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Ladyhawke
1985
A haunting adventure fantasy about a pair of cursed lovers who are transformed into animal shapes during alternate periods of the day. Broderick, who provides comic relief, is appealing as the couple's young friend, and ultimately, their rescuer. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing. Read more
| Starring | Rutger Hauer, Matthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard Donner |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Donner |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Michelle Pfeiffer as the title's pretty predator and Rutger Hauer as a legendary lycanthrope, give human poignancy to this medieval fairy tale about lovers cursed to shape-change into animals. Richard Donner, who made the first Superman adventure, proves to have an elegant eye for ancient as well as everyday fables, and it's all ravishingly filmed in Italy by Vittorio Storaro, who's worked with director Bernardo Bertolucci on films such as The Last Emperor and The Sheltering Sky. Leo McKern dispels the dark from the Dark Ages with a comic turn as a Friar Tuck-ish priest, and Matthew Broderick makes an appealing young hero.
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Broderick plays a Dark Ages version of the Artful Dodger, befriending the traumatised but bold Etienne of Navarre (camp... read more on Time Out
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"...A very likeable, very well-made fairytale....LADYHAWKE is worthwhile for its extremely authentic look alone..."
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Great fantasy adventure
Ever since I was a kid, I loved fantasy movies. As a matter of fact, anything with swordfights was great in my book. And since I grew up in the days before Lord of the Rings came along, my favourites were always those mid-to-late-eighties fantasy epics like The Princess Bride, Willow, and Ladyhawke.
It's all about an outcast knight and his lover, who have been cursed by an evil bishop to become animals during night and day, so they're never together in human form. He becomes a wolf and she becomes a hawk (hence the title). The knight enlists the help of a young thief to break into the cathedral and take his revenge on the bishop. Aside from the basic premise, it's more of a historical movie than a fantasy movie. There's no magic other than the curse, and no trolls or giants or anything, which was partly the reason I enjoyed it so much.
I've also always loved this movie for it's great storyline and interesting characters. Philipe's conversations with God still amuse me, as does the drunken monk played by Leo McKern ... It comes from director Richard Donner, who of course brought us Superman I & II, the Lethal Weapon movies and so on. This is essentially a well-directed movie, although a lot of people have issues with the choice of soundtrack. It's kind of a techno-poppy thing, which I blame NeverEnding Story for. A lot of eighties fantasy movies went with the same idea, but it works with Ladyhawke better than it works with most others, although I would of course prefer a more conventional and less intrusive score. On the whole, the sets and the props are pretty convincing, although some of the fight sequences aren't particularly great.
Here we have an early Matthew Broderick performance which shows how little his acting skills have developed since. Not that he's a bad actor, just an early bloomer I guess. Cult icon Rutger Hauer, of whom I have always been a huge fan (Blade Runner, The Hitcher, The 10th Kingdom) gives a fantastic performance as the outcast knight, and as we all know it's never a bad idea to have Michelle Pfeiffer in a movie.
You should definitely see this movie if you're a fan of the genre, or of any of the actors involved. It's a wonderful fantasy adventure for all ages. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
TENDER FANTASY ROMANCE
One of my all time favourite fantasy films, this one's got it all - tragedy, romance, action, good and evil, beautiful scenery and of course Michelle Pfeiffer. One of Matthew Broderick's more memorable roles (besides Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Torchsong Trilogy), and it's good to see Rutger Hauer away from the rainy cities he got so attached to in later years.
Sit back and escape into this beautiful medieval world. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Don't miss this classic.
Still a fantastic film, doesn't even look dated. Rutger Hauer plays a good part and is even more gorgeous because he is only young.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Great fantasy adventure
Ever since I was a kid, I loved fantasy movies. As a matter of fact, anything with swordfights was great in my book. And since I grew up in the days before Lord of the Rings came along, my favourites were always those mid-to-late-eighties fantasy epics like The Princess Bride, Willow, and Ladyhawke.
It's all about an outcast knight and his lover, who have been cursed by an evil bishop to become animals during night and day, so they're never together in human form. He becomes a wolf and she becomes a hawk (hence the title). The knight enlists the help of a young thief to break into the cathedral and take his revenge on the bishop. Aside from the basic premise, it's more of a historical movie than a fantasy movie. There's no magic other than the curse, and no trolls or giants or anything, which was partly the reason I enjoyed it so much.
