Ladyhawke
Directed by Richard Donner
- adventure
- comedy
- fantasy
The story
Captain Etienne Navarre is a man on whose shoulders lies a cruel curse. Punished for loving each other, Navarre must become a wolf by night whilst his lover, Lady Isabeau, takes the form of a hawk by day. Together, with the thief Philippe Gaston, they must try to overthrow the corrupt Bishop and in doing so break the spell.
What it’s like
Golden, sun-bleached daylight over medieval stone, with the Italian hill towns and cathedral interiors of Richard Donner's 1985 fantasy shot in warm ambers and cool blue-grey night, the moon a pale disc hanging over ruined battlements. Its camera drifts through wide landscapes and sweeping crane moves, then tightens into playful two-shots when the banter between its three leads takes over. The score is orchestral and swelling, with bright horns for swordplay and soft strings for the lovers' separated, wistful passages. Its vibe is romantic, bittersweet and light-footed, a fairy tale with a wink, suited to a lazy weekend afternoon or a cosy evening when you want adventure without dread. Pacing is brisk and playful, with a quick-witted thief undercutting a doomed, aching romance. Violence is present but stylised: sword fights, a few stabbings, a battle and a duel, with little blood and no gore. Its sexual content is restrained, with a chaste, yearning central love story. Made for viewers who want a classic romantic adventure with humour, a bit of melancholy and a satisfying, hopeful ending.
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