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Willow

  • 1988
  • 12
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
130K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,753
110
Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Billy Barty, Warwick Davis, Kevin Pollak, Jean Marsh, Gavan O'Herlihy, Rick Overton, and Pat Roach in Willow (1988)
Trailer for Willow
Play trailer1:23
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureDrama

A young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.A young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.A young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.

  • Director
    • Ron Howard
  • Writers
    • George Lucas
    • Bob Dolman
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Joanne Whalley
    • Warwick Davis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    130K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,753
    110
    • Director
      • Ron Howard
    • Writers
      • George Lucas
      • Bob Dolman
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Joanne Whalley
      • Warwick Davis
    • 315User reviews
    • 123Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 1 win & 12 nominations total

    Videos2

    Willow: Blu-Ray
    Trailer 1:23
    Watch Willow: Blu-Ray
    Ron Howard Recalls Wild Parties on the Set of 'Willow'
    Clip 0:50
    Watch Ron Howard Recalls Wild Parties on the Set of 'Willow'

    Photos336

    Warwick Davis and Jack Purvis in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
    Val Kilmer in Willow (1988)
    Val Kilmer and Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
    Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis, Kate Greenfield, and Ruth Greenfield in Willow (1988)
    Val Kilmer in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
    Jean Marsh in Willow (1988)
    Warwick Davis, Kate Greenfield, Ruth Greenfield, and David Steinberg in Willow (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Madmartigan
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Sorsha
    Warwick Davis
    Warwick Davis
    • Willow
    Jean Marsh
    Jean Marsh
    • Queen Bavmorda
    Patricia Hayes
    Patricia Hayes
    • Raziel
    Billy Barty
    Billy Barty
    • High Aldwin
    Pat Roach
    Pat Roach
    • Kael
    Gavan O'Herlihy
    Gavan O'Herlihy
    • Airk
    David Steinberg
    David Steinberg
    • Meegosh
    Phil Fondacaro
    Phil Fondacaro
    • Vohnkar
    Tony Cox
    Tony Cox
    • Vohnkar Warrior
    Robert Gillibrand
    • Vohnkar Warrior
    Mark Northover
    Mark Northover
    • Burglekutt
    Kevin Pollak
    Kevin Pollak
    • Rool
    Rick Overton
    Rick Overton
    • Franjean
    Maria Holvoe
    Maria Holvoe
    • Cherlindrea
    • (as Maria Holvöe)
    Julie Peters
    • Kiaya
    Mark Vandebrake
    • Ranon
    • (as Mark Vande Brake)
    • Director
      • Ron Howard
    • Writers
      • George Lucas
      • Bob Dolman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Warwick Davis, the film had the largest ever casting call for "little people" at the time. Between 225 and 240 actors were hired for the film.
    • Goofs
      Just after Willow's wagon goes over the fallen tree during the cart chase, one of the horses steps on the tree and leaving an imprint showing that it is made of foam.
    • Quotes

      Willow: What are you doing?

      Madmartigan: I found some blackroot. She loves it.

      Willow: Blackroot? I'm the father of two children, and you never, ever give a baby blackroot.

      Madmartigan: Well my mother raised us on it. It's good for you! It put's hair on your chest, right Sticks?

      Willow: Her name is not Sticks! She's Elora Danan, the future empress of Tir Asleen and the last thing she's gonna want is a hairy chest!

    • Crazy credits
      Although he played the title role, Warwick Davis took just third billing. Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley took first and second billing respectively.
    • Alternate versions
      In order to obtain a PG certificate by the BBFC in the UK, 34 seconds were edited for the theatrical version.
      • The boars killing the midwife early in the film was cut entirely.
      • The scene of Bavmorda turning people into pigs was toned down. One shot of Madmartigan's transformation was cut, and a shot of Sorsha collapsing to the ground was cut.
      • Also, during the fight at the castle towards the end, Willow zaps the troll with his wand, and 2 creatures emerge from its skin. In the UK version of this film, the bit where the creatures quickly rip the skin off of the troll is missing.
      • General Kael's stabbing of Airk was shortened.
      • Some of the bloodiest moments in the fight between Madmartigan and Kasel were cut. Also, cut was the second sword thrust into General Kael when Madmartigan steps on the sword and drives it through him.
      • Shots of Raziel punching Bavmorda in the face was cut and Bavmorda strangling Raziel was shortened.
      • The distributors also reduced the redness of the blood in some fight scenes and toned down certain sound effects. The film was only available in the UK in this censored form until 2002, when the BBFC passed the film uncut with a PG rating.
    • Connections
      Edited into No Feat But What We Make: 'Terminator 2' and the Rise of Digital Effects (2003)

    User reviews315

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    AMAZING start, good middle, terrible finale.
    It's one of those films they starting SUPER GREAT and you saying "Oh my God, what a gem I found"... and as the film continues its getting less better and ends almost bad.

    To me, the first 40 minutes are AMAZING, probably equal to "Lord of the Rings" trilogy!!!! Trust me, THAT GOOD! And then... the plot/scenario does a HUGE drop/fall, its getting quite boring and the finale (the last battle) is almost hilarious/joke/comedy!

    But... its a remarkable fantasy film, left a mark to the fantasy universe of movies.
    helpful•5
    0
    • r-fronimides
    • Feb 16, 2021

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    FAQ3

    • How long was Willow gone on his journey?
    • What is Willow about?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 15, 1988 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Willow en la tierra del encanto
    • Filming locations
      • Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand(Lake Kayaking Scene)
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Lucasfilm
      • Imagine Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $57,269,863
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,300,169
      • May 22, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $57,270,852
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

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    Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Billy Barty, Warwick Davis, Kevin Pollak, Jean Marsh, Gavan O'Herlihy, Rick Overton, and Pat Roach in Willow (1988)
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