Legend (1985) User Reviews

Violation of innocent, virtuous flesh

[DarthBill · 7/10 · 9 June 2004]

The Lord of all that is Darkness (Tim Curry) tries to take over the world by slaying two unicorns. He is distracted by the temptation of innocence, which comes in the form of pretty little Princess Lily, played by Mia Sara in her film debut. The Dark Lord decides he would like to have his way with virgin princess, while her true love Jack (Tom Cruise) tries to rescue her and save the world.

Long, dark, murky, loaded with black humor and undeniably well crafted. A beautiful film to look at that is hopelessly chopped up in the American version which replaces Jerry Goldsmith's original music with music by Tangerine Dream.

Cruise is alright as the hero, as alright as he's ever been anywhere else. Mia Sara is very lovely as the virgin princess whom this film revolves around. Curry sounds like he's having fun as the villain.

Mediocre Film That Looks Great . . .

[MC1-Bjornson · 6/10 · 23 May 2007]

'Legend', The Director's Cut (1985/2002), Unrated, One Hour & 54 Minutes --and-- U.S. Theatrical Version (1986), Rated "PG" by the MPAA, One Hour & 30 Minutes. Content includes: Mild Adult Language, Some Mild Sexual Innuendos, Violence and Some Disturbing Imagery.

My Take ** (Out of ****) or 6/10 on the IMDb Scale.

'Legend' is triumph of art direction, make-up, costume and set design. It's a great movie to look at, but not much else. That goes for both versions of the picture, The Director's Cut or the U.S. Theatrical Version.

'Legend' wants to be a mythical fairy tale. It tells of Darkness (Tim Curry), a demonic overlord, who has been banished from the world to his dark kingdom to reign in exile. The world is a beautiful place of perpetual springtime, complete with sunshine, tweeting birds, pollen in the air and tree blossoms in abundance. The world is kept pure and protected by two unicorns who both harbor goodness, truth and light.

However, Darkness is plotting his return to the world for a hostile takeover. If his lackeys can take out the two unicorns, then Darkness will once again rise to dominate the world. This is not very appealing to Jack (Tom Cruise), a young man who lives in a storybook forest. Jack shares a romance of innocence with the lovely maiden Lily (Mia Sara). When Darkness makes his move for world domination, the world is plunged into a chaotic dark winter. Darkness kidnaps Lily to corrupt her and make her his dark bride. It's up to Jack and his motley crew of fairy friends to put the kabash on Darkness before all hope is lost . . .

Sounds like the groundwork for a fun picture, doesn't it? Unfortunately, that's not the case. For as visually arousing as the film is, it's highly underdeveloped. 'Legend' is all style, with no substance. That's too bad. Everything looks great and the adventure could have been a really great one too.

One problem with 'Legend' is you don't care about anyone or anything in it. There's nothing interesting, funny, witty or imaginative about any of the characters, except for maybe Darkness. We've all seen this kind of story before: Evil is out to vanquish good, the young lad becomes a hero to save the girl and set the wrong things right. It's a timeless story. No doubt, we'll keep seeing it time and time again. When it's done right, we love it. A good example would be the original 'Star Wars' (1977). But 'Legend' doesn't do it right. We're not gripped in the slightest.

Tom Cruise as Jack spends a great deal of the picture looking scared or bewildered. Sara Mia, better known as Matthew Broderick's girlfriend in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986), is an adequate damsel in distress. Naive, but nice. The scene stealer is Tim Curry as Darkness. He looks great! He is layered in make-up and paint, but he truly looks like the devil, complete with gigantic horns, goat ears, red skin, yellow eyes, a Charles Atlas figure and goat legs. Oddly enough, Curry's performance shines though the latex making Darkness convincing as a sinister presence.

As indicated, the rest of the characters are fairly one dimensional clichés from other (& better) fantasy tales. They're only here as plot devices, completely devoid of any other purpose, to get you through the movie from Point 'A' to Point 'B'. You don't care for them or empathize with them in any way or about their plight. To make a movie like this work, you should at least care about the outcome of it's characters. If you don't, then what's the point of watching it in the first place?

The Director's Cut is more whimsical. It's about 24 minutes longer and has extended dialog with longer scenes. Most notably, this version firmly establishes the lovely Lily as a princess, while the American version is decidedly ambiguous about her background. Also notable is Lily's singing in the forest and to the unicorns. This is more storybook like and I suppose this behavior is to be expected of maidens.

The Director's Cut boasts a lyrical score by Jerry Goldsmith. It's beautifully done and serves the storybook aspect of 'Legend' very well.

The U.S. version is scored by the rock group Tangerine Dream. What I liked about this score is that it's a departure from what is traditionally heard in this kind of picture. I thought this score was a fresh approach to the 'fairy-tale'/'storybook' genre.

Director Ridley Scott has described his director's version of 'Legend' as being the more sophisticated of the two versions. In some ways he's right. Then again, both versions of the picture are rather muddled and lack coherence or any real direction. Both pictures feel choppy, unrealized and cobbled together from other fantasies minus the spark that makes the good ones work in the first place.

Does 'Legend' have a saving grace? It's a visual roller-coaster. It's great to look at. It reminds me of fantasy paintings that have come to life. Too bad that the life we see in the movie is lifeless. If you can get around that fact, then either version of 'Legend' at it's best will be excellent eye candy with terrific cinema-photography and great music, whether it's Goldsmith or Tangerine Dream as the music provider.

