Legend

LEGEND (PG)

D: Ridley Scott

20th Century Fox/Universal (Arnon Milchan)

UK 1985 (US release: 1986)

94 mins

Fantasy

W: William Hjortsberg

DP: Alex Thomson

Ed: Terry Rawlings

Mus: Jerry Goldsmith (US version: Tangerine Dream)

PD: Assheton Gorton

Cos: Charles Knode

Tom Cruise (Jack), Mia Sara (Princess Lily), Tim Curry (Darkness), David Bennett (Honeythorn Gump), Alice Playten (Blix), Billy Barty (Screwball)

Ridley Scott's flawed fantasy has some merits, visually it’s amazing and the production design and makeup effects are absolutely fantastic.

The production itself was bereft with problems, principal photography was completed in 1984, but it took another year for the film to initially be released, before director Ridley Scott decided to re-edit the material for a 1986 mainstream American release as test screenings reacted badly to the cut already released in Europe, although this is the version that I personally prefer, since it contains more mystery surrounding the villain and a fantastic music score from Jerry Goldsmith that atmospherically represents the setting.

The story had potential, but the film's assets are that it's more beautiful to look at than to listen to (especially with the awful music score in the US version).

Tom Cruise plays a young peasant boy who takes his beautiful young sweetheart to see the last remaining unicorns, but a satanic demon has plans for them and their magical horns, giving him the strength to turn day into night.

Tim Curry's menacing performance as the devilish "darkness" practically saves this film, which becomes quite mawkish and a little boring in places with the rest of the mythical creatures and it's unlikely to appeal to young children of today's generation.

Visually, it is a spectacle, but the story lacks any real depth. I'd recommend the UK/European cut over the US version, but my overall rating would reflect both.

6/10