‘Dungeons & Dragons’: The Dark Side Revealed in Tom Hanks’ Film
Tom Hanks has had an illustrious acting career, earning a reputation as a beloved figure in households worldwide for his exceptional performances. The multiple Academy Award-winning actor has delivered memorable roles time and again, captivating audiences whether he’s portraying a stranded castaway, a dedicated FBI agent, or a charming romantic lead.
It’s difficult to imagine Hanks as anything other than an acclaimed and successful actor, but even legends like him had to start somewhere. Hidden beneath his monumental success, Hanks’ early film roles didn’t initially hint at the remarkable career that would follow.
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Hanks made his film debut in the 1980 low-budget slasher ‘He Knows You’re Alone,’ but his first leading role came in the made-for-television movie ‘Mazes and Monsters.’ Despite being a Hanks aficionado, many may not recognise this film due to its niche and controversial subject matter.
‘Mazes and Monsters’ wasn’t just an ordinary TV fantasy movie; it was part of a “moral panic” reaction to the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The film was based on sensationalised stories about the supposed dangers of D&D, aiming to dissuade viewers from engaging with the game. Though the film didn’t significantly impact the game’s popularity, it marked the beginning of one of the most illustrious careers in cinema.
‘Mazes and Monsters,’ released in 1982 and based on Rona Jaffe’s novel, was inspired by sensationalized news stories. Unlike the D&D cartoon series from the same decade, Jaffe’s story painted a negative picture of the game. The film follows Robbie (Tom Hanks), a college student who joins a group of friends in playing a fantasy role-playing game. Robbie’s friends include Jay-Jay (Chris Makepeace), Daniel (David Wallace), and Kate (Wendy Crewson), whom Robbie starts dating. The game initially seems harmless, but it soon takes a darker turn for Robbie.
Robbie’s history with the game reveals his obsessive tendencies, which had previously led to his expulsion from another school. As he continues playing with his new friends, Robbie begins having disturbing dreams about his missing older brother and eventually suffers a mental breakdown, believing he is his in-game character, Pardieu.
When the group decides to play in the service tunnels under their school, Robbie hallucinates monsters and loses the ability to distinguish between the game and reality. His obsession leads to self-destructive behaviour, including breaking up with Kate to maintain Pardieu’s vow of celibacy and eventually disappearing.
Robbie’s friends track him to New York, where he mistakes muggers for monsters and stabs one of them. They find him on the roof of one of the ‘Twin Towers’, about to jump in search of a fictitious ‘Great Hall.’ Jay-Jay talks him down by invoking his role as the game’s ‘Maze Controller.’ The movie concludes with Robbie permanently trapped in his delusion, living with his mother in a rural area, with his friends visiting him one last time to indulge his fantasy.
‘Mazes and Monsters’ is a snapshot of a time when Dungeons & Dragons were mired in public controversy, and accused of promoting dangerous behaviours without any tangible evidence. The film’s story was loosely based on real-life events, notably the disappearance of James Dallas Egbert, a Michigan State University student.
His case became sensationalized, with some falsely attributing his mental health struggles to his involvement with D&D. Despite the negative press, D&D’s popularity continued to grow, evolving into a beloved fantasy staple.
Despite its bleak ending, ‘Mazes and Monsters’ did not hinder Tom Hanks’ burgeoning career. He delivered a strong performance, showcasing the talent that would define his career. Hanks went on to become one of the most celebrated actors in history, while Dungeons & Dragons also thrived, overcoming the moral panic of the 1980s to become an enduring cultural phenomenon.
– Farheen Ali
