Legend

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Legend

PG

Released Jan 16, 1985

1h 29m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Darkness (Tim Curry) seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack (Tom Cruise) and his friends do everything possible to save the world and Princess Lili (Mia Sara) from the hands of Darkness. Enter a world of unicorns, magic swamps, dwarfs and rainbows.

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Critics Consensus

Not even Ridley Scott's gorgeously realized set pieces can save Legend from its own tawdry tale -- though it may be serviceable for those simply looking for fantasy eye candy.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Legend is not without whimsical touches, but it surely could have used more humor and invention.

Mar 27, 2019

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

You are caught up in a morality play... the deepest significance of which the makers of this PG movie are apparently betting the adolescents of America will instinctively comprehend.

Mar 27, 2019

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

I don't want to remember any more about Legend than to make sure I include it in my ''worst films of 1986'' list and never rent it when it comes out as a video cassette.

Rated: 0.5/4

Mar 27, 2019

Full Review

Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Majestic stuff

Apr 13, 2025

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Martin Carr

CBR

Don't let the rotten rating fool you, Legend is a cult classic with more than enough to entertain above and beyond Tim Curry's extreme makeover. This is an arthouse indulgence from Ridley Scott that may feature Tom Cruise, but still manages to impress.

Apr 20, 2024

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Though Legend may never achieve full-on classic motion picture status, the more fleshed-out director's cut proves that Ridley Scott's lovingly-crafted fairytale always deserved better than it got from both film critics and paying audiences alike.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 12, 2023

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John D

I honestly don't know why the critics hated this so much. I think it nails the feeling of a fairytale better than almost any other film. It's a fairytale - it doesn't need backstory or exposition. There's a very clear and straightforward narrative, as there should be with fairytales. There's the hero, the princess, his friends and helpers, the bad guy and his henchmen. The cinematography and make up effects are superb, and the world building is breathtaking. This was shot on a huge soundstage which gives the "outdoor" scenes an otherworldly look which really works in the film's favour. There's two soundtracks, and I prefer the Jerry Goldsmith version as it gives a rich orchestral score more in keeping with high fantasy. The goblins are suitably gruesome and horrible, and Tim Curry is fantastic as the devil, stealing every scene. Rob Bottin's make up effects are some of the best ever filmed. Sure the dialogue isn't great (which is the short coming of a lot of Ridley Scott's films) but it doesn't ruin the film - and is a bit goofy and charming in places - and the acting and script are far better than George Lucas's Star Wars prequels, or Amazon's The Lord of the Rings for that matter - both of which fared better with the critics, and both of which are hopelessly muddled and awful. The story for Legend (simple as it is) is far better too, and makes more sense. This is a cult classic. If you love 80s fantasy films like Labyrinth and The Neverending Story, then this should on your list of must watch films. I loved it as a kid, and I still love it now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

A H

Tom Cruise when he was still a good actor (not a wank), Mia Sara was brilliant, but Tim Curry as the devil will forever be the most terrific and terrifying version of any demonic character ever put to screen. The movie is beautiful and timeless. A fever dream of mythlogical good and evil.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

Full Review

Koi P

Frightening and magical. The Director's Cut is interesting. The original is classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

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Travis B

Amazing movie! Tim Curry, Tom Cruise with Ridley Scott throwing everything at the wall you will not be bored.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

Full Review

Emma S

Worth a watch solely for Tim Curry.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

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Sanja S

So trashy and wonderful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Tom Cruise

Jack

Mia Sara

Princess Lily

Tim Curry

Darkness

David Bennent

Gump

Alice Playten

Blix

Legend: Official Clip - Lili Betrays Darkness

2:15

Legend: Official Clip - I Want to Kill the Unicorn

1:02

Legend: Official Clip - Darkness Seduces Lili

2:02

Legend: Official Clip - Flattering Meg Mucklebones

2:12

Legend: Official Clip - Kissing Oona

2:09

Legend: Official Clip - Gump's Riddle

2:08

Legend: Official Clip - Jack the Champion

2:13

Legend: Official Clip - Diving for Lili's Ring

3:08

Legend: Official Clip - A Mission for Blix

2:07

Legend: Official Clip - Jack Defeats Darkness

2:11

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Why Rotten Tomatoes Is So Wrong About Legend (1985)

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Synopsis

Darkness (Tim Curry) seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack (Tom Cruise) and his friends do everything possible to save the world and Princess Lili (Mia Sara) from the hands of Darkness. Enter a world of unicorns, magic swamps, dwarfs and rainbows.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: William Hjortsberg
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Embassy International Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.3M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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