I've also always loved this movie for it's great storyline and interesting characters. Philipe's conversations with God still amuse me, as does the drunken monk played by Leo McKern ... It comes from director Richard Donner, who of course brought us Superman I & II, the Lethal Weapon movies and so on. This is essentially a well-directed movie, although a lot of people have issues with the choice of soundtrack. It's kind of a techno-poppy thing, which I blame NeverEnding Story for. A lot of eighties fantasy movies went with the same idea, but it works with Ladyhawke better than it works with most others, although I would of course prefer a more conventional and less intrusive score. On the whole, the sets and the props are pretty convincing, although some of the fight sequences aren't particularly great.
Here we have an early Matthew Broderick performance which shows how little his acting skills have developed since. Not that he's a bad actor, just an early bloomer I guess. Cult icon Rutger Hauer, of whom I have always been a huge fan (Blade Runner, The Hitcher, The 10th Kingdom) gives a fantastic performance as the outcast knight, and as we all know it's never a bad idea to have Michelle Pfeiffer in a movie.
You should definitely see this movie if you're a fan of the genre, or of any of the actors involved. It's a wonderful fantasy adventure for all ages. -
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Overly long Medieval hokum!
A confession. The only reason I watched this film is because I'm a big fan of the Alan Parsons Project; sad, but true. The music is by Andrew Powell, the APP's orchestral composer and arranger, with many APP musicians contributing, and with the soundtrack produced by the 'Dark Side of the Moon' maestro himself.
It's great wondering which APP album a particular musical interlude would sit best in . . . but the downside of all this is that the music and the visuals don't sit as easy bedfellows. Orchestral rock and medieval shenanigans don't really go together and it made me approach the actual film as a bit of Monty Python Holy Grail take off.
Rutger Hauer - a sort of rugged Chris Tarrant - is suitably aloof and Michelle Pfeiffer's acting abilities don't need to get out of first gear either, though she does look suitably lovely. Matthew Broderick provides a wonderful example of overacting - no subtlety here. It's down to Leo McKern's Rumpolesque down at heel priest to save the day on the acting front.
The plot - if one can call it that - telegraphs it's denoument within a very short space of time, but unfortunately it takes a very long space of time for the perpetrator of the curse to get his cumuppence.
Enjoy it for what it is - a sentimental boy finally gets girl film set in medieval Italy (nice visuals). But don't take it seriously, and don't be afraid to laugh at the music/picture combinations.
Now - is there a soundtrack album? That'd be worth listening to.
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Great fantasy adventure
Ever since I was a kid, I loved fantasy movies. As a matter of fact, anything with swordfights was great in my book. And since I grew up in the days before Lord of the Rings came along, my favourites were always those mid-to-late-eighties fantasy epics like The Princess Bride, Willow, and Ladyhawke.
It's all about an outcast knight and his lover, who have been cursed by an evil bishop to become animals during night and day, so they're never together in human form. He becomes a wolf and she becomes a hawk (hence the title). The knight enlists the help of a young thief to break into the cathedral and take his revenge on the bishop. Aside from the basic premise, it's more of a historical movie than a fantasy movie. There's no magic other than the curse, and no trolls or giants or anything, which was partly the reason I enjoyed it so much.
I've also always loved this movie for it's great storyline and interesting characters. Philipe's conversations with God still amuse me, as does the drunken monk played by Leo McKern ... It comes from director Richard Donner, who of course brought us Superman I & II, the Lethal Weapon movies and so on. This is essentially a well-directed movie, although a lot of people have issues with the choice of soundtrack. It's kind of a techno-poppy thing, which I blame NeverEnding Story for. A lot of eighties fantasy movies went with the same idea, but it works with Ladyhawke better than it works with most others, although I would of course prefer a more conventional and less intrusive score. On the whole, the sets and the props are pretty convincing, although some of the fight sequences aren't particularly great.
Here we have an early Matthew Broderick performance which shows how little his acting skills have developed since. Not that he's a bad actor, just an early bloomer I guess. Cult icon Rutger Hauer, of whom I have always been a huge fan (Blade Runner, The Hitcher, The 10th Kingdom) gives a fantastic performance as the outcast knight, and as we all know it's never a bad idea to have Michelle Pfeiffer in a movie.
You should definitely see this movie if you're a fan of the genre, or of any of the actors involved. It's a wonderful fantasy adventure for all ages. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
TENDER FANTASY ROMANCE
One of my all time favourite fantasy films, this one's got it all - tragedy, romance, action, good and evil, beautiful scenery and of course Michelle Pfeiffer. One of Matthew Broderick's more memorable roles (besides Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Torchsong Trilogy), and it's good to see Rutger Hauer away from the rainy cities he got so attached to in later years.
Sit back and escape into this beautiful medieval world. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Don't miss this classic.
Still a fantastic film, doesn't even look dated. Rutger Hauer plays a good part and is even more gorgeous because he is only young.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
I've seen better
Interesting storyline, poorly done
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Mmm
i remember this as being quite good but i was wrong its p...
