Legend

Released Jan 16, 1985

1h 29m

Fantasy

List

41%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

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

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

Full Review

James Olsen

Starburst

Legend remains a stunning faerie floss fantasy. Ninety-five minutes of lovingly crafted, 'super real' escapism.

Jul 22, 2022

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Jerod S

Tom Cruise is a chain mail skirt wearing devil killer. When the unicorns are dying for their horns, things get serious and he's gotta kill the devil.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

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Morph I

A visual magic story of good vs. evil. All the cast are perfect. You do not have to be a fan of Tom Cruise as he, in this movie, is young, simple and doesn't do a lot of talking. Tim Curry depicts the most iconic Devil of any movie. The score, the simple adventure are amazing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

Full Review

Jessica J

Still one of my absolute favorite fantasy genre movies, despite Tom Cruise. I love everything about it. No one ever has made fantasy this fantastic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

He-Rex

Legend is a beautiful, artfully crafted, at times frightening, Good versus Evil, fairytale from director Ridley Scott. Tim Curry is magnificent as the Lord of Darkness, completely unrecognizable in amazing prosthetic makeup. Mia Sara is lovely as the fair princess Lily. Loved by our hero, a forest boy named Jack, played by Tom Cruise, and coveted by the Dark Lord, Lily in her innocence inadvertently helps evil send the world into perpetual darkness. It's up to Jack, and a small band of misfit characters, to save Lily and the world from eternal despair. Often unfairly maligned by critics, Legend is a stunning visual achievement, and a classic in its own right.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

Full Review

Forrest S

This is one of the most immersive fantasy movies ever made. The real character arc is Lily's. She learns her beauty can be destructive, and therefore goes from being selfish to a hero.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Caleb J

Not one of my favorites from Ridley Scott, but still has wonderful world building and amazing visuals. With a banging score and soundtrack, a young Tom Cruise & Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness. Still a lot of things to love.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

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

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Legend: Official Clip - Lili Betrays Darkness