In my opinion, The Director's Cut and the U.S. Theatrical Version are on they same par in terms of quality. One is not better then the other. 'Legend' isn't that good to begin with. To be fair, it's not bad either. If it wasn't for the film's visual style, there would really be no reason to even consider watching this picture. 'Legend' is a missed opportunity that left me wanting more from it then what I was given . . .

Legend 25 years later... hit or miss

[Quebec_Dragon · 5/10 · 7 May 2010]

I first saw this celluloid fairy tale back when I was a kid in theatres. I don't remember liking it much at the time (made me uncomfortable and queasy actually) and in fact, the only thing I really remembered from the film itself was the big red devil. Perhaps I wasn't sophisticated enough then to enjoy it properly so why not see it again as an adult and give it a second shake...

My main opinion during and after the screening (of the director's cut) was that although the decors and the makeup of the creatures are great even by today's standards, that the movie dragged, mostly in the second half. It felt long and I even yawned a few times. I don't know if it's because the pace is wrong, the film lacks action or the story is not engrossing enough but I was bored too often. I also expect some kind of sense of wonder in fantasy films. It happened with the unicorns, although unfortunately their horns were wobbly at first breaking the illusion, and it did happen with the grand entrance of the devil (seen on the cover). It did not happen much other than that. I loved the devil played by Tim Curry in heavy costume and makeup making him unrecognizable. His deep operatic yet comforting voice (slightly modified) is perfect, his expressions are very good and his movements are quite believable. He's the best representation of a traditional devil I've ever seen. Although the main human actors are played earnestly and rather well by Mia Sara and a young Tom Cruise, I was mesmerized by the character of Honeythorn Gump, the apparent leader of the small fairy-folk. He looks like a child but his big expressive eyes, his often severe facial expressions and the way he moves are reminiscent of someone older, kind of appropriate for an elf having lived for a long time. The actor playing Gump was 19 years old which would explain some of his performance. I found him fascinating yet somewhat sinister. I didn't find the comic-relief goblins and gnomes particularly appealing or interesting. To be fair, they were buried under tons of makeup making them less expressive.

I watched the director's cut on DVD and the normal shorter US version afterwards. I will not go in details on the differences here but those interested can check this link : http://www.figmentfly.com/legend/different4c.html . Neither version is perfect but I think I preferred the director's cut in part because of the classical music score (instead of Tangerine Dream's new age synthesizer remade soundtrack for North America). The relationship between the princess and Jack (Tom Cruise) is also more ambiguous, my favorite character other than Darkness, the elf (?) Gump, has more screen time, the appearance of Darkness is not spoiled right at the beginning making his first "real" entrance a lot more dramatic and the fun swamp "sorceress" is there longer. On the other hand, with the shorter US theatrical version, you are less likely to find your mind wandering or being bored

In closing, Ridley Scott the director said he was proud of his film despite all its problems (main set burning, big commercial flop and critically panned at the time being a few) and that at least, he managed to get that kind of film (fantasy fairy-tale) out of his system. Not the most ringing endorsement if you ask me... Scott might be proud but I would not call Legend really good even today. it's passable but it pales in comparison to other fantasy films of the eighties (Willow, Princess Bride, Neverending Story (only the first one), Labyrinth, etc) that should be rented or purchased long before Legend. However, Legend has several redeeming features pushing it above the lower dregs of that genre. Legend was middle-of-the-pack for that era but suffered from expectations that were too high.

Rating : 5 out of 10

To take the horn of the Unicorn is to end all hope!

[uds3 · 4 April 2002]

Never did the phrase "a beautiful film" have more relevance than in this wonderful piece of adult fantasy. Make no mistake, this masterpiece, Ridley Scott's fourth film (it followed BLADE RUNNER) was never intended for children. Those who have written it off as a kids' movie totally betray their limitations and inability to see what is being offered here.

A youthful Tom Cruise was such a good choice as Jack, the forest dweller destined to plunge the world into darkness and then have but one opportunity to restore the light. Mia Sara is the beautiful princess, part Cinderella, part angel, all virgin! and Tim Curry? well, what a simply staggering contribution as the Lord of Darkness. Totally unrecognizable both visually and audibly but what a performance.

All the Ridley Scott trademarks are here, the back-projected blue light, the filtered scenes of wonderment, central characters in a crisis, the enigma of life itself. If anything, LEGEND is better now than when it was released. In '85 it received critical praise - just no-one went to see it! Well that's not strictly true. I attended the Sydney premiere and sat thru it entranced as others fidgeted, whispered, and generally brought attention to their limited attention spans and lowered perceptions!

Certainly it is a film that on one level children could relate to and even enjoy but it is a far deeper film with a host of reflective ideas and quite magical concepts. What really IS the Lord of Darkness? What is the significance of the Unicorns? What becomes of the innocence we leave behind in childhood? If none of this interests you, make sure you avoid this film!

Visually Stunning, But Not Terribly Coherent

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 19 July 2007]

I finally got to see Legend in its entirety from start to finish in one sitting. Previously I had only seen bits and pieces. Sad to say this is a film whose parts are greater than the whole.

Technically it's a stunning masterpiece. I don't think there was a film like this since Paramount took most of it's players in 1933 and put them all in makeup for its version of Alice in Wonderland. In fact the only two in the film who go without any make up because they're the only humans in the film are woodsman Tom Cruise and princess Mia Sara.

