Monday, November 17, 2014

Legend Review











Legend


Release Date: 2nd January 1986 - Australia


Production Companies
Legend Production Company (made by)
Embassy International Pictures

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 95 minutes
               89 minutes (USA)
               115 minutes
               (director's cut)


Budget: $24,500,000

Box Office Gross: $23,506,237 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Set in a magical land
where all creatures live in
peace and unicorns hold
the secret of light, this is
the story of the eternal
struggle between good
and evil. But light is
deadly to the Lord of
Darkness, and with the
mystery stolen from him, a
human named Jack and a
beautiful princess must
face the terrors of his
underground castle to save
the unicorns and defeat the
darkness.


Cast
Tom Cruise - Jack
Mia Sara - Lili
Tim Curry - Darkness
David Bennent - Honeythorn Gump
Alice Playten - Blix/
Honeythorn Gump (Voice) (Uncredited)
Billy Barty - Screwball
Cork Hubbert - Brown Tom
Peter O'Farrell - Pox
Annabelle Lanyon - Oona
Kiran Shah - Blunder
Robert Picardo - Meg Mucklebones
Tina Martin - Nell

Crew
Director - Ridley Scott
Writer - William Hjortsberg
Producer - Arnon Michlan
Co-Producer - Tim Hampton
Casting: London - Noel Davis and Jeremy Zimmermann
Casting: Los Angeles - Jane Feinberg and Mike Fenton
Production Designer - Assheton Gorton
Conceptual Designer - Alan Lee (Uncredited)
Supervising Art Directors - Leslie Dilley
and Norman Dorme
Assistant Art Directors - John Fenner
and Jim Morahan
Construction Managers - Ken Pattenden
and Michael Redding
Set Decorator - Ann Mollo
Costume Designer - Charles Knode
Special Makeup Creator - Rob Bottin
Makeup Supervisor - Peter Robb-King 
Director of Photography - Alex Thomson
Additional Photography - Max Mowdray
and Harry Oakes
Underwater Unit - Jordan Klein Sr.,
John McCloughlin and Gavin McKinney
Camera Operator - Peter MacDonald
Unit Manager - David Barron
Production Supervisor - Hugh Harlow
First Assistant Directors - Garth Thomas
and Bill Westley
Unicorn Master/Stunt Coordinator - Vic Armstrong
Special Effects Supervisor - Nick Allder
Supervising Film Editor - William D. Gordean
Editor - Terry Rawlings
Additional Editor - Pamela Power
Supervising Dialogue Editor - Chris Greenham
Production Sound Mixer - Roy Charman
Chief Dubbing Mixers - Graham V. Hartstone
and Hugh Strain
Music - Jerry Goldsmith and
Tangerine Dream (USA Only)


Awards

1986 Academy Awards
Best Makeup - Rob Bottin and Peter Robb-King (Nominated)


Review
The fantasy movie LEGEND has always been overlooked by several movie-goers of the 80s when it flopped in the same year as the other fantasy but animated spectacle from Disney, The Black Cauldron. This cult movie had a turbulent history and was director Ridley Scott's intention to switch his sci-fi category into the fantasy genre after he went through the controversial changes in Blade Runner. Many years from now, after a long time since having seen LEGEND, it won't be in the same repertoire as many of his great timeless films. It approaches the dark fairytale adventure and manages to capture the spiritual elements of the story. It's a bold, daring move for Ridley but has its visible flaws, which disappoint the overall quality. Ridley had a team enlisted to supervise the designs and make-up to create the world and creatures of such beautiful European folklore.

What fascinates me the most is how Tim Curry does a superb performance as the demonic figure of Satan. You can't escape this monstrous look and deep voice, which manages to frighten the young viewers. Tom Cruise already has the youth and charisma and then adds solid-based acting to further his leading role as the protagonist. Another thing I truly liked about this version of the film is the background instrumentation by Jerry Goldsmith. It's mystical, defining and uplifting in a keen sense of scoring.

If Ridley Scott did the final cut of Blade Runner, then why couldn't he do the same for LEGEND in restoring the balance of the vision he once had? Choose the director's cut if you have the chance. Unfortunately, this version is only available in Region 1. But you can order it on eBay or watch it online.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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