Where was Krull filmed? Explore the volcanic landscapes, Italian mountains, English woodlands, and Pinewood sets behind this cult 1983 fantasy adventure.
Before fantasy heroes had endless CGI armies, Krull (1983) sent a prince, a magical five-bladed Glaive, a doomed Cyclops, a mischievous wizard, and a gang of escaped convicts across some spectacularly real landscapes.
Colwyn must rescue Lyssa from the Beast and his Black Fortress, armed with the legendary Glaive and an unlikely fellowship facing prophecy, magic, monsters, the Crystal Spider, and fire-breathing horses.
Directed by Peter Yates, Krull stars Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis, David Battley, Alun Armstrong, Bernard Bresslaw, Liam Neeson, and Robbie Coltrane.
Despite its medieval-fantasy appearance, Krull is actually science fantasy, mixing Arthurian-style legend with space opera. It was written by Stanford Sherman, its ambitious production combined European locations with enormous practical sets at Pinewood Studios.
And yes, that young Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane really are in it.
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⚔️ Krull Filming Locations
So, where was Krull filmed? The answer jumps from volcanic Lanzarote to the Italian Alps, then heads back to England for forests, swamps, and some seriously enormous studio magic.
🌋 Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Lanzarote may have been on Earth, but Krull clearly saw something considerably more extraterrestrial. The island’s volcanic terrain created by historic eruptions around Timanfaya, provided the stark, otherworldly environments needed for the planet Krull.
Those black, red, and ochre volcanic formations give Colwyn‘s journey an appropriately alien feel without requiring a spaceship to another galaxy. Timanfaya covers more than 51 square kilometres and includes the famous Fire Mountains, lava fields, craters, and geothermal activity.
In other words, if your travel wish list includes landscapes that look like another planet, Lanzarote has already done the audition.
What was filmed here:
- Timanfaya National Park: Alien volcanic landscapes and desert vistas.
- Fire Mountains: Rugged terrain for Krull‘s wilderness.
- Lanzarote volcanic badlands: Otherworldly landscapes surrounding Colwyn‘s quest.
What to see & do here:
- Ruta de los Volcanes: Tour Timanfaya‘s dramatic volcanic terrain.
- Islote de Hilario: See spectacular geothermal demonstrations.
- Montañas del Fuego: Explore Lanzarote‘s famous Fire Mountains.
- Cueva de los Verdes: Explore an enormous volcanic tunnel.
- Jameos del Agua: Visit César Manrique‘s volcanic attraction.
Book a tour:
- Lanzarote: Timanfaya National Park Volcanic Craters Tour
- Lanzarote: Cueva de los Verdes & Jameos del Agua Tour
🏔️ Campo Imperatore, Abruzzo, Italy
High in Italy’s Apennines, Campo Imperatore supplied one of Krull‘s most spectacular natural backdrops.
Known as “Little Tibet,” the 27-kilometre plateau sits within Gran Sasso National Park, beneath some of the highest peaks in the Apennines, giving it the vast, windswept scale that fantasy filmmakers tend to love.
The location was used for the dramatic Fire Mare sequences, where the landscape needed to feel mythical rather than merely mountainous. Fortunately, Campo Imperatore already looks as though someone designed it for an epic fantasy storyboard.
What was filmed here:
- Campo Imperatore plateau: Expansive landscapes for Fire Mare sequences.
- Gran Sasso mountains: Dramatic wilderness surrounding Colwyn‘s journey.
What to see & do here:
- Gran Sasso National Park: Explore alpine trails and scenery.
- Santo Stefano di Sessanio: Explore a charming medieval village.
- Rocca Calascio Moonlit Hike: A beautiful castle under the stars.
Book a tour:
🏔️ Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno, Italy
The Dolomites bring a very different kind of grandeur to Krull. Cortina d’Ampezzo sits in a broad alpine valley surrounded by dramatic peaks that provided the mountainous scale needed for the film’s external journeys, giving Colwyn and his companions an epic wilderness to cross.
The Dolomite rock formations change colour with the light, while the surrounding mountains create natural cinematic compositions almost everywhere you look.
Cortina is one of Italy‘s best-known mountain resorts, part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic setting, making it a particularly busy year for a destination already accustomed to dramatic entrances.
What was filmed here:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Alpine landscapes for Colwyn‘s journey.
- Dolomite mountain ranges: Vast peaks framing exterior sequences.
Book a tour:
- Bolzano: Best of the Dolomites in One Day Private Tour
- From Venice: Dolomites, Lake Misurina and Cortina Day Trip
- From Venice: Exclusive Day Tour of Dolomites & Lake Braies
- Tour of the Iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo
🌲 Black Park Country Park, Buckinghamshire, England
Black Park Country Park in Buckinghamshire, England, supplied the woodland atmosphere for Krull‘s exterior forest and chase sequences. Located near Pinewood Studios, the park offered the dense, moody greenery that can become a fantasy forest with remarkably little persuasion.
