If there was ever a movie that deserved to be seen only for its visual splendour, Legend is it. Director Ridley Scott put every egg at his disposal into his mid-1980s special effects basket, and it’s too bad that the narrative structure isn’t as impressive, because this could have been a genre classic if it had benefited from a meatier screenplay and a studio that didn’t butcher the final product.
Tom Cruise takes on the somewhat corny role of Jack, a feral “nature boy” who is forced to rescue his dull but pretty girlfriend, Mina, from the clutches of Darkness himself. There are some sinfully gorgeous moments early on involving unicorns and deliciously slimy goblins, but it’s all so choppy you feel like you’re watching a rock video with some sweet-natured yet uncomfortable dialogue. But as far as what you’re seeing is concerned – wow. Ridley Scott lights these early scenes like we’re in the Garden of Eden, complete with soaring faeries, showers of blossoms, gleaming shafts of light, and a pair of luminous unicorns.
After capering about with Jack, silly Mina decides she needs to touch one of the unicorns, and all hell promptly breaks loose. The lush forest is cast into an instantaneous season of winter, and the minions of Darkness swoop in to take advantage of Mina’s folly. After realizing what’s happened, Jack teams up with numerous Dungeons and Dragons types (Elves, Faeries, and so on) to rescue his woman. In true storybook fashion, earth will be plunged into eternal darkness unless Jack can reclaim the world’s last living unicorn.
Unfortunately, the only version of Legend that’s been available in America (up until now) runs 89 minutes, and it’s plain to see that large chunks were excised for some unknown reason. Scenes just kind of fall into each other, characters vanish for a while, and the pacing is often confused. Despite all this, I’ve always liked Legend. Long-time fans will be thrilled to learn that Scott has gone back and given this cult classic a “Director’s Cut” treatment. Though the essential plot is the same, several early scenes of exposition of character development are added and the overall tone of the movie shifts into a much ‘sweeter’ disposition. Jerry Goldsmith’s original score is re-applied to wonderful effect, while the Tangerine Dream soundtrack is justifiably relegated to the U.S. version on Disc 2 of the DVD version.
Legend is alternately silly, sublime, wondrous and (at times) pretty darn corny. Cruise as Jack is generally quite wooden, and Mia Sara doesn’t exactly vie for an Oscar nomination either. But Tim Curry is the epitome of all things enjoyably evil. The talented character actor is virtually unrecognizable, coated with some of the most impressive make-up and prosthetics ever put on film. You could be someone who ultimately detests this movie, and you’ll still be amazed by what Curry does with this role.
The original American cut of this movie was a gorgeous film undone by haphazard storytelling and the belief that studio executives could somehow make a better film than could the director of Blade Runner. While the director’s cut certainly doesn’t eliminate all of Legend’s flaws, it does go a long way toward improving the movie in several ways. Those with a fondness for this mini-cult classic will definitely appreciate the restored footage, and this new cut should also find itself some new fans. If movies like Krull, Willow and Dragonslayer satisfy your need for fanciful adventure flicks, then Legend is definitely worth your attention.
If movies like Krull, Willow and Dragonslayer satisfy your need for fanciful adventure flicks, then Legend is definitely worth your attention.- Scott Weinberg