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Overly long Medieval hokum!
A confession. The only reason I watched this film is because I'm a big fan of the Alan Parsons Project; sad, but true. The music is by Andrew Powell, the APP's orchestral composer and arranger, with many APP musicians contributing, and with the soundtrack produced by the 'Dark Side of the Moon' maestro himself.
It's great wondering which APP album a particular musical interlude would sit best in . . . but the downside of all this is that the music and the visuals don't sit as easy bedfellows. Orchestral rock and medieval shenanigans don't really go together and it made me approach the actual film as a bit of Monty Python Holy Grail take off.
Rutger Hauer - a sort of rugged Chris Tarrant - is suitably aloof and Michelle Pfeiffer's acting abilities don't need to get out of first gear either, though she does look suitably lovely. Matthew Broderick provides a wonderful example of overacting - no subtlety here. It's down to Leo McKern's Rumpolesque down at heel priest to save the day on the acting front.
The plot - if one can call it that - telegraphs it's denoument within a very short space of time, but unfortunately it takes a very long space of time for the perpetrator of the curse to get his cumuppence.
Enjoy it for what it is - a sentimental boy finally gets girl film set in medieval Italy (nice visuals). But don't take it seriously, and don't be afraid to laugh at the music/picture combinations.
Now - is there a soundtrack album? That'd be worth listening to. -
Rugter Hauer, Matt Broderick, & Michelle Pfeiffer Deliver!
Talk about a cool story. Isobeau and Etienne of Navarre are cursed. By day she turns into a hawk, by night he changes into a wolf. Cursed by the Bishop of Aquilla, jealous of their love, wicked & vindictive, curses them by striking a pact with Dark Powers. Matthew Broderick is the thief Mouse. Mouse has always managed to escape the worst situations by having a talent at finding a way to run away from the danger. This can be escaping dungeons beneath Aquilla, sneaking in the city gates, and fleeing in his cowardly way any danger that may be coming his way. In short, an escape artist and one of no small talent. Etienne 'commissions' the recently sprung Mouse to help him to get into Aquilla so he may kill the Bishop, as Mouse was the only one who ever managed to get out. In their journey, Mouse uncovers the secret of Isobeau & Etienne and somehow stays with them, looking after them. Where would they be without Mouse? Inevitably he saves their lives and likewise his is saved as they are pursued constantly by the Bishop's Men. Rugter Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer conduct an emotional and compelling performance and for the duration of the film, you are transported and forget that they are actors, for that time they are Etienne & Isobeau.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Oh dear...
I saw this when I was about 9 and thought it might be good. How wrong I was. The costumes are ridiculous (very 80's), the music is terrible (I tried to ignore it, but it's that bad, it ruins the entire film), and the story is poorly told. If it was re-made by a good director, it might be okay, but I'd avoid this one if I were you.
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Horror?
I'm baffled at how this managed to get classified in the horror genre - no, really, I am. A bizarre musical score and an ever so transparent and surprise-free plot is only mitigated by having some decent actors trying their very best. I cannot decide whether the evil Bishop's dialogue with his henchmen is paced for dramatic effect or the actors are waiting for people in the unseen background to hold up boards with their lines on. Hire Barbarella if you have to watch films that are so awful that they're good!
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10 out of 5
Somebody has mistakenly put this fantasy sword and sorcery film in the Horror section!
To the film - An absolute MUST SEE MUST HAVE for those who, like me, adore adventure, magic and romance in the same film. I cannot find a bad word to say about anything to do with this film. The storyline, the acting, the direction, the photography, the editing, the costumes, the ambience and probably the person who made the coffee - all wonderful, all perfect.
Critics' reviews (3)
-
Michelle Pfeiffer as the title's pretty predator and Rutger Hauer as a legendary lycanthrope, give human poignancy to this medieval fairy tale about lovers cursed to shape-change into animals. Richard Donner, who made the first Superman adventure, proves to have an elegant eye for ancient as well as everyday fables, and it's all ravishingly filmed in Italy by Vittorio Storaro, who's worked with director Bernardo Bertolucci on films such as The Last Emperor and The Sheltering Sky. Leo McKern dispels the dark from the Dark Ages with a comic turn as a Friar Tuck-ish priest, and Matthew Broderick makes an appealing young hero.
-
Broderick plays a Dark Ages version of the Artful Dodger, befriending the traumatised but bold Etienne of Navarre (camp... read more on Time Out
-
"...A very likeable, very well-made fairytale....LADYHAWKE is worthwhile for its extremely authentic look alone..."
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