Tom looks a little lost in this part. Fantasy certainly is something he never tried again in his career. Probably he was wise not to. Mia Sara comes off a bit like a spoiled Jewish American Princess. If her dad the king was around, she'd have just ordered him to buy her those unicorns.

However the rest of the cast looks like they're having a grand old time. Especially Tim Curry who steals the film. He overacts with relish his role of the Lord of Darkness, he's the main reason to see Legend.

Legend is photographed well and the makeup is in a class by itself. Why it didn't win an Oscar in the only category Legend was nominated in, is beyond me. Still it's a film best consigned to the juvenile audience.

A Simple Story With Mesmerizing Results

[eric262003 · 7/10 · 15 June 2014]

Ridley Scott's "Legend" was released at time when fantasy adventure stories were really taking off. Such films as "The Dark Crystal", "Labryinth", "The Never Ending Story" captured the mind and the imagination to many places that can only be dreamed upon. "Legend" was a bit different than the three fantasy stories that I have mentioned. For one thing, it did not do very well at the box office at the time. The characters were one-note and the story was thinner than a spaghetti string. But there is something that makes "Legend" stand out above the rest. It is the fairy-tale atmosphere goes very deep and in the end you'd be amazed at how well crafted this movie really is.

This simplistic story is about Princess Lili (Mia Sara) and her boyfriend Jack-of-the-Green (Tom Cruise) were enjoying a fairytale atmosphere together. Then all of the sudden, Jack points out to Lili two gorgeous unicorns standing together that cross balances the lines between good and evil. As a precaution, Jack tell Lili not to touch them. But Lili's temptation get the best of her as she walks over to the unicorns, a group of goblins take advantage and successfully confiscate the unicorn's horn. Shortly after that, winter comes into effect as and the balance is now messed up.

Lily and the other unicorn enter a dark world and are held hostage to the Lord of Darkness' chamber where he becomes smitten by her purity and uses that purity so that she becomes corrupted before destroying the last unicorn. Meanwhile Jack joins forces with a group of faeries to rescue Lili and to prevent this demonic miscreant from blocking out the light.

A very young Tom Cruise's character Jack was very painfully underdeveloped. Sure he looks like the typical warrior fantasy hero sporting loincloth clothing and carrying a mighty sword, but overall this is Cruise's most forgettable character in his career. There's no history or any background to hold one's interest. But still his voice and his way of carrying the character makes Jack a definitive hero.

The real characters that truly carry the story was Mia Sara's Lili and Tim Curry's Lord of Darkness. Underneath all that heavy makeup and over-the-top dialogue, Curry adds the right amount of malice and yet can also come across as sympathetic. Sure he's as evil as they come, but deeper inside, we see a very lonely devil who think his darkness balances the good and the light. And that is why he's asking for Lili's love as she becomes attached to his dominion.

Lili's transformation from the fantasy light-bright princess, to the runaway bride to the Gothic-laden princess was engaging to say the least. Lili's transformations are handled with precision and care and teaches the lesson, that to get by in a fight against evil in fantasy environments means to break some rules and go against moral issues and as she goes deeper to becoming evil, she still manages to keep her humanity alive. And whether good or evil, Lili is eye candy the whole way through.

The cinematography was best thing that makes this movie stand out very well. The fairy-tale flowers and forestry is saturated with many vibrant colours. As for the Darkness' chamber, the dark colours is what I would have expected coming from an evil fiend like him.

It's not a mainstream film at all, and many people might be turned off by its bizarre ways, but I think it's execution is terrific in terms of trial, temptation, lust, and the fight for good against evil.

When I was a child I was totally freaked out by the presence of the Lord of Darkness. He was and is still to this day, one scary looking dude. This is no way a kid-friendly fantasy adventure story. I haven't seen this movie in years, but just today I rented the DVD and it brought back so many memories and the story itself, though thin and very short, but entertaining and enthralling. I highly recommended to children 9 years and older, mostly because the bad guy is one scary demon.

A mixed bag of great visuals and bad screenplay.

[redcrossaint · 6/10 · 15 June 2022]

Legend (1985)

2.5/4

A lot of 80's fantasy movies focus on hero's trying to save the world, the universe, their love, their home, and so much more. 'Legend' follows that formula, with the hero (Tom Cruise) saving the world AND his love. It kind of works, to a limited degree. But it's not very good, and mostly doesn't work this time. The movie's fatal flaw is no compelling story. But what does work are the visuals. Beautiful, complex, and strangely fascinating, its own style kept me engaged. The story is lackluster; but the visuals are some of the best I've ever seen for a fantasy film. But unfortunately, the story gets in the way of a positive review, which is why I'm giving it a mixed negative review.

The movie follows a young man named Jack (Tom Cruise), who sets out to stop the evil Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) from completely obliterating daylight and from marrying the woman he truly loves (Mia Sera).

As with a lot of director Ridley Scott's work, the style eventually overrules the substance. In 'Legend' there's little to no substance, but excellent doses in style. For years, this film tried to be made, but Scott couldn't get the proper conditions. He's finally working off an original screenplay from William Hjortsberg, who doesn't provide good groundwork for the picture. It's kind of a mash of 80's fantasy scenes, and all stringed together by a relatively basic plot. The film is also famous for having its sets burned completely to the ground during filming, and Tom Cruise's father dying during the production of the film. It's no wonder this movie is such a mess.

