Legend
Directed by Ridley Scott
Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lili and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness, or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.
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Legend Ratings & Reviews
- EnochLight30 June 2025A Dark Fantasy Dreamscape!!!! Where do I even begin? Live-action unicorns? Check. Faeries? Check. Swamp witch? Check. One of the most unforgettable portrayals of evil ever committed to film? Absolutely check. Ridley Scott’s 1985 fantasy epic "Legend" has earned something of a mixed legacy over the years, often dismissed or overlooked—possibly due to Tom Cruise’s own awkward relationship with the film—but for fans of the fantasy genre, it's nothing short of a visual treasure. To me, it's one of the most beautiful fantasy films ever made, and it deserves to be celebrated. Tom Cruise stars as Jack, the forest-dwelling hero tasked with restoring balance to a world teetering into eternal darkness. While his performance is serviceable (and maybe a bit wooden in hindsight), he fits the archetype well enough. Opposite him, Mia Sara (in her film debut) brings a graceful innocence to the role of Princess Lili. But the real star here—without question—is Tim Curry as "Darkness". Towering, terrifying, and strangely charismatic, Curry delivers a powerhouse performance beneath layers of astonishing prosthetic makeup designed by the legendary Rob Bottin. Bottin, known for his groundbreaking work on "The Thing" and "The Howling", created one of cinema’s most iconic villains with curling horns, blood-red skin, and a voice that drips with menace. It’s no exaggeration to say that Curry’s Darkness is a masterclass in both creature design and villainous performance. The story itself is a fairly straightforward battle between light and dark—mythic in structure and dreamlike in execution—but that’s not really the point. This is a film to be ***experienced***. The cinematography by Alex Thomson (Excalibur, The Keep, Labyrinth) is exquisite. Every frame glows like a living Pre-Raphaelite painting, rich with texture, color, and atmosphere. The film was shot almost entirely on massive, hand-built soundstage sets at Pinewood Studios (before tragically burning down near the end of production), and they are nothing short of breathtaking. No CGI, just pure practical effects, mist, and glittering light. And then there’s the music. Jerry Goldsmith’s original orchestral score (used in the European release and later restored in the Director’s Cut) is majestic, haunting, and perfectly matched to the film’s mythic tone. Meanwhile, American audiences got a very different experience with a synthesizer-heavy score by Tangerine Dream, which gave the movie a more surreal, dream-pop flavor. Both scores have their merits, but Goldsmith’s composition is the more timeless and emotionally resonant of the two. That said, I’ll always have a nostalgic soft spot for Bryan Ferry’s “Is Your Love Strong Enough” playing over the end credits—it was pure 1985 MTV magic. At the time of its release, "Legend" struggled both critically and commercially, but it has since gained a devoted cult following. And rightfully so. Ridley Scott, fresh off "Blade Runner" and just before "Thelma & Louise", was hitting his visual stride as a director. His attention to detail, mood, and world-building is on full display here. Is it a perfect film? No. But for fantasy lovers, it’s a rare gem—strange, beautiful, eerie, and unforgettable. Whether you watch the theatrical cut or the Director’s Cut (which is strongly recommended), "Legend" is essential viewing for fans of dark fairy tales, practical effects, and 1980s fantasy cinema at its most ambitious. ------------------ Alternatively: Princess Lili lives in sunny, idyllic Seasonal Allergy Forest, where she thirsts after Jack in the Green, who's clearly more into musical theater. There are also unicorns in the forest, and an evil demon sends some goblins to kill them and take their horns, leading to a deep winter falling over the land. However, one unicorn remains alive, and Jack, along with some muppets, finds it, and the unicorn decides Jack must defeat the evil. In the meantime, Lili is captured by The Darkness and seduced into liking The Sisters of Mercy. Will Jack arrive in time to save the day and turn Lili preppie again?
- Billy Zane17 hr agoI hadn't seen this movie since I was a kid, and I remember not liking it very much. I watched the Director's Cut, and I loved it. The atmosphere is great and the story moves along smoothly. Definitely a solid fantasy movie.
- Goosebumper22 March 2026It may not have the most interesting characters or creative plot but when it comes to the rest of the production -costumes, set design, special effects, makeup, the soundtrack - Legend shines. The visuals are lush with colour and details. Never has a forest looked so enchanting. Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness is so much fun.
- Richard9 November 2025This one’s pure fantasy fever dream. Tom Cruise crouches through a mythical forest while unicorns prance and Tim Curry shows up as the most iconic villain ever dipped in latex. Mia Sara floats around like a fairy tale painting and the goblins look like they escaped from a German puppet show. The vibe? Mist, glitter, fog machines and Rob Bottin’s prosthetics doing overtime. No CGI, just pure ‘80s magic. The story’s simple: save the unicorns, stop eternal winter and resist the seductive goth energy of Darkness. Curry’s voice alone could melt glaciers. Depending on your version, you either get Jerry Goldsmith’s majestic score or Tangerine Dream’s synth trip. Both work. But Goldsmith’s cut? That’s the one you want if you’re in it for the mythic mood. It’s not about plot, it’s about atmosphere. Every frame glows like a Pre Raphaelite painting. And yes, it’s weird. But weird in the best way.
- FranBiz6 May 2025Beautiful movie. Great cast and crew. This is a must watch for anyone who's a fan of the fantasy genre. It's worth noting that it's recommended to check out the director's cut (or UK version) if you only saw the US theatrical version. There's many things that were cut out in the theatrical, so that's why I recommend it.
- parktool6926 September 2025I love unicorns
- Cole27 April 2025Mesmerizing would be an understatement. Breathtaking, ethereal piece of fantasy filmmaking. Need more Tom in stuff like this.
- CharlotteCOSMIC13 October 2024Classic! An all-rounder of talent - a lot of time and effort was clearly put into it and i paid off massively!
Legend Trivia
Legend was released on 28 August 1985.
Legend was directed by Ridley Scott.
Legend has a runtime of 1h 34m.
Legend was produced by Arnon Milchan.
Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lili and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness, or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.
The key characters in Legend are Jack (Tom Cruise), Princess Lili (Mia Sara), Lord of "Darkness" (Tim Curry).
Legend is rated PG.
Legend is an Adventure, Fantasy, Romance film.
Legend has an audience rating of 7.3 out of 10.
Legend had a budget of US$24.5M.
Legend has made US$15.5M at the box office.