Review of Legend (1985) by Stuart K — 17 Mar 2009

After the bleak utopian sci-fi of Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982). Director Ridley Scott wanted to go in the opposite direction, into the direction of fantasy, inspired by the films of Disney, and this is what he came up with, and it's a shame he hasn't tried it again.

Set in a fantastical land of long ago, it has the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), wanting to kill the last two unicorns living in the wild, so that the sun will never shine again. Meanwhile, two young lovers, Jack (Tom Cruise) and Princess Lily (Mia Sara) become involved with the last two unicorns and inadvertently set off a chain of evens where the male unicorn's horn is stolen, and Princess Lily is kidnapped.

So, Jack teams up with a fairy, an elf, and two dwarves to rescue the unicorn and Princess Lily before the Lord of Darkness casts the world into eternal darkness. It's such a beautiful film, albiet one with a troubled production history, (a soundstage burnt down, and Jerry Goldsmith's score was replaced by one from Tangerine Dream, Yes frontman Jon Anderson and Bryan Ferry!! :O), but it's still well made, and it came at a time when fantasy films really were in vogue, in the pre-CGI world where effects had to be done for real, it looks brilliant.

It is a brillantly imagined piece with good performances, an endearing quaintness and Scott's flawless visual eye over proceedings. Oh, and have you noticed how this has unicorns in common with Blade Runner, coincidence?? ;).