The visual style is exhilarating; beautifully thought and wonderfully calculated. The sets are just as fantastically produced. But the story, at its best, represents other fantasy movie plots; and at its worst, represents a lousy movie. It's a very complicated picture; but it all comes down to a very basic solution: there's more style over substance, something Scott is sometimes known for.

2 ½ STARS (OUT OF 4)

Good moments, and stunning sets, but ....

[paulclaassen · 4/10 · 16 April 2020]

'Legend' features beautiful sets, an amazing production design, some truly spectacular imagery, incredible make-up, and dazzling visual effects for its time. This is the ultimate fantasy film with a princess, elves, fairies, goblins, unicorns (Oh, I love horses!!) and magic. And a good lead actor in the form of Tom Cruise.

So why then didn't I enjoy it that much? I loved the first act. It was beautiful, mesmerizing, and romantic. However, the second act introduces new characters and along comes the silly, slapstick humor that ruined everything. This seems to be an American trademark. Is it possible that Americans want this humor in a non-comedy? It's completely beyond me, but they obviously do. Unfortunately I can't relate to that, and instead it is distracting and annoying. Without this silly humor, it would have been an enjoyable action adventure fantasy.

Would I watch it again? No.

There really should be two different "Legend" movies listed.

[docstrange · 10/10 · 25 December 2006]

There's the original version, released in 1986 and on videotape, and the 2002 Director's Cut, available on DVD. The latter version is one of my all-time favorite movies. It compares quite favorably with Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" and is a modern classic.

The theatrical release of 1986, shamefully butchered (chopped up and badly re-edited) by the mindless suits at Warner, and with its original Jerry Goldsmith score replaced by the rather trite Tangerine Dream soundtrack, is the version most people have seen. It was released on videotape as a children's movie. What it is, and was intended to be, is a fairy tale for adults. In fact, it's too intense for really young children.

It's hard to say that the '86 version deserves any more than the "6" it's rated at on its IMDb main page. It is a disappointment, primarily because it's now impossible to watch without think how much better it could be. The feeling and tone of the film were ruined by its treatment.

The Ridley Scott Director's Cut, released in 2002, is a completely different movie. If you haven't seen this version, you haven't seen the movie. It deserves a score of 9 or 10.

It doesn't look like a movie made 20 years ago. Scenes which are vital to the tone of the film and the meaning of the story have been restored. The sumptuous original soundtrack, recorded with a full orchestra, has also been restored, and this adds more to the film than can be put into words.

About the performances: A very young Tom Cruise is excellent as the hero. Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness is awesome; his costume and voice alone are worth the cost of renting or buying the DVD. Mia Sara is absolutely stunning as Lily. She actually plays two different versions of her character, both wonderfully. This was her first role, a risk for Scott on such a big budget film, and she turned in the performance of her career. She's never been better, or looked more beautiful, than in this movie. The elves and fairies, both good and evil, are incredibly real-looking and believable. The costumes are perfect, and the sets are breathtaking, literally. One of the largest indoor sets ever constructed - a huge fantasy forest - was built for this movie.

If you haven't seen this version, rent it. If you have kids, buy it for them; they'll watch it over and over. My daughter and her friends watch it repeatedly, she's probably seen it 50 times.

Stunning To Look At But Suffers Greatly From Production Weakness

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 28 April 2013]

It's impossible to watch a fantasy film nowadays without comparing it to Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY . In fact even Jackson's adaptation of THE HOBBIT suffers in comparison with his earlier masterwork . I went in to Ridley Scott's LEGEND not expecting much . It's a film that rather mediocre reviews on its release in 1985 and cemented the director's reputation as an artist only interested in visuals to the detriment of emotion and narrative

Certainly on a visual level there's little that can be criticised even in a cinematic post LOTR world and one can't help thinking that perhaps Jackson has borrowed the visual look from Scott when he adapted the Tolkien books . There is a subtle difference and that is Scott shoots a few too many medium shots in comparison to Jackson . Jackson concentrates on an ambitious sweeping spectacle that shows off the sets and locations to the best of their function where as Scott seems to lack this ambition . This isn't perhaps not a fundamental criticism since one doubts if Scott was allowed the laissez faire artistic control Jackson was allowed . The New Hollywood attitude of film making had ended in near disaster for the studios about three or four years earlier and one can understand the studio producers wanting to be charge of a production rather than the director

And this is where LEGEND fails . It's a film that gives the impression that the producers don't know who to market the film for. LORD OF THE RINGS is a rare film that celebrates Aglophile culture where as LEGEND seems to be a film that is trying - and failing to appeal to a trans-Atlantic multiplex audience . Tom Cruise has never been prettier but seems miscast as a hero who is rather rather wet as opposed to heroic . Likewise the whole file suffers from a lack of focus as to who the film will appeal to . The somewhat unrealistic nature fantasy based nature of the film won't appeal to a more mature audience while the very impressive make up and demonic characters will absolutely terrify young children . Interesting too that a common complaint on this page is the incoherent plotting of the narrative . Quite often I found myself asking where the story was heading In

summary this is considered to be one of the weaker films of Ridley Scott . By a bitter irony the directing and visual aspects are in fact the best thing about LEGEND which is a film that strikes the audience that the audience as being a film that is confused as to its market . Certainly it owes more than a bit to Tolkien but by the same token Peter Jackson may very well owe a bit to Ridley Scott

What a waste

[Tito-8 · 3/10 · 21 January 2000]

The look of this film is astounding. It is simply a gorgeously photographed picture, and any words to describe just how great this film looks would not do the movie justice. Unfortunately, once you get past the spectacular visuals, you are left with one dull movie. The story is very thin, and it would probably have been wiser to make this a half-hour special. As it is, I just got bored. The music was an occasionally pleasant distraction, but really, the only good thing about this movie was the look. So, watch the first ten minutes to appreciate how beautiful the scenery is, and then stop watching.

