This film is very poignant, although dated in places. Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer are perfectly matched, Matthew Broderick is the perfect thief and Leo McKern is just made for the part of the priest.
Some people would say that this film is 'cheesy' but if they took the trouble to read beneath the 80's production technique they would find a plot full of sensitivity and romance.
Phillipe Navarre and Isabeau, his lover, are destined to live lives apart, he a wolf by night and she a hawk by day. This curse was set upon them by an evil Bishop who secretly loved Isabeau and was driven to anger when he discovered that Navarre, Captain of the Guard, loved Isabeau himself.
The most heart-wrenching part of the film is when Navarre is trapped in ice by the priest and the thief and he wakes at dawn in human form just in time to set eyes upon his beloved Isabeau, also in human form, for the briefest of moments.
He reaches out to her and their hands almost touch when the sun creeps over the horizon and she turns into a hawk. He cries out in frustration with tears in his eyes.
The music by Alan Parsons is, even if not medieval, is still very atmospheric and lends itself well to the style of the 80's. In my humble opinion it makes the film very atomospheric and unique.
If you are a fan of medieval romanticism then this film is definitely not one to miss.
Some people would say that this film is 'cheesy' but if they took the trouble to read beneath the 80's production technique they would find a plot full of sensitivity and romance.
Phillipe Navarre and Isabeau, his lover, are destined to live lives apart, he a wolf by night and she a hawk by day. This curse was set upon them by an evil Bishop who secretly loved Isabeau and was driven to anger when he discovered that Navarre, Captain of the Guard, loved Isabeau himself.
The most heart-wrenching part of the film is when Navarre is trapped in ice by the priest and the thief and he wakes at dawn in human form just in time to set eyes upon his beloved Isabeau, also in human form, for the briefest of moments.
He reaches out to her and their hands almost touch when the sun creeps over the horizon and she turns into a hawk. He cries out in frustration with tears in his eyes.
The music by Alan Parsons is, even if not medieval, is still very atmospheric and lends itself well to the style of the 80's. In my humble opinion it makes the film very atomospheric and unique.
If you are a fan of medieval romanticism then this film is definitely not one to miss.
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