Where do you begin when describing Ladyhawke? Let's see... it's a medieval love story about a man with a thing for a bird...
No wait, a lovely princess who loves a wolf.
No wait, it's about a couple that share a bond with a horse.
No wait...
At it's heart, it is indeed a tale set firmly in medieval times. Set in the town of Aquila (cue the music) we are introduced to Ferris Bueller in prison. Except he wouldn't be Ferris for another year... A young Matthew Broderick will serve as the narrative device so that we can share the story of Captain Navarre, who has been chased from Aquila by the evil Bishop who lusted for Lady Isabeau, and cursed the lovers to be separated for all eternity!
So by day, Navarre rides the countryside with Isabeau at his side, in the form of a hawk.
At night, the curse switches, and Isabeau comes back, and Navarre turns into a very protective black wolf.
Sound far-fetched? That's because you've never watched it. Under the direction of Richard Donner, who will revisit this listing another time or two, the movie moves along at a glorious pace that keeps ratcheting up the tension as the fates of the lovers and Phillipe the thief are intertwined. It was with Ladyhawke that a young me decided that Richard Donner must be one of my favorite directors of all time. Superman, Superman II and yes... The Toy. Hey, to a kid, that was funny. Richard Donner was responsible for these cinematic gems.
Years later, that fact still holds true. The Toy...not so much.
It introduced me to Matthew Broderick, who was great in his role as Phillipe. Again, he would impress the following year with Ferris Bueller, but his role as Phillipe will always remain a favorite.
Of course, a teenage boy can't help but notice Michelle Pfeiffer. It was my first glance of this lovely actress, and she was picture perfect as the damsel in distress.
However, one cannot overlook the complete bad-ass-ness that is Rutger Hauer. As Navarre, Captain of the Guard, he is simply one of the best screen heroes of any movie, ever made. He owned the role with equal parts of bravado, charisma, charm, humor and pain. Without a doubt, his best role ever. And when I think of swashbuckling butt-kickers, Hauer's Captain Navarre is always near the top of that list.
Ladyhawke has it all, and that earns it a spot on the Top 100 of All Time!
I haven't watched this movie in years. I will have to dig it up sometime soon.
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