The Director's Cut is Gorgeous!

[mstomaso · 8/10 · 12 August 2007]

I will join the chorus... This is a beautiful, and thoroughly enjoyable fantasy film as long as you watch it in digital widescreen and do not bother with the 1hr 30min version. The Director's Cut(better known as the European release) is worthy of an IMDb rating of 8. The American theatrical release is worthy of a 6.5.

This is a fairly straightforward fantasy conceived and directed by Ridley Scott, one of the greatest mainstream directors of our time. The story follows a young man who lives in a forest (Jack, played by Tom Cruise) and a spirited young princess (Lily - Mia Sara) who is in love with him. The lord of darkness (Tim Curry) has sent forth his minions to capture the last two remaining unicorns so that he can banish light from the world forever. Unicorns are attracted to innocence, and so they find themselves in Jack and Lily's company just as the dark lord's play begins to unfold. Before long, Jack and his magical forest friends must save Lily, the one remaining unicorn and the world from the grasp of the dark lord at any price.

Even the lengthier director's cut goes by just a little too quickly. But it's pace is not comparable to the incredibly hasty studio chop-job of the American release. The story is epic, but the medium is not. All considered, however, the production team did a great job given the length limits afforded for the film.

Cruise does pretty well with a role that must have been a little hard to interpret. Jack must behave as a hero, a young man who has learned most of his lessons from nature, and a teenager to varying degrees throughout the film. Mia Sara is delightful a Lily. Tim Curry and David Bennent (Honeythorn Gump) get pretty close to stealing the show. In all, the acting is fine, but the star of the film is really the camera.

Scott has often proved his ability to create immersive experiences in worlds which are somewhat alien (no pun intended) to his audience. Legend does this perhaps as powerfully as his most far-out films (Alien, and Bladerunner). The cinematography, editing, and special effects are exceptionally good, and make the fairly average plot glow. Each scene is a work of art.

Highly recommended for fantasy fans, Ridley Scott, Tim Curry and Mia Sara fans and those interested in artfully presented effects. Recommended for fans of Pan's Labyrinth and Mirrormask. Weakly recommended for Tom Cruise fans.

"May be innocent, may be sweet...ain't half as nice as rotting meat."

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 3 November 2018]

Jack (Tom Cruise) and Lily (Mia Sara) are young friends in a mystical land occupied by goblins, fairies, all-important unicorns...and threatened by the evil machinations of the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Jack will be joined by other heroes like Gump (David Bennent), Screwball (Billy Barty), and Brown Tom (Cork Hubbert) as they take on the challenges facing them, and work to figure out a way to defeat Darkness.

Since "Legend" is directed by master stylist Ridley Scott, it's not surprising that it looks great, with production design by Assheton Gorton and cinematography by Alex Thomson. Written by William Hjortsberg (whose other credits include 'The Georgia Peaches', "Thunder and Lightning", and "Angel Heart"), it does dawdle somewhat at times, and it becomes clear that it doesn't really contain a lot of story. Still, it's a reasonably engaging adventure that also benefits from a truly stifling atmosphere at times, and characters that are generally amiable without being fleshed out very much.

The special effects are well executed, with makeup effects expert Rob Bottin ("The Howling", "The Thing", and "Total Recall") doing some extremely impressive work, especially the incredible visage that he and crew create for Curry. You certainly don't recognize the actor at all.

The actors are appealingly sincere, with Cruise and Sara representing characters of innocence. In addition to Bennent, Barty, and Hubbert, we have Alice Playten as a nasty goblin named Blix, Peter O'Farrell as pig-faced Pox, Kiran Shah as Blunder, Annabelle Lanyon as the fairy Oona, and top character actor Robert Picardo (another performer you won't recognize) as a hungry witch named Meg Mucklebones. Curry is the true M.V.P. of the production, looming over all with a performance of pure seductive evil.

Available in two cuts: the butchered North American release, running an hour and a half with a Tangerine Dream soundtrack, and the richer European release / directors' cut that runs approximately 24 minutes longer, and boasting a majestic Jerry Goldsmith score.

Although it's been said that kids might dig this one, it is true that this is more of a "fairy tale for adults", with elements too intense and sinister for the youngest of your family.

If you've enjoyed other 1980s fantasy features, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.

Seven out of 10.

Not What You'd Expect From Cruise or Scott,

[lesleyharris30 · 4/10 · 17 May 2013]

Legend is a below average movie.The storyline is promising,but not at all what you'd expect.I am a huge fan of Tom Cruise and I also like a lot of movies Ridley Scott made,but I didn't really like this one at all.It was a very early movie for both of them,and its definitely not a movie that Cruise would star in if it was made today.It isn't necessarily a long movie but if you're like me you will still get very bored.The movie is rated PG,but it is very dark and creepy and I definitely wouldn't recommend you show any child under the age of ten this movie.Fans of very dark fairy tale and fantasy may enjoy Legend,but anyone who watched this because they like Tom Cruise or Ridley Scott movies wont appreciate it.

