Ladyhawke

Name: Ladyhawke
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy
Released: April 12, 1985
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Alex Serra, Alfred Molina, Giancarlo Prete, John Wood, Ken Hutchison

1985

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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Ladyhawke

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: April 12, 1985 | PG-13

Starring: Alex Serra, Alfred Molina, Giancarlo Prete, John Wood, Ken Hutchison, Leo McKern, Loris Loddi, Matthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rutger Hauer

Summary: The thief Gaston escapes dungeon of medieval Aquila thru the latrine. Soldiers are about to kill him when Navarre saves him. Navarre, traveling with his spirited hawk, plans to kill the bishop of Aquila with help from Gaston.

Director: Richard Donner

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

Sheila Benson

Laced with medieval magic, it has stalwart knights and tremulously fine ladies, heavy-hoofed horses who might have clattered straight out of German fairy tales and broadswords so heavy you or I could never heft them. Most of all, it is a bold, beautiful, marvelous vision. Read full review

Gene Siskel

It's a tribute to the quality of writing, direction and photography in this film that we willingly go along with the story. Read full review

Empire Ian Nathan

This is a criminally neglected piece of good gothic fairy tale fun. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

All rather facile sword-and-sorcery stuff, of course, but at times very funny (special mention to McKern as a bumbling priest) and always beautifully photographed in the Italian Dolomites. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Donner moves the film at an unhurried pace. The action scenes, for which Broderick and Hauer seem to have done quite a few of their own stunts, are fun, if not especially ambitious, and spaced out between long stretches of Mouse and Etienne traveling the countryside. But, oh, what countryside! Read full review

Vincent Canby

Mr. Donner has obvious difficulty coordinating the various elements of the overall vision. Read full review

Pauline Kael

At almost every point where we might expect a little ping of surprise or mystery, Donner lets us down. It's a limp and dreary movie.

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User Reviews

BeatrixKiddo

Jan 13, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a classic masterpiece. A beautiful love story/fairytale with a lot of suspence, great music & cinematography, hilarious moments, good acting, good cast, great swordfights and a nice love chemistry between the Ladyhawke and Navarre (Pfaiffer and Hauer). It had that medieval magic l always find stunning in those kind of movies. It is an amazing film that no romantic person should miss it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Kai82

Oct 2, 2021

A forgotten masterpiece and one of the best love stories I have seen in movies. It has a unique story, good twists and remarkable characters that won me over with ease. I have read that it is based on an old french tale but do not find a source for this. The story is set in the 13 century inA forgotten masterpiece and one of the best love stories I have seen in movies. It has a unique story, good twists and remarkable characters that won me over with ease. I have read that it is based on an old french tale but do not find a source for this. The story is set in the 13 century in middle Italy. The thief Phillipe called “The Mouse” escapes the dungeon of the city of Aquila shortly before his execution. However this is bigger than he imagined as the ruling Bishop see this a personal insult to his rule and sends his personal guard to capture him. As he is close to being caught a mysterious man named Etienne Navarre together with his hawk defeats the guards and safe him. The appearance of Navarre has such an impact of the guard captain Marquet that he rode immediately to the Bishop ruining multiple horses. Phillipe is now in company with the mysterious Navarre who needs his help and his female companion Isabeau he only meets at night. This is the set up for the story. It is a great fantasy movie that does not need special effects or many elements you would associate with it. The great story, mystery, characters and ideas are excellent enough to carry the movie. I never understood why the critics rated this so low. In my circle of friends it is valued as forgotten gem with great ideas for a story. Lets go to the really great cast. I think they found excellent actors for all roles. Matthew Broderick is a great Phillipe. He nails the mousy part and is a good hearten thief. Impressive performance. Rutger Hauer as Etienne Navarre is equally good. He is the stoic knight who is quarreling with life and his past. He is a kind man underneath but life has hardened him. Michelle Pfeiffer as Isabeau is the yin to the yang to Etienne. Her great performance and good chemistry are a mayor selling point in the movie. John Wood as bishop of Aquila is the scheming and feared kind of villain. Some one you would not have as enemy or even knowing you exist. Ken Hutchison plays captain Marquet who is the guard captain and chief henchman of the Bishop. Good and intimidating performance. Finally there is Leo McKern as Imperius. He is an elderly monk who is involved deeply in the events. A truly great cast that does everything right. Then there are the sets and castles. I still remembered how good those looked. Be it Torrechiara castle which is an amazing location as is the decaying castle Rocca Calascio or castle Arquato (Not sure if this is not just a palace by the way). The landscape also won me over even if it is not Lord of the Rings level. The falconry and training was excellent too. I am not sure if by today's standard are allowed to even say this. Overall this is a classic fantasy fairy tale. It delivers from start to finish and the characters, story and atmosphere make this a must see recommendation for me.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

KoshVorlon

May 25, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the late Rutger Hauer's best film to date! Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer star in this movie. Rutger Hauer is Navarre, the Captain of the Guards who was deposed by the Pope (played excellently by John Wood) because he married Isabeau (Michelle Pfieffer). The Pope was in love with her but she rejected him and chose Navarre. The Pope involved a curse on them that Navarre is looking to break. You have love, sword play, literal dungeon crawling, great music (produced by Alan Parsons no less!) As a musician, I loved the mix of orchestra and electronics together - just can't beat it !… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

gracjanski

Mar 18, 2022

Typical Matthew Broderick movie: slapstick humour and a story full of logic holes. After 20 minutes I had enough.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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