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LEGEND(1985)Dir. Ridley Scott

Legend, released in 1985, is one of Ridley Scotts lesser known films; however, it still has his

trademark of visual splendour stamped on it. Scott has an

art background which comes through in Legend through its

fanciful, epic stylisation. The film is set in an undisclosed

location however the audience is aware from the beginning

that they are in a mythical land of high fantasy. This is

achieved through the productions design.

The film is heavily immersed in fairytale and the set brings

the audience into that world. First seen is the hellish

wasteland where Darkness (Tim Curry), the villain, is first

seen. The scenery is minimalistic with bare trees and all in

shadow; its colours are limited to black, greys and reds. All

these aspects are culturally associated with evil so by using

them the audience are already aware of how they should feel.

The other land is that of a Kingdom rich in forestry and greenlands. Greens and browns are culturally associated with neutral ideas but when used it contrast

with the dark, red lands it becomes more wholesome. The protagonist, Jack (Tom Cruise), is a forest

boy who wears green; however the heroine, Lili (Mia

Sara), dons a white dress, a colour of purity and

goodness. Scott Weinberg describe as being like a

painting come to life. The early scenes in a lush,

overgrowing forest are absolutely stunning, and when

the action goes underground to visit the subterranean

lair of Darkness incarnate, the film comes close to

resembling a dank, sweaty nightmare.(Weinberg:

NDG). By using this colour association the audience

can almost visually read the story and they enter into the lush forest and nightmare realm Weinberg

describes.

Legend has many references to biblical stories. It is forbidden to touch a unicorn as doing so taints it

and it curses the land, this mirrors the Bibles Adam and Eve. Most western audiences will be aware

Figure 1 - Film Poster

Figure 2 - Tim Curry as Darkness

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List of Illustrations

Fig. 1 Film Poster (1985) From: LegendDirected by: Ridley Scott. [Film Poster] USA:

Universal Pictures

Fig. 2 Tim Curry as Darkness (1985) From: LegendDirected by: Ridley Scott. [Film Still] USA:

Universal Pictures

Fig. 3 The Heroes (1985) From: LegendDirected by: Ridley Scott. [Film Still] USA: Universal

Pictures

Bibliography

Ebert, R (1986) Legend(1985) Reviewed for Chicago Sun Times [online]

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19860418/REVIEWS/604180302 1986

Scheib, R (1999) Legend(1985) Reviewed for Moria.co.nz [online]

http://www.toptenreviews.com/scripts/eframe/url.htm?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moria.co.nz%2Ffant

asy%2Flegend.htm

Weinberg, S (no date given) Legend(1985) Reviewed for Joblo.com [online]

http://www.toptenreviews.com/scripts/eframe/url.htm?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joblo.com%2Frevie

ws.php%3Fmode%3Djoblo_dvds%26id%3D137

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