Customer Reviews
Right on . . . uneven, but fun 
2008-04-29
Although no "classic," Legend is still fun. The Director's Cut is a little harder to follow than the original, but Tim Curry's appearance makes wading through everything else worthwhile. It's pretty amazing pre-CG eye candy, even if very, VERY over the top.
For the price of this set, you get both versions of the movie, each with a different soundtrack; a "making-of" feature; a re-discovered intro sequence; and an unnecessary, but enjoyable, video of Brian Ferry performing his contribution to the film.
The newer version enjoys a darker presentaion, a more generous edit and an orchestral score. The original version of the film features original music by Tangerine Dream, with an appearance by Jon Anderson, and a tune by Brian Ferry. The Director's cut's more standard sounding orchestral score is nice, and may even bring this movie up a notch for some, but I still prefer the original "Rock 'n' Roll" soundtrack--as Ridley Scott calls it. And including the original soundtrack could make this set worth having, just to avoid paying a ridiculous price for the long out-of-print soundtrack, as another feature of this set is you can listen to the Tangerine Dream music isolated from the movie's other sounds . . . and music. I was surprised to find the isolated soundtrack includes neither Tangerine Dream's "Loved By The Sun," with lyrics by Jon Anderson, nor Brian Ferry's "Is Your Love Strong Enough."
In all, not bad. If you're a fan of either this movie in particular, or Fantasy films in general, don't hesitate to pick this up.
Legend is still fun. 2008-04-28
It has been a while since I have seen this movie. It was great to see it the original version and then the directors cut. Overall it is awesome and came in good shape. Thanks.
Legend 
2008-04-21
This was the first Ridely Scott film that I am familiar with and a must have for any Scott or Tom Cruise fan. To Say Tom Cruise is a misnomer, rather Tommy Cruise would be more appropriate. Beautiful, mystical scenes, absolute romantic chemistry between Cruise and Mia Sara, this film needs to be viewed and enjoyed with a "special" someone. A brillinat mix of fantasy and romantacism. I love it. Satan has never been better protrayed than in this film!!!
Good 'ol 80s Cruise. 2008-03-21
I can't wait for the day that they redo this movie! Perhaps after Sweeney Todd is old news, someone should get ahold of Tim Burton! I love this movie, this is just a great story and one of those movies that despite the fact that it is basically as old skool as you can get, it's just a really good story.
Fairyland and the Devil 
2008-03-03
This was a popular 1980s fantasy film, albeit an untidy release, that went through a number of alternative cuts for the theatre and television. There seems to be a fan base that is divided over the director's cut and the US version. Both are available through this DVD release.
Legend is fantasy. There is lots of magic and adventure. The cast constitutes mostly mythical creatures, likes elves and demons. The story is standard good versus evil, light versus darkness, that revolves around the execution of a unicorn that will end the world of light. Jack (Tom Cruise) with his magical friends must save the world and the kidnapped princess before it is too late.
The production values move between excellent and looking staged but given the amount of fantasy on display it still manages to be a convincing world. There are not too many fantasy films so eventually everyone gets around to watching Legend. Probably the main reason to watch it is because it is a Ridley Scott production, although not one of his best. Tim Curry as the devil puts on a good performance and the makeup effects here are nothing short of stunning. There is one good horn ramming sequence that stands out.
The film does seem to be unsure of itself at the best of times. Is it a film for children? Or is it a film for adults? It appears that even some teenagers may have trouble with this film because it does get dark at times. Parental viewing may be necessary.
Fairyland and the Devil 2008-03-03
This strange, 1985 experiment by Ridley Scott (
Blade Runner) starred the up-and-coming Tom Cruise in a fairy-tale world of dwarfs and unicorns and demons. After the horn of a unicorn is broken, darkness and winter descend upon the world. Cruise's character, helped along by a magic sprite played by David Bennent (
The Tin Drum), descends into hell to save paradise. This movie is almost a classic case of art direction gone amok. The somewhat amorphous Cruise doesn't lend much dramatic focus or artistic definition, but the drama between Tim Curry's satanic majesty and Mia Sara's character, who becomes a sort of princess of the netherworld, is pretty captivating. A mixed experience all around that makes one wish it had been more successful.