Jack (Tom Cruise) is deeply in love with a woman who is kidnapped by the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry,with the only impressive performance in this movie) to be his wife for eternity,its up to Jack save his true love.

Watch both versions and make your OWN cut

[apkacdh · 9 November 2004]

As a huge fan of Tangerine Dream and Jon Anderson, I praise the fact that their music is in the "American" cut of this film; their music has always sounded like they were trying to do soundtracks to a movie. You hear a song, you get visual images in your head and make a movie of your own.

However, ...

I do have to say that the American Version with Tangerine Dream's soundtrack only makes this movie into a "Cult" film. It could have been great, but (well, you fill in the blank).

Fortunately, I've seen the way it was SUPPOSED to have been released in the States (which you can find on the 2-disc DVD, which has both versions).

The Non-American version has a story which is much fuller, and the music (with a full symphony orchestra) is much better and adds more drama and punctuates the mood of each scene more properly.

I do find the American version's end much more climatic musically and story-wise with Jon Anderson (singer of Yes)'s angelic voice thundering with Tangerine Dream's score in the background.

So, pick an afternoon when you got about 4 hours to spare and watch BOTH. Then, take parts of each version and make YOUR OWN wonderous story.

And another thing, keep in mind that this movie came out a whole 20 years ago. The early 80's. Next year it can buy it's own beer (if it was a person). So, Tim Curry and a lot of others would have been just voices over CGI characters instead of being in actual makeup and there would have been MORE to the story and script if CGI was as available back then as it is now.

There IS such a thing as knowing limitations, you know.

American Version, good enough to make one wonder what was more.

International Version, done much better and fuller (though I like the American ending better)

As I said, watch both versions and make your OWN version to enjoy.

Aaaaannnd ... CUT!

That's a wrap.

a very fun and macabre fantasy at times.

[miguelneto-74936 · 7/10 · 19 September 2016]

I surprise me when I saw that Ridley Scott had directed Legend, seemed a very different film, and made ​​me interested in the film , I finally watched , and found a good movie, a good mix of fantasy with romance , the cast is excellent Tom Cruise in a different role , Mia Sara is well , Tim Curry is the best of the film, his makeup as Lord of Darkness is excellent , the film is visually very beautiful , I found very good visual of the forest, and magical creatures some monsters reminded me some orcs from the Lord of the Rings , the soundtrack is very good , I really liked the theme when the monster appears , the last minutes are very good , Legend is a pleasant surprise for me , I do not expect much this film , most ended up liking a lot. Note 7.5

director's cut: a treat for the eyes, if not so much overall, in Scott's one and only "kids" movie

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 2 August 2008]

Legend would probably get, on the 10/10 vote scoring, a full 9/10 for the sheer "plastic" quality of the picture. Plastic, I mean, in the purely technical and, damn if I say it, magic of the special effects and design. Even when it should be too sickeningly sweet and innocent, or perhaps on the flip-side too dark and hellish, director Ridley Scott and his production team of designers and art decorators and effects men and costume and creature designers (main one 'Thing' creator Rob Bottin on one of his very best jobs) make this delightful to look at. Scott did accomplish one thing, if nothing else, which was to recreate with sets and actors and make-up the experience of reading fairy tales or watching a Disney movie. It is one of the director's best-looking pictures, and that is saying something for the former production designer's films like Alien and Blade Runner. On that front, it's not only exemplary of what can be done with both imagination and (rightfully laid) homage but what can look almost ahead of its time.

This being said, the story and especially the dialog would get a 5/10. Maybe I just can't speak for myself in finding the characters not very engrossing aside from the sheer conventionality placed in the peril between light and dark, Jack (Tom Cruise) vs. Darkness (an awesome devil played by Tim Curry), gnomes and trolls vs. gargoyles and big galoots. The writing is so stuck in simple terms (which for some may work) that it's hard to look past the fact that it is, straight up and down, a pure feat of style over substance. And it's HIGH style, the likes of which give a good name for style and technical prowess, against so-so substance that could be found in any picture book. This goes without saying that Jerry Goldsmith's score (included, thankfully, on the director's cut) fits in very well even when such characters are speaking without much interest, and rises some scenes to emotional heights. But the script, with some bits of exception, lacks the spark of soul needed for great fantasy, and what a director like Jim Henson- working at the same time on Dark Crystal and Labyrinth- understood intuitively.

By the end, it's a wonderful marvel that, perhaps, wasn't entirely meant for me as a section of the audience. In my 20's now this was the first time I had seen any version of the film, and yet even with my reservations I could see the film playing very well for young children ready for the bright, sweet innocent side and cold, grim, brimstone-laden dark side (look ye elsewhere for grays), and if one is totally obsessed with fairy-tale fantasy it might strike even as greater. It's a pleasant experience that's magnificent to see (it's definitely *made* for a giant theatrical screen), however lacking in some ways that keep it from true brilliance.

A much better film than Legend has it

[dee.reid · 7/10 · 29 October 2007]

British director Ridley Scott's film "Legend" is a visual marvel, full of beautiful imagery and sounds. It has a fantastic script by William Hjortsberg that remains faithful to classic fairy tale lore of good vs. evil, even while discarding some of the more extravagant (but all too familiar) elements of fantasy such as black magic, dragons, and all manner of sorcery. This is a darker and more brilliant vision of the fantasy genre, something that it desperately needed when we've become so used to bright lights and magic - you know, stuff for children. But in all the beauty and magic, it's easy to see how things such as a complicated story, uneven scriptwriting, and mediocre performances can seriously undermine what could have been a truly great fantasy epic.

