IMDb >
Legend (1985)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsLegend (1985) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 4) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
William Hjortsberg (written by)
Release Date:
18 April 1986 (USA)
more
Tagline:
This is such stuff as dreams are made of. This is Legend. more
Plot:
A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from both destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 1 win
&
9 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
Why So Blue? Avatar Continues the Trend of Blue Fantasy Creatures
(From thetorchonline. 15 December 2009, 7:39 AM, PST)
Robin Hood trailer
(From JoBlo. 14 December 2009, 7:01 PM, PST)
(From thetorchonline. 15 December 2009, 7:39 AM, PST)
Robin Hood trailer
(From JoBlo. 14 December 2009, 7:01 PM, PST)
User Reviews:
LEGEND: Gothic, Grim, Beautiful, Enchanting, Magical, Dreamy, Fantastic, and ultimately Constant.
more (249 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Tom Cruise | ... | Jack | |
| Mia Sara | ... | Lili | |
| Tim Curry | ... | Darkness | |
| David Bennent | ... | Gump | |
| Alice Playten | ... | Blix | |
| Billy Barty | ... | Screwball | |
| Cork Hubbert | ... | Brown Tom | |
| Peter O'Farrell | ... | Pox | |
| Kiran Shah | ... | Blunder | |
| Annabelle Lanyon | ... | Oona | |
| Robert Picardo | ... | Meg Mucklebones | |
| Tina Martin | ... | Nell | |
| Ian Longmur | ... | Demon Cook | |
| Mike Crane | ... | Demon Cook | |
| Liz Gilbert | ... | Dancing Black Dress |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Legend of Darkness (UK) (working title)
Legend: Ultimate Edition (USA) (reissue title (video title))
more
Legend: Ultimate Edition (USA) (reissue title (video title))
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min | USA:114 min (director's cut) | USA:89 min
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Iceland:12 |
Brazil:Livre |
USA:Unrated (director's cut) |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Chile:TE |
Finland:K-12 |
France:U |
Ireland:G |
Peru:PT |
Singapore:PG |
Sweden:11 |
UK:PG |
USA:PG |
West Germany:12 |
Netherlands:AL
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The sound of the unicorns at play is actually a recording of humpback whales.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: As Lily's sword cuts the unicorn's chain freeing it, Jack shoots his arrow at the Devil and you can see the arrow strike his neck on the left side. However in the next shot you see that Jack has not yet released his arrow.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Danger Zone: The Making of 'Top Gun' (2004) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Is Your Love Strong Enough
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (249 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Legend (1985) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Willow | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Stardust | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | The Princess Bride |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Fantasy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |









Ridley Scotts' fallen masterpiece "Legend" has, in it's own rite, become one of the most infamous, if not fascinating, legacies in Hollywood. In 1984, Ridley Scott, director of the famed sci-fi "Alien", set out to tell a defining fairy tale. Once he was joined by writer William Hjortsberg, the duo started off on a creative journey to conjure what would become the beloved film "Legend". The film was further more given the appropriate elements for the general fairy tale. The Princess, the Hero, the Villain, the Goblins, the Fairies, and the other magical characters and creatures such as the Unicorns and Honeythorn Gump. Seeing as the film is intended to be a definitive fairy tale, this would also mean tracing the modern genre back to its' roots, Grim style. Indeed, the completed product was pure in it's woven fables. Just as it is tender, and bright, is it also dark, surreal, nightmarish, and ultimately entrancing. More of the film deals with the overshadow of darkness in the magical land. A proper way to show the sudden switch from light and happy, to dark and fearsome indeed.
In the story, we have the world, happy, beautiful, completely compelling in its' own nature. The dark truth lies within its' own reality. Darkness once ruled the world, but has since retreated into the lower levels of the earth, to groan and complain of times in a better existence. The world is happy, because the Unicorn, a very dear, and sacred animal, rules the land. These gorgeous creatures know only love and laughter, and thusly, protect the world from evil. They are attracted to one element in man kind, innocence. Princes Lily is pure at heart, as well as mind and spirit. Her soul friend, Jack, leads her to the creatures, as a gesture of love and affection. Quite unfortunately, however, the Lord Darkness has sent his own army after the creatures too. Once both sides are at the right place, and the wrong time, the Unicorns are harmed, and the earth, in danger. Thus begins a journey full of action, adventure, and suspense.
Tom Cruise has only performed well in this one film, for me anyway. He is actually quite affective, and believable as the hero Jack. He shows both strength and bravery, to contrast with confusion and fear of the unknown. Very plausible indeed. Mia Sara is so gorgeous, naive, and pure as the Princess. Her characteristics consist of a blind ambition, love stricken playfulness, and of course, Innocence. Never, has this genre seen such a perfect portrayal. Now, Tim Curry turns in one hell of a performance. Thanks to modern film-making, Curry is a frightening, disgusting, and yet sexual portrayal of ultimate Darkness. The three stars are all mixed together in a real Fairy Tale, with a message at the end. (note, this message is only seen in the 2002 restored Directors Cut).
I do not feel the need to bring up the controversy that ensued the principal photography, as it is well known by fans and film buffs of all kind. What I can say, is that Ridley Scott was certainly determined to give us the product of his imagination. That said, he gave us a real fantasy. he has given us a real story of magic,, love, hate,adventure, and all kinds of elements that create what a film like this should be. One thing to truly be mentioned, however, is the late Jerry Goldsmith. This master at film composition of the musical persuasion, gave us his ultimate best, and that was being generous and forgetting about getting stabbed in the back during the processing of "Alien". Again, the great musician was tricked, and his beautiful score was thrown out the window from US versions, leaving the film to sugary and sappy. Even worse, important scenes were cut, leaving much of the film uneven and seemingly rushed. Sad enough, this kind of treatment happened a year earlier with 1984's "Supergirl". Fortunately, however, we were given the true version of the film in mid 2002, and rightly so. The film has since then, been seen, and loved by fans as myself, who loved it way back when....as well as now.
The best I can say, is that this movie has a full blown mastermind to it, and the producers and creators etc finally gave the film justice. Same happened with "Supergirl" in 2000. Bottom line, this film is brilliant, and touching, and an ever- glorious masterpiece!