A love story for the centuries, timeless and classic...

LadyHawke is a beautiful, enchanting and romantic medieval tale of two lovers bound by the curse of an evil and jealously obsessed Bishop (John Wood). By day, Captain Étienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer) walks as a man while Lady Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer) is transformed into a hawk as night falls Isabeau returns to her human form and Navarre takes the shape of a great black wolf. The Bishop's curse dooms the lovers to be together forever but forever apart.

As Navarre returns to kill the Bishop, the warning bells of Aquila announce the escape of Phillipe “The Mouse” Gaston (Matthew Broderick). On his way he rescues the young Philippe who is on the run from the Bishop's men after his escape from the inescapable dungeon of Aquila. Philippe, saved by Navarre and later assisted by an eccentric exiled Monk (Leo Mckern), guides them to the key that will undo the curse and re-unite the lovers.

One of the most heart wrenching scenes in the movie comes as dawn is breaking to find Isabeau and the wolf resting quietly together. As daylight crests the nearby mountains to spill over them and Navarre begins his transformation to human, for a brief moment they look on each other as man and woman once more. The moment is fleeting, as they reach out to each other Isabeau transforms; Navarre's agonized scream echoes through the empty valley as he watches her fly away.

LadyHawke presents the medieval genre with class and wit. Artfully directed and photographed, it is fast paced with plenty of action and thrills for all, while always maintaining the mystical and mythical poetry of the story. The script balances both modern comical elements with classic romance and imagery in a way which keeps the viewer both entertained and enchanted. While the tragic dilemma of Navarre and Isabeau, along with their profound love for each other, is captured and presented in a way that is heartfelt and sublimely moving.

ODD Flick.

I like that this flik has so many sides it's near goofie. Broderick and McKern (sometimes unintentionally)provide the comic relief. Broderick is so young at this time you'll have no choice but to grin. Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer are both (by this time) established dramatic masters and while some ads give Broderick top billing, Pfeiffer and Hauer carry the movie. This flik would have slipped to absurdity had Pfeiffer and Hauer not so believed their roles and been confident in their abilities. The storyline is clear and straightforward but anytime you rely on spells and hexes and magic your actors and plot had better gel. At this point the hat tip MUST go to Richard Donner. Without clear direction this movie would be an absurd mush. The lack of a verbal description of the curse till later in the movie is not a problem because of the direction. The curse is filled out to give the bad guy a worse color and so you wanna cheer when he buys it. Donners' love of the action genre is blazingly clear here because this would be no more than a noisey chik-flik without it. Instead the magic, curse, etc. works and works well. The ending is a chance to cheer and not merely a glad occasion to wring out the hankie! All in all this is a solid action movie with sides of comedy, fantasy, and romance. Oh, by the way, if you don't like a STRONG, modern score this score may adversely affect you. The score impresses that Donners' intent was an action flik with many other aspects. A hearty well done to ALL involved. Like I said before, so many sides it's near goofie.

Ladyhawke (DVD, 1997)

This is an awesome fantasy that has chicflick , comedy, and macho movie qualities. Matthew Broderick provides comic relief as the escaped pickpocket. Isabeau and Navarre are cursed by the bishop to always have only a brief glimpse of each other at the changing of day/night. He is a wolf by night, she a hawk by day. Much adventure. Getting for all of the family households.

Ladyhawke is a wonderful tale

Knights and Ladies have always been a favorite story line of mine. Ladyhawke is no exception. Matthew Broderick provides comedy as a bumbling thief, while the beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer and her special Knight provide the refinement of the elite class in this story that has no other story quite like it.
The riddle of breaking a curse and the amount of uncomplaining hardship is the main story. There is beautiful scenery and amazing ruins and costuming bringing all of elements together in a very enchanting way. Casting is supurb!

Remains one of my top favorites!

I love the characters in this film! The whole cast really meshes together and draws you into the story. The story is a delight too. This film shows Broderick at his best and his performance is fresh. Pfeiffer is always good - what can you say. Hauer fits this role perfectly. McKearn adds wonderful color at the right time in the plot. John Wood hits his character spot on - vilan who's obsessed. The only part that I didn't care for is the ending when Phillipe hoists Isabeau up in an embrace of joy - it looks corny. Still it's a wonderful film - buy it!