PLEASE! If you want to see this film, look for the 114 minute director's cut with Jerry Goldsmith's score. The shorter, theatrical cut is the one that got deservedly panned in '85. It strips the movie of any sense of pacing and character development. Tangerine Dream's score is out of place and ruins some of the best moments by completely missing the tone needed. It also has two pop songs that ruin the mood even further (I love Bryan Ferry but WTF). Finally, the ending is different and undermines the themes Scott was going for.
That said, the director's cut is a masterpiece. My favorite from the wave of dark fantasy films from the 80's like Return to Oz, Neverending Story, The Company of Wolves and The Dark Crystal. A true hidden gem.
If Blade Runner's awful theatrical cut with the narration was turned into a curiosity, I hope the same can be done with Legend.
By all accounts, the theatrical cut of Ridley Scott's Legend is a trite mess, but I didn't fall head over heels for the Director's Cut either. Reading up on it, I agree with all of that cut's decisions, but it's not enough for me to care about this story, even if it cannot be argued that it looks terrific in comparison with other fantasy films of the era. Scott fills the screen with interest, whether vegetation, pollen, smoke, glitter, or movement, and there are no dodgy effects moments. In fact, the make-up effects are so good, the actors I wanted to see are impossible to recognize. How is the Lord of Darkness Tim Curry? Indeed why have Robert Picardo play a sea hag? What puts me at a distance, however, is the fairy tale psychology of the leads, which I understand intellectually, but am not particularly engaged by. Tom Cruise seems particularly awkward with the dialog as written, and I don't know if it's because of what became his screen persona, or if he and Mia Sara are just too "modern" to work in this context. The story shares many points with Krull, and is generally better from every perspective except one - fun. Nice to see the unicorn from Blade Runner again, though.
I've found 4 versions of this film:
Theatrical + Tangerine Dream (US)
Theatrical + Goldsmith - opening scroll (Italy) (also offers more image filling even than the DC)
Director's Cut + Goldsmith (BDrip offers best quality image)
Director's Cut + Tangerine Dream (fanedit if it is made available again)
Not the best movie ever. The visuals are actually really interesting, but the story is just stereotypical. It's good for children who also liked Hook, but not for your average movie critic.
pretty painful. some interesting visuals, but the story is so bland. And there is very little self-awareness. Almost all the characters are completely forgettable
except the pretty cool looking "Darkness" character"
One ring to rule them all, I sense a presence in the force... I mean forest...one i have not felt since. The movie George and Peter didn't want you to see.
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Comments 1 - 9 of 9
the3rdman
Can't believe this isn't on the fantasy best-of list.baraka92
PLEASE! If you want to see this film, look for the 114 minute director's cut with Jerry Goldsmith's score. The shorter, theatrical cut is the one that got deservedly panned in '85. It strips the movie of any sense of pacing and character development. Tangerine Dream's score is out of place and ruins some of the best moments by completely missing the tone needed. It also has two pop songs that ruin the mood even further (I love Bryan Ferry but WTF). Finally, the ending is different and undermines the themes Scott was going for.That said, the director's cut is a masterpiece. My favorite from the wave of dark fantasy films from the 80's like Return to Oz, Neverending Story, The Company of Wolves and The Dark Crystal. A true hidden gem.
If Blade Runner's awful theatrical cut with the narration was turned into a curiosity, I hope the same can be done with Legend.
fonz
Visually interesting. Good thing TC got some teeth work done.dpanter
Tim Curry is da man.Siskoid
By all accounts, the theatrical cut of Ridley Scott's Legend is a trite mess, but I didn't fall head over heels for the Director's Cut either. Reading up on it, I agree with all of that cut's decisions, but it's not enough for me to care about this story, even if it cannot be argued that it looks terrific in comparison with other fantasy films of the era. Scott fills the screen with interest, whether vegetation, pollen, smoke, glitter, or movement, and there are no dodgy effects moments. In fact, the make-up effects are so good, the actors I wanted to see are impossible to recognize. How is the Lord of Darkness Tim Curry? Indeed why have Robert Picardo play a sea hag? What puts me at a distance, however, is the fairy tale psychology of the leads, which I understand intellectually, but am not particularly engaged by. Tom Cruise seems particularly awkward with the dialog as written, and I don't know if it's because of what became his screen persona, or if he and Mia Sara are just too "modern" to work in this context. The story shares many points with Krull, and is generally better from every perspective except one - fun. Nice to see the unicorn from Blade Runner again, though.Armoreska
I've found 4 versions of this film:Theatrical + Tangerine Dream (US)
Theatrical + Goldsmith - opening scroll (Italy) (also offers more image filling even than the DC)
Director's Cut + Goldsmith (BDrip offers best quality image)
Director's Cut + Tangerine Dream (fanedit if it is made available again)
Rubenvd
Not the best movie ever. The visuals are actually really interesting, but the story is just stereotypical. It's good for children who also liked Hook, but not for your average movie critic.CrumbThumber
pretty painful. some interesting visuals, but the story is so bland. And there is very little self-awareness. Almost all the characters are completely forgettablethestaulker
One ring to rule them all, I sense a presence in the force... I mean forest...one i have not felt since. The movie George and Peter didn't want you to see.