Fantasy at its best!

A classically haunting and beautiful fantasy movie--without the hackneyed stereotypes!
In this 1980s film [we know that by the cheesy, out of place modern music played throughout the whole thing] we have a classical tale of star-crossed lovers seperated by a curse. Michelle Pfeiffer is the angellically [with short hair--that surprisingly makes her look more beautiful and more real, earthy] beautiful and desireable noblewoman who is cursed to take on the form of a hawk during the day, while her husband, Rutger Hauer, [the imposing, though for once not angellically beautiful fighter, who plays his role very well] takes on the form of a huge black wolf by night. The setting is medieval France. The Bishop took a fancy to the lady and when he found she loved another, vowed that if he could not have her--no one would.
Everyone in this movie--from the present Captain not only trying to do his job and save his neck, but also with some hinted at but not explained grudge against Hauer, to the little thief, Mouse, who talks to God and somehow escaped from the Bishop's dungeon.
So now we have a corrupt priest wiht power, a fighter, a beautiful noblewoman, and a little thief. Sounds like we are going to be in for some stereotyped acting, right? Well, thank God, but we arent! Throughout the whole thing they really used fresh ideas and you could not tell immediately what would happen. It really was great fun to watch.
The only complaint I have [exc. the soundtrack =\] is I wish they had explained why when the lady was in pain, the Bishop felt it as well. Other than that... this is truly a wonderfully done job! I can't recommend it--to all types and ages--enough.