"Nothing is Impossible!"

This 1985 movie has long been one of my favorites. It features Rutger Hauer when he was still a hunk (if you don't believe this is possible take another look at BLADERUNNER) and before Matthew Broderick was consigned to the oblivion of mediocrity. It will always be my favorite role for Michelle Pfeiffer.
It features stunning photography, a romantic tale of magic and fantasy, the triumph of good and evil, humor, honor, true love, and remains entertaining after 15 years.

THE PLOT:

Philippe Gaston, enterprising young pickpocket, escapes through the sewer system , from the prison at Aquila, stronghold of the evil Bishop. In running from the pursuing "guard" he encounters a strange man on a black horse, who has a hawk perched on his arm, Etienne of Navarre. Navarre has saved him from certain death, and he travels a way with him. His first discovery is that Navarre saved him for a reason, to lead him back to Aquila.

Little time passes before Philippe discovers mysterious and magical secrets. When night falls, Captain Navarre disappears. Simultaneously, a lovely young woman appears. When day breaks, Navarre reappears and the lady disappears. The hawk is Navarre's daytime companion, and he is never far from her. At night the large black wolf is near, and seems to protect the encampment.

Navarre has a mission. It is to go to Aquila and kill the evil Bishop. He has "been waiting for two years" for a sign from God, when Philippe skitters into his life.

The travelling group is still in danger from the guards. One day, in a skirmish where Navarre is once again rescuing Philippe from the Bishop's guard, an arrow escapes from a crossbow, and pierces the hawk. Distraught, Navarre sends Philippe with the wounded hawk on his horse to a monk well known to him, for medical care. Philippe discovers the truth about the nocturnal changes. It was an evil curse visited on the couple by the bishop, that they should "always be together, eternally apart". They are never in their human forms at the same time.

Imperious the monk reveals the story to young Philippe. He carries the guilt of having betrayed the love of this cursed couple to the Bishop, at a week moment while drunk, revealing their love in their confessions. The Bishop "summons the power of darkness" and has them cursed.

Imperious though, has a plan , to reunite these two lovers in their human forms and break the curse. Philippe at first protests and has no desire to return to Aquila. Dismissing the "sign of God" given to Navarre he says "I talk to God all the time and he never mentioned your name." Imperious also claims his plan is God given.

In spite if the fact that he "has no honor", Philippe comes around, and the curse-breaking team, after some narrow escapes, sets out for Aquila. Navarre is not inclined to believe in the Providence of God, although he yearns to break the curse. His longing is a physical presence. When he finally gets to Aquila, he leaves the hawk in the company of the priest, asking him to kill the bird quickly if the bells ring, for it will mean he has failed. You probably already know the ending. You won't hear it from me.

CAST (MAJOR PLAYERS)

RUTGER HAUER as Captain Etienne Navarre. He is a dashing figure, with verbal bluntness as would suit the former captain, great physical strength, and honor. Add the passion of eternal love, self sacrifice, and a trace of imperfection that makes him believable. I still like Rutger Hauer, and even appreciate his transformation of later years. But as Navarre, he was wonderful. There are a few scenes where he displays less than fluid grace, and I often wondered if it was an intentional flaw introduced by Donner to make the hero more human.

MICHELLE PFEIFFER as Isabeau, Ladyhawke. Pfeiffer's ethereal appearance and delicate frame make the transition nearly seamless. There is one scene where her scream transforms into the cry of a hawke, and her eye becomes the eye of a hawke, that is outstanding in this movie. She is beautiful, strong, perfect in this movie, as in no other.

MATTHEW BRODERICK as Philippe Gaston, the "mouse". An independent "young man with prospects" he lives day to day by his wit and his luck. He is in eternal conflict, bargaining with God, and failing. He believes in truth and justice and has honor in spite of himself. It is through his eyes that WE experience this movie. Although Broderick's career peaked with FERRIS BUELLER and hit bottom with INSPECTOR GADGET, this movie predates the class-cutting movie by a year, and shows the Matthew that might have been.

OTHERS :
I was not impressed by the Bishop,(John Wood) finding him a little less imposing than the master of evil he should have been. Oh well, nobody's perfect. The monk Imperious (Leo McKern) was believable and quite grimy, but I found some of his dialogue to be poorly mumbled. Most of the other characters are forgettable.

OTHER FEATURES

This movie was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Sound". The music to start with, is bizarre and jarring, sounding like a lead in for a contemporary police drama. Other parts are lyrical, and fantastically played by a famous philharmonic symphony. I found it disturbing, and occasionally distracting, especially at the beginning of the flick.

THE DVD VERSION (Warner Brothers) that I purchased adds little by way of special features, but the image quality is perfect and allows this movie to be viewed in the way it was intended.

This is a beautiful, fanciful tale that will touch your heart if you have one. Love it for the photography, the unusually funny dialogue and the chance to see Rutger Hauer with his shirt off. Love it for the triumph of good over evil and for the romance and tragedy of watching true love find a way.