Legend directed by Ridley Scott

Fig. 1 Legend box art

Legend directed by Ridley Scott, is a classic high fantasy fairy tale story. Darkness (Tim Curry) tries to destroy all the light and goodness in the world and create an everlasting night by killing and taking the horns off the unicorns. Lili (Mia Sara) touches a unicorn unknowing that it’s strictly forbidden for mortals to touch them. Jack (Tom Cruise) must take on big responsibilities to go and destroy darkness and restore order to the world.

This film is just a basic generic fantasy fairy tale film; it’s got goblins, fairies, unicorns and Darkness with the appearance of the devil and evil setting about to destroy the good. However there is no denying this film had spectacular set designs and character makeup which pretty much makes up for the lack of originality in the story telling. “Let it be said that "Legend" is an impressive technical achievement. Scott is a perfectionist who takes infinite pains to make things look right.” (Ebert 1986) Scott made a huge effort to make the film look great and to create immersion within the film.

Fig. 2 Tim Curry as Darkness

There is a strong sense of good and evil that runs throughout this film. Scott youse of light is evident being used in the scenes with Jack and Lili to light up certain objects and to emphasize them.  “He uses production design, costumes, lighting, and makeup to suggest a sumptuous world of magic and wonder” (Biodrowski 2009) When they see the unicorns, partial slivers of light show on their faces to give the impression the area they are in is secretive and concealed. When the camera moves to the unicorns they are lit up in the centre of the scene as glowing beacons of light.

Fig. 3 Unicorns in the clearing

Scott seems to have wanted to look into the darker sides of fairy tales with this movie as well as trying to appeal to a wider audience, you do get the sense of darkness and other dark desires show through in the Lord of Darkness’s domain which again is a great set design and makeup. “It is genuinely creepy in parts. Meg Mucklebones and the goblin Blix are freaky characters who were superbly put together by Rob Bottin” (Scythe 2011) The goblins in particular are creepy to look at and depict the personalities of them rather well.

Fig. 4 Goblin 

Illustration List

Scott, R (1985) Figure 1. Legend box art [online] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/

(Accessed on 19/11/11)

Scott, R (1985) Figure 2. Tim Curry as Darkness [online] http://www.cinemasquid.com/blu-ray/movies/screenshots/sets/legend-theatrical/f5d70ef8-8259-4e0c-af5a-a3cdc1fd8bb1 (Accessed on 19/11/11)

Scott, R (1985) Figure 3. Unicorns in the clearing [online] http://www.cinemasquid.com/blu-ray/movies/screenshots/sets/legend-theatrical/f5d70ef8-8259-4e0c-af5a-a3cdc1fd8bb1 (Accessed on 19/11/11)

Scott, R (1985) Figure 4. Goblin [online] http://geparile.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/legend-1985/

(Accessed on 19/11/11)

Bibliography

Roger Ebert (1986) (online) http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19860418/REVIEWS/604180302/1023 (Accessed on 16/11/11)

Steve Biodrowski (2009) (online) http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2009/05/legend-1985-retrospective-film-dvd-review/ (Accessed on 16/11/11)

Ramius Scythe (2011) (online) http://www.horrorchronicles.com/adventure-movies/legend-1985-review.html  (Accessed on 16/11/11)