Beautifully crafted, I consider it a work of art..

This film is visually stunning but the story is a choppy, incoherent mess. Interestingly, I didn't realise until writing this review that there was a director's cut released in 2002, which is 20 minutes longer than the standard theatrical version, and I would be interested to see it as I think it would be a much stronger watch.

The theatrical release is carried by excellent production values and a good cast. I'm not sure who's more unrecogniseable in their role: Tim Curry or Robert Picardo - the latter definitely should have had a greater amount of screen time as the one scene he's in is a highlight for me.

Worth a watch in the standard version but I would say try and find the director's cut, if possible.

Fair enough for its era. The script isn't great, but the visual elements are where it shines.

Eu assisti este filme no cinema, com pouco interesse nele, mas depois que a sessão terminou, ele tornou-se o meu filme preferido.
A produção e direção de Ridley Scott foram excelentes neste filme, todos os detalhes foram bem feitos, e as duas versões que existem dele com muitas diferenças entre elas só dão mais "charme" ao filme.

It is rare that I find a film to be so terrible that I shut it off without finishing, but this film is one of the few for which I've done just that. I love fantasy, and there were some great costumes, but the plot just wasn't there. I remember thinking the dialogue was poorly written. I was roughly 50 minutes (a little bit over halfway) into the film when I realized that I still had no idea what the heck was going on, and ceased to care. Strangely, my brother in law cites this as being one of his all-time favorites :P

Seen this movie on TV during my trip to London. I almost have forgotten about the movie and that it even existed. It was made when i was born, and first think that strikes me is the quality of the movie, the costumes, the lightning and the drama it can build. Nowadays tales (adventure, fantasy ..) cannot compare to this and I wish someone started to make movies again this way and not the cheap computer animations.
Ridley Scott (and his team working for him) as director of the movie made excellent job. The tale with its fantasy elements can stand competition even 25 years after its creation!

I never realized the reviews were so bad but critics just hated most of the classic Fantasy movies of the 80’s.
I mean, some how Gene Siskel considered this a 0.5 movie and Willow the worst movie of 1988. The 80’s though was the second best decade for Fantasy movies next to the 2000’s.
The visuals do get in the way sometimes. I mean in earlier scenes it’s like Ridley Scott was just shining a flashlight in Tom Cruise’s face. As well as covering his face in glitter. There’s also distracting bubbles floating all over the place in one scene.
For a PG movie it is mostly for adults since it is too dark and creepy for children. Even the good elves are the stuff of nightmares. The make-up for Tim Curry is still amazing and he of course steals the show easily.
Since Tim Cruise is about as miscast as he was in The Mummy. Mia Sara is perfectly cast though and feels like a live action Disney Princess. The musical score is perfect as well.

Legend is a classic ‘80s fantasy film from director Ridley Scott. When Darkness plots to extinguish light from the universe by killing the last unicorn a group of pure souls embark on a quest to save her and restore the power of light. Starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry, the cast is quite strong; as Sara gives an impressive performance and Curry is brilliant as Darkness, and is completely transformed by the makeup. Additionally, the sets and costumes are wonderfully imaginative. Visually, it’s an astonishing film that’s incredibly artistic and stylized. Also, Tangerine Dream provides a surreal and enchanting score that complements and enhances the material. Exceptionally well-crafted and compelling, Legend is a magical film.