"Legend" concerns the classic good vs. evil, light vs. dark, Heaven vs. Hell battle common in most fairy tales. Jack (Tom Cruise) is a young forest dweller who one day invites his beloved Lily (Mia Sara) to join him in watching two of the last unicorns, the most mythical of all forest animals, we're told, as a gift for her. Conflict arises when three goblins sneak into the forest and slay one, stealing its horn, thereby throwing the world into darkness, and turning this once-beautiful landscape into a frozen wasteland of death and despair.

It's at this point that I must stop describing the plot. These opening scenes are some of the rousing and beautiful special effects sequences I've ever seen. They're full of life and light, sounds and imagery, that are certainly unlike any other fantasy film I've seen before it. Players Cruise and Sara fit nicely into the forest scenery, and the emotive and surreal score by Tangerine Dream matches it gracefully. Closing my eyes, I can imagine myself in the forest with them, surrounded in this beautiful fairy tale land of special effects. I found myself playing these scenes over and over again because I just wanted to envelope myself in the scenery.

In the chaos, Jack and Lily are separated - Jack getting trapped and forced to wander through the blinding snowstorm, while Lily is kidnapped by the three goblins and taken to the depths of the Netherworld. Jack is then allied with his four forest friends - an elf named Gump, two dwarfs, and a fairy - and together they set off on a dangerous trek to the Netherworld to rescue Lily from the hideous, would-be satanic, the Lord of Darkness (an unrecognizable Tim Curry), who wants Lily to be his bride.

It has to be said over and over, but "Legend" is a beautiful-looking film, with some strong writing and poetic dialogue that are compliments of writer Hjortsberg. The production and makeup effects (by effects wizard Rob Bottin) really bring Hjortsberg's world to life on screen under Scott's careful direction, and that is a strong plus on the part of "Legend." In the sights and sounds, however, it's easy to lose track of the characters and their performances, and our feelings for them. It could be said that Scott's direction only focuses on the special effects rather than the players, so it's difficult to really care for anything that happens to them (although there is one eerie and surreal sequence where Lily dances with a demon in the Lord of Darkness's chamber that is deeply affecting upon my second thoughts of that scene).

But nonetheless, I found the characters and the actors to be alive and graceful (and occasionally very humorous), even if they are sometimes relegated to the background of special effects. The most impressive of all these characters is Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness. As I stated earlier, he's pretty much unrecognizable under Bottin's heavy prosthetics, though I wonder how such a light-built actor was able to carry on his performance under such heavy makeup. Regardless, Curry pulls it off and succeeds in being a truly memorable villain.

"Legend" is far from being a failure, but it is something different from what we're used to seeing when it comes to the fantasy genre. It's a brilliant exercise in ideas and imagination, brought to life by a talented cast and crew that knew their roles and knew them well. This is what "Legend" is made of.

7/10

(Note: A two-disc ultimate edition DVD director's cut of "Legend," which includes never-before-seen footage and runs approximately 24 minutes longer than the 1985 theatrical version and also features the original score by composer Jerry Goldsmith, was released in 2002.)

A mess of a movie whose "director's cut" is as bad as the edited version

[MovieAddict2016 · 5/10 · 10 July 2006]

"Legend" is a legend of film-making because, similar to films by Orson Welles and Sergio Leone, it was assaulted by editors against the director's wishes and transformed into an entirely other picture. The difference between Ridley Scott's "Legend" and the other directors' films is that both versions of Scott's films are poorly made.

The theatrical version released in America dropped the Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack and was cut from 150 minutes to about 90 minutes, and Goldsmith's symphony score was replaced with Tangerine Dream and Jon Anderson (of Yes) on vocals. Tangerine Dream fits the film's fantasy storyline and brooding cinematography - if you've heard their music, you'll already know why.

The film as a whole is rather unspectacular, though. Tom Cruise plays Jack, a commoner who has to embark on a quest to defeat the Dark Lord (Tim Curry), who plans on destroying the last of the Unicorns and unleashing infinite darkness on the world, as well as marrying Jack's girlfriend.

Watching Tom Cruise run around in leotards for two hours isn't exactly my idea of a fun movie. Over the years "Legend" has achieved a cult status (thanks partly to its numerous edits) but I've found myself equally underwhelmed by both the American version and the director's cut.

A fairy tale on film.

[Gary2012 · 9/10 · 14 February 2008]

I've read a lot of opposing views here and there are valid views on both sides. I guess it boils down to what your imagination can be hopefully transfered to film for you enjoyment.

I've seen my fair share of fantasy films in my life and Legend probably reached to that part of me quicker than any film of that genre than has been done before and since. Lord of the Rings surpasses it on many levels...but Legeng still has the ability after all these years to make me think of pure fantasy, and that's what I believe this film is about. Good vs evil is what most films are about, but Legend is what fairies and goblins and a mystical forests are!

Visually I doubt you can find much better even 20 odd years later! Good vs evil in a setting that is set in a purer forum. Character development here are not too strong, but they're not meant to be. They are strong enough to portray love vs evil vs good and bad, and they do it well in the context of the story. Tom Cruise did a good Job as the Nieve and yet courageous Jack, Lily was a the prize of his longing and it came across as undeniable. Mia Sara as lily is the stuff of youthful longing.

