Ladyhawke (1985)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Edward Khmara (story)
Edward Khmara (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 April 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Adventure | Romance

Tagline:

CURSED FOR ETERNITY...No force in Heaven will release them. No power on Earth can save them. [UK Theatrical]

Plot:

Philipe Gastone, a thief, escapes from the dungeon at Aquila, sparking a manhunt. He is nearly captured when Captain Navarre befriends him...

Plot Keywords:

Religious Tolerance | Trapper | Turned Into Animal | Stabbed In The Chest | Human Becoming Animal

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Matthew Broderick	...	Phillipe Gaston
Rutger Hauer	...	Captain Etienne Navarre
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Isabeau d'Anjou
Leo McKern	...	Father Imperius the Monk
John Wood	...	Bishop of Aquila
Ken Hutchison	...	Marquet
Alfred Molina	...	Cezar
Giancarlo Prete	...	Fornac
Loris Loddi	...	Jehan
Alessandro Serra	...	Mr. Pitou
Charles Borromel	...	Insane Prisoner
Massimo Sarchielli	...	Innkeeper
Nicolina Papetti	...	Mrs. Pitou
Russel Case	...	Lieutenant (as Russell Kase)
Donald Hodson	...	Guard on Cart (as Don Hudson)

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Iceland:14 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Campo Imperatore, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Richard Donner originally wanted to cast Rutger Hauer as the evil captain of the guard while casting a younger actor, Kurt Russell, as Navarre. Hauer wasn't interested in that role, but expressed interest in playing Navarre. When Russell dropped out a few days before principal photography began, the part was handed to Hauer.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the fight between Marquet and Navarre in the cathedral, Marquet's horse's mane changes constantly from long to short, from thick to thin and at one point it is evident that the horse's mane is a fake.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Phillipe: Impossible. Impossible. Nothing is impossible. Come on, Mouse. Dig! Dig, Mouse. Come on.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell (#8.3)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Music

One of my all-time FAVORITE movies

What a great story. This has been one of my favorite movies since it first came out. (I saw it with my best friend, who had a crush on Matthew Broderick.) Anyway, it's a very stirring, timeless (except for the music) story of love, heartache, hope and redemption. Wonderful.

Rutger Hauer is amazing. Strong, even frightening at times, but still tender and vulnerable. Of course Michelle Pfeiffer is at her absolute most beautiful. She really does seem to possess "the face of love" as Phillipe says. But Matthew Broderick really makes the movie. He's more than just comic relief (although he is hilarious); he keeps the story grounded. Without the character of Philippe the movie would be too ethereal, untethered. Philippe is the everyman--our connection to the magical beauty of Navarre and Isabeau.

I've heard that the story is based on a medieval legend, but I haven't been able to find it. If anyone has a link, please post it as a review on this site; I'd love to read more about it. Thanks!!