Willow, 1988, is that great adventure story everyone should know from the creative genius of George Lucas. Yep, we’re going back to the classic hero’s journey, back before they turned Lord of the Rings into a film in New Zealand, there was this story (partly filmed in New Zealand). Written by Bob Dolman from the idea of George Lucas, directed by Ron Howard. And the fun thing about all of this; the story continues in novel form, just so you know.
A baby girl bearing the mark on her arm is born in the dungeons of the castle. Fearing the prophecy this child is meant to fulfil, the evil Queen, Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), is determined to ritually sacrifice the baby. But the midwife spirits her out of the castle and keeps her safe until the Hounds catch up and she must trust in luck that the child will be plucked from the river by good people. She is, by little Willow (Warwick Davis) and his family and they were going to keep her safe, but the Hounds attack their village. The village decides to send the child back to the big people and that’s where things really start (honest, that was just leading up to the big adventure). Joined by a great swords man, Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), a couple of Brownies, a sorceress trapped in a possum’s body, and the queen’s daughter, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), Willow sets off on an adventure to keep the baby safe.
This is one of the best stories out there from Lucas. Forget Indiana Jones, this makes that look pathetic. You will fall head over heels in love with Willow, he is such a good person. Madmartigan will have the ladies sighing (Oh my, he does look great without a shirt), and the brownies people who are tiny like fairies are adorable and funny as hell. I want them.
There are things that are rather similar to Star Wars, in tone and styling. And if I want to be completely honest, in the story and characters. Bavmorda reminds me so much of the emperor, Madmartigan is like Han Solo (just hotter), Sorsha is like Leia, and Willow is an older more settled Luke. Sorsha betrays her mother like Darth Vadar betrays his master. I had to giggle as I realised this, nothing wrong with it, but you can see the type of story Lucas is attracted to.
It’s a great fantasy. Starts off very sad when everyone is dying around this baby, and it gets dark for a moment there during the ritual, but it is a very nice story with lots of soft spots.
The baby Elora was played by sisters Ruth and Kate Greenfield.
Bear in mind this was made in the eighties, so the hair was always going to be big, unfortunately, that’s also on the men. Long hair everywhere. It’s destroying my fantasy of knights.
Absolutely watch this if you haven’t already. Seriously, this is well worth the watch. Intentionally go out and find this and love it. I love Willow!
A baby girl bearing the mark on her arm is born in the dungeons of the castle. Fearing the prophecy this child is meant to fulfil, the evil Queen, Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), is determined to ritually sacrifice the baby. But the midwife spirits her out of the castle and keeps her safe until the Hounds catch up and she must trust in luck that the child will be plucked from the river by good people. She is, by little Willow (Warwick Davis) and his family and they were going to keep her safe, but the Hounds attack their village. The village decides to send the child back to the big people and that’s where things really start (honest, that was just leading up to the big adventure). Joined by a great swords man, Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), a couple of Brownies, a sorceress trapped in a possum’s body, and the queen’s daughter, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), Willow sets off on an adventure to keep the baby safe.
This is one of the best stories out there from Lucas. Forget Indiana Jones, this makes that look pathetic. You will fall head over heels in love with Willow, he is such a good person. Madmartigan will have the ladies sighing (Oh my, he does look great without a shirt), and the brownies people who are tiny like fairies are adorable and funny as hell. I want them.
There are things that are rather similar to Star Wars, in tone and styling. And if I want to be completely honest, in the story and characters. Bavmorda reminds me so much of the emperor, Madmartigan is like Han Solo (just hotter), Sorsha is like Leia, and Willow is an older more settled Luke. Sorsha betrays her mother like Darth Vadar betrays his master. I had to giggle as I realised this, nothing wrong with it, but you can see the type of story Lucas is attracted to.
It’s a great fantasy. Starts off very sad when everyone is dying around this baby, and it gets dark for a moment there during the ritual, but it is a very nice story with lots of soft spots.
The baby Elora was played by sisters Ruth and Kate Greenfield.
Bear in mind this was made in the eighties, so the hair was always going to be big, unfortunately, that’s also on the men. Long hair everywhere. It’s destroying my fantasy of knights.
Absolutely watch this if you haven’t already. Seriously, this is well worth the watch. Intentionally go out and find this and love it. I love Willow!