Tim Curry played the spoiler and he did it to the point of stealing all of the film. He is the stuff of fantasy. The costume was spectacular, and his portrayal of the character was commanding...And over the top cause that what he does well!

I enjoyed the directors cut film more as it is longer and tells the story just a little better, but I enjoyed Tangarines Dream's score more as it captured the mood of fantasy ( for me) as set in a mystical place! Jerry Goldsmith had some very good moments, but TD for me layed out a fairytale with my eyes closed better.

But at the end you either see this for the pure fantasy it is about or you see it as something deeper that it doesn't pretend to be. It's much purer in it's view on good vs evil and to my taste it hits on every level of that platform. And not to mention it's ability to make for a great dream filled with hope and danger.

Pure fantasy...and should be viewed with that intent.

I love it!

[BandSAboutMovies · 7/10 · 7 December 2019]

This Ridley Scott movie has always stood out from his other work to me, as it's quite literally a children's story about the most archetypical battle between the good of Jack (Tom Cruise) and evil of the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Much like how the original fairy tales were incredibly dark, this movie is filled with morbid imagery and a villain that may overwhelm viewers, making them love him more than the protagonist.

The death of the unicorn in this film is a moment that many 1980's children will remember as quite possibly the end of said childhood.

The true star of this movie remains Curry, who is absolutely incredible (as always). He spent five and a half hours a day just to get into the makeup, which then needed a full hour of bathing to remove all the adhesive. One day, Curry grew impatient and claustrophobic, removing the makeup and some of his own skin. He was off the film for a week to recover.

Interestingly enough, the European and director's cut of this film don't use Tangerine Dream, but instead feature music by Jerry Goldsmith. There was also a Bryan Ferry song, "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" that features Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and a music video for that as well.

If you look in n Meg Mucklebones' swamp and when the unicorn is chained up, you can even stop Pazuzu from The Exorcist.

Much like many of Scott's early efforts like Blade Runner - and several other films on this list - this movie wasn't considered a classic when it was released. But today? Today it certainly is.

Beautiful to look at, boring to watch

[Groverdox · 4/10 · 25 March 2019]

Watching "Legend", I wanted to slap Ridley Scott for having such an extraordinary vision at his finger tips and completely failing to put it to the service of any kind of story.

"Legend" is a beautiful fantasy that just becomes hopelessly, tiresomely boring. I have no idea what it was about, and I've only just finished watching it.

The movie is a "dark fantasy", perhaps less because of its themes - since I don't know what those were - than its colour palette, which is very dark.

It would have worked as a photography book on a fantasy theme. It doesn't work as a movie.

A stunning movie .

[Shadowman82 · 9/10 · 28 April 2003]

Legend is one of those movies you either love or hate . It's a fantasy movie but it doesn't really contain a whole lot of action which is probably why many people are turned off by it . But the film is visually stunning and features a good performance by Tim Curry as "Darkness" , Tom Cruise on the other hand looks a bit confused throughout the movie . Also Rob Bottin's Make up is just amazing .

Now things weren't helped by the fact that there are so many versions of this movie and some are vastly better than others . The weakest and shortest of the all is the US theatrical cut because it misses many scenes and ads a few that seem tacked on but worst of all it contains a score by Tangerine Dream instead of the original one by Jerry Goldsmith .

The European cut is better in that it is longer and it features Jerry Goldsmith's score .

The best version however is the Director's Cut featured on The Ultimate Edition DVD . It runs alot longer than any of the other cuts and it is the most coherent cut as well and it features the score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Only dead meat waits for the stewpot

[Anonymous_Maxine · 7/10 · 5 March 2007]

For me, Tom Cruise has two distinctly separate but equally encompassing personas – the unstoppable, eternally cool flyboy that he became the year after this film was released, and the kooky scientologist nutcase that he has become. That being said, I find it difficult to fit a third personality onto his overflowing iconography, that of a sprightly, forest-dwelling manifestation of innocence that he plays in this movie, although there are times in the movie where he really inhabits his role.

I will admit that the first half of the film bored me almost to tears, but it is impossible to deny the set design, the fairy world that was created on sound stages for the film. The atmosphere is simply astonishing, and although many of the costumes and situations are a little too cartoonish (Tom Cruise, for example, punches Satan in the movie), the characters are all clever, there are amazing performances, and Ridley Scott takes one or two opportunities that he still knows how to make you cringe with creepy, slimy, long-fingered creatures. Tim Curry, as the Lord of Darkness, is absolutely phenomenal. This has to be one of the best performances I've ever seen from him.

Also in the movie's defense, it is brilliantly written. It is full of powerful statements whose meaning goes far beyond the film as a whole ("What is light without darkness? What are you without me?"). My understanding is that the movie was a box office disappointment, and I would just like to say that, despite this movie's popular failure (and I do think that it is better than it's popular reputation), I am certainly glad that they decided to go ahead with the production and release of Labyrinth the following year!

Just Die Jack...

[rencej · 1/10 · 2 April 2004]

so that this utterly horrid movie would end faster!! I had to watch this on my sister's birthday as it was her "birthday movie". Never before had I so hoped the bad guy would hurry up and kill the good guy so I could get out of the theater! Luckily for Cruise this stinker was bookended by two really good movies or his career may have flamed out.

Most of the other actors did a decent job, but I think the story was just horrible. Hard to create a diamond out of pig s**t, and they really shouldn't have tried. I know it sounds like I'm being really harsh, but watch the movie and you'll understand what I'm saying. It really is painful to watch!