Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- dreamy
- eerie
- whimsical
- fantasy movie night
- cult cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually imaginative, especially its production design, creature makeup, and Tim Curry's performance, but considered its storytelling and character development unfocused.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film centers on a princess, unicorns, elves, a demon, enchanted forests, and a magical struggle between good and evil.
Lord Darkness seeks eternal night, while winter, monsters, hellish imagery, and the destruction of unicorns give the fairy tale an ominous register.
The production design and prosthetics, especially Rob Bottin's makeup and Tim Curry's Darkness, are central to the film's identity.
The demon targets the last unicorns and seeks to marry Princess Lili as part of his plan to impose eternal night.
Films like Legend, and why
The Dark Crystal
dark fantasy, cinematic fairy tale atmosphere, and a struggle between innocence and supernatural evil
Labyrinth
sword and sorcery adventure, elaborate fantasy world-building, and mythic good versus evil
The NeverEnding Story
stylized fantasy adventure, magical creatures, romantic rescue themes, and visually elaborate production design
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
epic fantasy spectacle, mythological conflict, and a quest shaped by purity and darkness
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 1985-08-28
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1449)
Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Mia Sara
- Tim Curry
- David Bennent
- Alice Playten
- Billy Barty
- Cork Hubbert
- Peter O'Farrell
- Kiran Shah
- Annabelle Lanyon
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Legend about?
- A young forest boy and his elven allies face a demonic lord whose plan for eternal night threatens unicorns, a princess, and the enchanted world around them.
- What is Legend like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Legend as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Legend violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Legend as mild.
- What did critics think of Legend?
- Critics broadly found the film visually imaginative, especially its production design, creature makeup, and Tim Curry's performance, but considered its storytelling and character development unfocused.
- Which films are like Legend?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
- How long is Legend?
- Legend runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Legend?
- In United States, Legend is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
