This “Limited Edition” 2-disc Blu-ray is being released by Arrow Video. Amazon is now listing it as being available for purchase on October 12th.
In the early 80s, fantasy movies were experiencing a major uptick in popularity. The decade was chock full of titles like Clash of the Titans, Dragonslayer, Excalibur, Heavy Metal, Time Bandits, The Secret of NIMH, Conan the Barbarian, The Beastmaster, The Dark Crystal, Krull, The Company of Wolves, The NeverEnding Story, Ladyhawk, Return to Oz, Red Sonja, Labyrinth and Willow to name but a few. Many of these films were box office hits. However, as the period wore on several of the later features ended up getting lost in the shuffle.
One of the most notable examples was Legend, a fantasy modeled in part after Grimm’s fairy tales. The movie boasted noted director Ridley Scott (who had just come off of Alien and Blade Runner) and an early leading role for future-star Tom Cruise. While the film had its share of supporters, as a youth I remember checking the movie out and being underwhelmed. It certainly looked phenomenal, but it was difficult to connect with the central characters. In fact, it appeared that the main romantic relationship was barely developed and the movie played out as something of a choppy mess.
I didn’t know it at the time, but the North American film had been heavily edited from both the director’s original version and a slightly extended European cut. Like Blade Runner and some of the filmmaker’s later titles, there had always been a longer version out there. In 2002, Scott thankfully reconstructed most of the film that he originally turned in, adding roughly 26 minutes of new material in addition to using some alternate takes within preexisting scenes. Arrow Video have now decided to release Legend as a 2-disc “Limited Edition” Blu-ray with both the US theatrical version and Director’s Cut presented in high definition with a 2K restoration and scan. It’s another stunning release that is certain to win the movie over some new fans.
I’ll write a story synopsis exclusively based on the Director’s Cut. The story is set in a magical world with creatures both good and sinister. The most sinister is the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), who wants to kill a pair of magical unicorns and take their horns (or alicorns). This will make the villain all-powerful and plunge the world into permanent night. Meanwhile, Princess Lili (Mia Sara) sneaks into the forest to spend time with Jack O’ the Green (Tom Cruise), a youngster who lives among the woodland creatures. Jack is enchanted by Lili, who is discovering that she can use her charm to get what she desires. When he shows her the unicorns from a distance, the princess ignores Jack’s warnings and decides to approach them. Her act allows the Lords of Darkness’ goblin Blix (Alice Playten) to attack, murder one of the creatures and take its horn. The world immediately begins to fall apart. A regretful Lili tries to set things right, while young Jack must learn to be a hero and square off against the Lord of Darkness.
As mentioned, two versions are included in this set and they mark a fascinating and remarkable contrast. Frankly, the comparison isn’t even close and provides definitive proof of just how butchered the short version truly is. We don’t even know Lili is a princess in the American edition, much of the character development and the story’s themes are gone and even the dialogue has been cut to the bone. It all plays like a Cliff’s Notes edition of the original feature.
Even the music is completely different. While the US edition had an electronic synthesizer soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, the original possesses a completely different orchestral score by Jerry Goldsmith. Tangerine Dream are fine musicians, but the score is very much of the specific era. Goldsmith’s work has a more timeless sound, suits the material far better and adds more emotional resonance to the dramatic moments.
As you might have already guessed, I think the Director’s Cut is vastly superior. It is a proper fairy tale and more exciting feature with each of the leads slowly discovering their hidden abilities. There’s an incredible sequence with Jack traversing across a swamp and encountering a monstrous water-hag who wants to devour him, named Meg Mucklebones (Robert Picardo). In the US edition, they trade a line of two, Jack acts and moves on. In the extended cut, there’s a much longer exchange. In over his head, the hero desperately tries to figure out an escape, keeping the beast talking to buy himself time while he figures out how to fight back. It’s a far more exciting moment.
Overall, the hero’s journey is clearer and his growth and development is more engaging. In fact, all of the characters and relationships are better developed in this version. This includes Lili, who is dealing with the temptations of evil, as well as building on her gifts of charm to try and trick the Lord of Darkness. The two leads are still archetypes, but the extra material adds enough to make them relatable, adding to the tension and making for a more compelling experience.
Of course, no matter which version of the movie you watch, everything onscreen looks incredible (after all, the imagery was the main attraction in the North American version). The enormous, forested sets were created entirely on a soundstage, allowing director Scott to go absolutely wild with the visuals and present an endless array of eye-popping sights. The photography from Alex Thompson (Excalibur, The Keep, Labyrinth, Cliffhanger) is jaw-dropping. This includes picturesque images of the leads among live forest creature to the gruesome areas within the Lord of Darkness’ castle that are lit with towering flames and smoke.
