It’s important to remember that box-office draw and critical reception are never a barometer of quality. Such is the case withLadyhawke, released in 1985 and directed by Richard Donner. The 1980s were aphenomenal decade for fantasy films, such asWillow,Conan: The Barbarian, andThe Dark Crystal, among several others.Ladyhawkemerges the world of sword and sorcery with romance and features a cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Rutger Hauer, Matthew Broderick, and Leo McKern.
Considering the massive success ofThe Princess Bridejust a few years later, it seems rather perplexing thatLadyhawkewasn’t more of a commercial hit. Despite this,Ladyhawkeis a cherished part of 1980s fantasy cinema. Now that the film is streaming for free onTubi, a whole new generation can fall in love with it.
“Always Together But Eternally Apart”
Ladyhawkeis the story of two star-crossed lovers, Navarre (Rutger Hauer)and Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer). The love the pair share for one another comes with a curse.During the day, Navarre exists in human form, but turns into a wolf at nightfall. In contrast, Isabeau is a hawk during the daytime and returns to her human form at night. With no interaction between the pair in human form, it becomes the role of an unlikely hero to bring them together. This unlikely hero is Pierre Gaston (Matthew Broderick), a simple pickpocket known as “the mouse” on the run after escaping a dungeon prison. The unlikely duo of Navarre and Gaston seeks to break the curse placed upon the lovers by an evil Bishop (John Wood), emblematic of the church’s corruption in the Middle Ages.
Broderick’s performance has the sort of comedic relief and naïveté that was associated with the actor throughout the decade. The star ofWar GamesandFerris Bueller’s Day Off, Broderick,is the perfect opposite to Hauer’s portrayal of Navarre, a disgraced captain of the guard. With Hauer and Pfeiffer sharing almost no screen time for much of the film, it’s up to Broderick’s character to help the two break the curse and reunite them.
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More than just being Navarre and Isabeau’s go-between,Gaston ultimately becomes indicative of the audience’s reaction to the film. Fantasy and romance provide a rich form of escapism. Much like Gaston, the audience wants to see our lovers reunite and have the storybook conclusion that many fairy tales have.Ladyhawkeis a saga of true love and an underdog story, as Broderick is quite the unlikely action hero. Of course, Richard Donner’s direction guarantees some exceptional medieval fight sequences to excite the audience.
Style and Presentation of an Age Gone By
The cast and story certainly contribute toLadyhawke’s appeal, but credit is also due to the style and tone that make the film memorable and effective.Director Richard Donnerspent the latter half of the 1970s and much of the 1980s crafting engaging and exciting films. Donner proved adept at tackling multiple genres, fromThe GooniestoSupermanandThe Omen. Complementing Donner’s direction inLadyhawkeis the cinematography by Vittorio Storaro, whose credits includeThe Last EmperorandApocalypse Now.Ladyhawkeis full of wide, sweeping shots that capture vast landscapes and bring the viewer up close and personal with sequences of action and romance.
Presentation is crucial for any film to engage the senses of the audience.Ladyhawkeencompasses many different themes, such as romance, action, and comedy, andmanages to make excellent tonal shifts with each one. Much of the lighthearted tone within the film can be attributed to Matthew Broderick’s performance. However, the soundtrack, which Alan Parsons worked on, does an outstanding job of establishing tone and marking the tonal transitions that occur throughout the film.
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Some might argue that Parsons’ prog-rock score and Broderick’s performance take the viewer out of the period in whichLadyhawketakes place. The intention of a film such asLadyhawkeis to entertain an audience who might not get distracted by modern elements in a film that takes place hundreds of years ago.
In fact, the audio, visual style, and presentation make it more appealing.They give old tropes and stories a more modern aesthetic that enhances their charm. Suffice it to say thatLadyhawkeisn’t meant to be considered a serious period piece. It’s a classic tale of true love, overcoming obstacles, and championing the underdog. Charming, whimsical, and a complete delight,Ladyhawkeshould be considered one of thebest fantasy films of the 1980s.
Where Can I Watch ‘Ladyhawke’?
Ladyhawkeis a charming time capsule of 1980s fantasy cinema.You can catch it on Tubi and Plex.