Black Park Country Park covers roughly 530 acres of woodland, heathland, and lakes, so there’s plenty of room for cinematic wandering. The park also has a 1.45-kilometre route around Black Park Lake, with longer walking trails, cycling routes, and an adventure course among the trees.
The park’s proximity to Pinewood was particularly convenient for production. Filmmakers could move between real woodland and enormous constructed sets without needing to book a teleportation spell.
What was filmed here:
- Black Park Country Park, Buckinghamshire: Forest exteriors & chase sequences.
What to see & do here:
- Black Park Lake: Walk the scenic lakeside loop.
- Go Ape Black Park: Try treetop adventure courses.
- Orienteering trails: Explore woodland navigation routes.
- Four Seasons Café: Stop for food after exploring.
🎬 Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England
If the European landscapes supplied Krull‘s natural grandeur, Pinewood Studios supplied the stuff that definitely could not be found conveniently lying around in nature.
The production used more than ten sound stages and built 23 major sets, including the enormous swamp constructed inside the Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, that became Krull‘s dangerous swamp environment.
Pinewood was where the filmmakers could go wild with practical effects. The Black Fortress was represented by a detailed miniature, while the Beast‘s strange interiors were constructed as physical sets with deliberately organic, asymmetrical designs.
What was filmed here:
- Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage: Giant swamp and quicksand sequences.
- Pinewood sound stages: Massive fantasy interiors and environments.
- Black Fortress sets: Practical interiors for the Beast‘s domain.
- Miniature effects stages: Fortress destruction and model effects.
What to see & do here:
- Pinewood Studios: Look for official studio experiences.
- Iver Heath: Explore the countryside around the studio.
- Black Park: Combine the studio area with nearby filming locations.
- London Attractions: Discover the top attractions and best places to visit.
Book a tour:
🧙 Krull Movie FAQs
Here are the nerdy answers to the questions most likely to send you reaching for the Glaive.
Was Krull originally called The Dragons of Krull?
Yes. The Dragons of Krull was an early title for the project before the shorter Krull title was used.
Where was the Krull mountain scene filmed?
The film’s dramatic mountain locations included Campo Imperatore in Abruzzo and Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.
Why does Krull look like it was filmed on an alien planet?
The alien-looking exterior landscapes were created using Lanzarote‘s volcanic terrain and Italy‘s mountainous landscapes, combined with extensive studio work.
What is the Glaive in Krull?
The Glaive is Colwyn‘s legendary five-bladed weapon, which he must obtain as part of his quest to defeat the Beast.
What is the Black Fortress in Krull?
The Black Fortress is the Beast‘s enormous, mobile stronghold, which mysteriously changes location on Krull.
Were the Fire Mares real horses?
Yes. The production used Clydesdale horses for the Fire Mare sequences, with effects and reflective materials helping create their supernatural appearance.
Who composed the Krull movie soundtrack?
James Horner composed the Krull movie soundtrack, years before scoring major films including Aliens, Braveheart, and Titanic.
Who’s in the Krull cast?
- Ken Marshall: Prince Colwyn
- Lysette Anthony: Princess Lyssa
- Freddie Jones: Ynyr
- Francesca Annis: Widow of the Web
- Alun Armstrong: Torquil
- David Battley: Ergo
- Bernard Bresslaw: Cyclops
- Liam Neeson: Kegan
- John Welsh: Seer
- Graham McGrath: Titch
- Robbie Coltrane: Rhun
Did Krull get a sequel or remake?
No official sequel or remake has been released, making the 1983 Krull film a gloriously standalone slice of fantasy cinema.
What are some movies like Krull?
- Conan the Barbarian movies: Swords, sorcery, revenge, and destiny.
- Dragonslayer (1981): Dark magic, dragons, and medieval danger.
- The Beastmaster (1982): Warriors, creatures, magic, and adventure.
- Legend (1985): Dark fantasy, unicorns, demons, destiny.
- Willow (1988): Tiny hero, huge magical adventure.
- The Dark Crystal (1982): Mystical creatures, quests, and prophecy.
- The NeverEnding Story (1984): Fantasy worlds, creatures, courage, wonder.
📺 Where to Watch Krull
Where’s the Krull movie streaming? Here’s where to find this cult 1983 fantasy adventure.
From Lanzarote‘s volcanic badlands to the Dolomites and Pinewood‘s enormous practical sets, Krull proves that sometimes the best alien worlds are hiding right here on Earth.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for entertainment purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of any of these facts and don’t recommend making important life decisions based on them. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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