Speaking of which, Tim Curry makes for one of the most memorable foes of this era as the Lord of Darkness. The make-up by Rob Bottin (The Thing, Robocop) is also exemplary – at least the artist received an Academy Award nomination for his stunning work. Curry looms over the cast, projecting menace, threatening others in an amusing manner and even delivering a memorable monologue or two about the nature of evil and its place in the world.
So, while Legend has always looked great, the Director’s Cut really clarifies the story and elevates the material significantly. It isn’t perfect, but the longer version is a very good fantasy film. It’s also a title that really benefits from a sharp and clear new Blu-ray, making the shots pop even more than they did on previous disc releases.
If that weren’t enough, this “Limited Edition” arrives with a bevy of extras that provide some great background information. There is an informative commentary track on each cut of the movie. A film historian who has written books on Ridley Scott talks about the US cut, which he refers to as being a “mutilation” of the original vision. Admittedly, he also acknowledges that the North American cut was the first experience many had with the movie (himself included), noting that he understands why some appreciate the short version (this reviewer certainly does not fall into that category). He also provides plenty of interesting background information on the amazing sets, as well as what inspired Scott to make the movie and how he approached telling it.
Naturally, the director’s commentary on his preferred cut is even more enlightening. He explains his choices and also goes into the process of creating the massive forest soundstage set. It combined massive fiberglass trees with real soil, topiary and a running stream. Apparently, the incredible work was convincing enough for animals to move in and live in the soundstage during much of the production.
Scott also goes into what occurred after the shoot wrapped. He admits that the cut down versions of the movie were a mistake. The director states that executives weren’t crazy about his cut and that after a poor test screening, changes were suggested. He describes going through a “crisis of confidence” (Blade Runner hadn’t been acknowledged as a classic yet and was a flop at the box office, nor had it been well-received by the press) and readily accepted the suggestions made, chopping the movie down and having it completely re-scored. The filmmaker admits they were bad decisions that ultimately did little to help the movie. Scott is very frank about his experiences, making for an interesting track.
There’s also a lengthy 2002 making-of documentary that addresses all of these stories, as well as the unfortunate loss of the soundstage because of a fire. Viewers learn that some intended material wasn’t shot because the set burned down towards the end of production. While the cast and crew were at lunch, a security guard noted the animal residents flying and rushing out of the open soundstage doors. It was presumed that gasses inside the structure ignited, causing the massive structure to burn and eventually collapse. In addition to these stories, members of the cast and crew also talk about their experiences on set and their feeling about the various cuts to the feature.
There are also a couple of segments dealing with the two different scores. One goes into detail about Goldsmith’s work on the film and what he was trying to convey with the music he wrote. Those who enjoy Tangerine Dream’s work on the US edition will also see a segment on how this band became involved and hear from some fans who prefer the keyboard-heavy tracks. You’ll also learn about the catchy pop tunes recorded and added for the US release, including the Bryan Ferry number, “Is Your Love Strong Enough?” (a music video for the song is also included as a bonus). And you can also listen to the isolated score tracks on their own for comparison’s sake.
Naturally, this release includes a featurette that presents a comparison of the different versions of the film. The discs include an hour-long TV episode detailing Scott’s career up to 2003. There’s also a new featurette that has interviews with grip David Cadwalladr, costume designer Charles Knode, co-star Annabelle Lanyon, camera operator Peter MacDonald, set decorator Ann Mollo and draftsman John Ralph. They all share their experiences on the movie and share their amazement that the production designers and cinematographer didn’t receive Oscar nominations.
Additionally, the release comes with an original promotional featurette, deleted scenes, the alternate ‘Four Goblins’ opening and ‘The Fairie Dance’, storyboard galleries for three deleted scenes, two drafts of William Hjortsberg’s original screenplay, alternate footage from the overseas release, plus textless footage, three theatrical trailers, four TV spots and image galleries. And in case you still want more, the Blu-ray arrives with a full color Blu-ray-sized book on the movie, a fold-out-double sided poster, glossy portraits of the cast, six double-sided, postcard sized lobby card reproductions and special packaging with newly commissioned artwork and the original theatrical art.
Naturally, if you enjoy the work of Ridley Scott, loved the movie when it was first released, or simply appreciate fantasy pictures, you most certainly should pick up this set. The movie is a visual wonder and the 2K upgrade is astounding. And if that weren’t enough, the Director’s Cut is a vast improvement over the theatrical experience. In the end, it seems that Legend is another exemplary and memorable release from Arrow Video that comes heartily recommended.