Lucas had signed deals with various toy companies, the success of the movie caught them by surprise.

If I am remembering this correctly, basically the merchandise was not ready by Christmas of the year of Star Wars release, and they issued some sort of voucher that parents could give kids at Christmas to say that they would get the toys...when they were ready.

[–] bozo_500 (13264) 4 years ago

just imagining the look on some lucky kids faces Christmas morning 1983.. opening their presents expecting the latest Return of the Jedi goodies to find Krull action figures, toy glaive, board game, video game, marvel comic, novel, LP score, poster, viewmaster, underoos .. 'yes son.. this is the new star wars!'

[–] HarlemEagle42 (18140) 2 years ago

Hey but now it might be worth something.