Score : 7/10
Year : 1985 (Most EU countries) ; 1986 (US, Mexico, Poland). Even later in a few countries
Country: USA. UK
Language: English (Italian announced on IMDB, I didn't hear it)
Duration: Multiple cuts.
Theatrical international= 1h35.
Theatrical US= 1h29
Director's cut = 1h54
Rough cut = 2h05 (haven't been able to find on any disc)
Legend is a fantasy movie with many dark aspects, using a mix of original myth and that of Jack of the woods/ in the green ( a human equivalent of the Green Man).
I really like the choice of using something else than the basic greco-roman myths, quite often used as basis for movies and shows - nothing wrong in them, but refreshing to see this one.
The movie draws heavily from Jungian psychology as well as that of evil and darkness as part of an eternal winter, wished by the Lord of Darkness (the excellent Tim Curry), who sent his goblin minions to capture the last 2 unicorns and subdue the world to his rule at the wan of their magical powers.
The cast performance is overall very good, with intense emotional moments, but also some very childish silliness which reduced my global appreciation, as well as those few dark moments and slightly too graphic, triggering my carnophobia, and during which I had to hide.
The biggest issue for me were the muttered, whispered dialogues by the fairies, especially Gump's.
I loved the gender-bender in the movie, as Robert Picardo (from Star Trek voyager) plays a female character called Meg Mucklebones, and Alice Playten plays a male character called Blix.
Characterisation is quite interesting, with shades of grey and the movie seems set in a key moment as the two main characters are on the verge of maturity ; I love that the actions follow these states of youth and maturity as they evolve, and that they aren't fully good or fully bad.
I also loved the messages of feminism and not to follow only one's sight, but one's heart, in evaluating other's actions.
There is a scene and also a dress which both were quite reminiscent of similar aspects in Jack the giant killer ( 1962), a movie I watched countless times as a young boy (although as an adult I can see its flaws).
The costuming is beautiful as are the fantasy creatures (even the ugly ones) and which seems to both be inspired by others, and to have later inspired Peter Jackson in the LOTR trilogy.
The cinematography and special effects hold up really well and are strengths of this movie, alongside the score (discussed bellow).
There are several cuts for this movie, with 2 musical scores.
US and EU theatrical cuts, as well as a director's cut and rough cut, the longest and which doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
The musical scores are either Tangerine dream, or the one I had with the director cut is Jerry Goldsmith, a veteran composer for many movies, shows and games, including Star Trek.
Jerry's composition is most of the time very engaging, full of suspense and action, with those very few moments of silliness that I didn't like.
Mia Sara's character sings 3 short songs, accompanied by a lightly played tune, which suits her voice nicely.
Dialogues (outside of silly moments) are actually well written and full of wisedom, as well as Jungian philosophical food-for-thought.
Cast :
Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty, Cork Hubbert, Peter O'Farrel, Kiran SHan, Annabelle Lanyon, Robert Picardo, et al.
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