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 made 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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