--Tom Keogh
Mia Sara, Tim Curry, and the Sprite make this movie! 2008-02-25
Tom Cruise is alright but generic in this movie. It is Mia Sara and the Sprite on the good side, and Tim Curry on the dark side, who make this movie a classic and an enchantment to watch.
Legend (Ultimate Edition) has the Best Version 2008-02-17
Legend (Ultimate Edition) was great it includes both the Directors cut, and the Original version that most people have had trobble finding. Plus Lots of Stills, Comentary, Making, Promo Shots, Trailers and all that Extra Stuff. The Original included a score by Tangarine Dream " Loved By the Sun" & the Ending of the movie is diffrent. The Devil " Tim Curry " has the last laugh. Wich was cut in the Directors Version. This way you get both Versions and all the Special Features !
Longtime Favourite 2008-02-14
I grew up watching and loving this movie- the American version not the European Director's Cut. Thus this review is mostly for that version. Tim Curry as Darkness is magnificent, one of the best villains of all time. The sets, costumes and makeup are beautiful and I love the Tangerine Dream score. It's true that the special effects are dated but they are nonetheless well done for their time. I don't understand someone who watches a movie made in the eighties and then complains about the special effects. What were they expecting? Personally, I enjoy the physical effects of older movies just as much as I enjoy the CGI of contemporary movies. The story is simple, like a fairytale. Which I find appropriate seeing as how it's about unicorns and sprites!
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys fairytales and fantasy. Although this is not for young children. Some of the imagery could be frightening. Meg Mucklebones used to scare the crap out of me!
A Flawed Legend 2008-02-01
Since the resurrection of the Fantasy genre in 2001, with the release of the epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the Harry Potter saga, Fantasy has gotten a little bit of a much needed revamp. I honestly had never even heard of Legend before I had seen The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy was kind of an unknown concept to me. The Lord of the Rings(which is the best three films ever conceived by human beings) is what really sparked my interest in the Fantasy circle, and with that I found Legend, an awkward if somewhat flawed and incomplete fantasy adventure. Though Legend isn't on the same level as The Lord of the Rings, its spirit is, and in that I mean that just because the movie is a little flawed and awkward in some places, it is still a really good movie, one that I truly enjoyed. From the epic nature of a world turned to darkness by touching mythical unicorns to the brilliant and deliciously evil Lord of Darkness (Played by Tim Curry, who steels every moment of screen time he is in), the film's aspirations should have been on par with High Fantasy like The Lord of the Rings. It was the way the film was executed, a sinful recut and dropping Goldsmith's score that made the film so disappointing, just to think of what it could have been. However, with the release of the Ultimate Edition, some of these issues can, in a way, be erased from the board, the Ultimate Edition includes two versions of the film: The first is the Ultimate Edition, which is the movie in all its glory the way it was originally intended to be seen, which is about 30 min. longer than the American version, and has Jerry Goldsmith's perfect score reinstated. The second version is the American version, and is the original theatrical cut of the film with the Tangerine Dream score. I personally prefer the Ultimate Edition, because it is just better than the American Version in almost every aspect, from sound quality to picture quality the Ultimate Edition is far superior. I had never seen Legend until just a few months ago and I watched the Ultimate Edition first, therefore I had no other version to judge it by, so of course I thought the Ultimate Edition was better. I then watched the original theatrical version, and did not think it had the same impact as the Ultimate Edition, which is the way the film was truly intended to be seen. I guess it all depends on preference. Legend is a good fantasy movie, I guess I've been somewhat spoiled by watching The Lord of the Rings too much, my expectations were just a little shot, but despite Legend's obvious flaws and seemingly doomed production a great film still came out through the ashes and was salvaged by the Ultimate Edition, a true epic.
