WILLOW
US, 1988, 126 minutes, Colour.
Val Kilmer, Joanna Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes, Billy Barty, Gavan O’ Herlihy, Kevin Pollak.
Directed by Ron Howard.
Willow is a fantasy adventure epic. It was imagined by George Lucas, author of the Star Wars films. And there are similarities. This is legend, battles, chivalry, wicked queens, magic and heroic quests. In more recent times, fans will make comparisons with the Lord of the Rings, especially the quest and Willow’s evocation of Hobbits.
However, the hero is played by small person Warwick Davis, an engaging screen presence. The Han Solo action is left to Val Kilmer (Top Gun, Real Genius, Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid). If you like those old, spectacular fantasies, then this beautifully photographed adventure is yours. Some of the mountain scenery comes from New Zealand. A family film - although there are some violent moments. Directed by Ron Howard (Night Shift, Splash, Cocoon).
1. The appeal of mediaeval legends, heroes and quests, endurance?
2. A film of the 80s, the genre and conventions of the Star Wars and chivalry films, audience expectations? Legends?
3. Panavision photography, re-creation of period, locations, beauty, darkness, the sinister world? Action and pace, editing? Action and stunts? Magic and effects? The musical score and the mood?
4. The prologue, the Queen, the parallel with the Old Testament Moses story, the escape of the nurse, the dogs/boars? Death? The Army? The prophecy?
5. Willow in the village, the field and the threat, family, baby, the fair, the magic trick, the chief, the balding official, Willow and his wife and children, the test for the apprentice? Failing? The mission? The selection of the group? The soldiers? The Brownies?
6.The information about the queen, her relationship with her daughter, the warrior? The prophecy and the baby, the military pursuit, fleeing, the nurse and her death?
7.The village, the small people, life, the friends, the context for Willow going on his quest? The celebrations? The issue of the baby, the decision to help?
8.The journey and the quest, Willow as the focus, his friends going with him, the pursuit and the danger, the Brownies and the confrontation? The fairy, as a rodent (and Willow's attempts to change her - a crow, goat ...)?
9.The destination, finding the dead people, Mad Martigan in the cage, his taking the baby and being responsible, Willow returning home, the capture, Mad Martigan giving the information?
10.The queen's daughter, the warrior, her doing her mother's will, with the soldiers? The encounter with Mad Martigan, the confrontation? The potion, his reciting poetry to her, her change, her falling in love, the clash with her mother, the final confrontation?
11.Willow, his character, persevering, with Mad Martigan, riding, fighting, the Brownies continually present (and their attempts at humour)? Trying to change the fairy? Learning to be a sorcerer?
12.The fairy, her voice, her age, the encounter with Willow, her coming to her human form, the changes, the confrontation with the queen, the battle of magic?
13.The magic of each of the women, the visual presentation of the confrontation?
14.Airiq and the villagers, the relationship with Mad Martigan, Airiq and his support during the siege, his death?
15.The queen, turning the advancing army into pigs, the reversal into soldiers, the siege, the challenge, their arising out of their cover to attack, the door and the battering ram? The battles, the swordfights?
16.Mad Martigan as a warrior, transforming from a thief into a knight? The queen's daughter and her watching, admiration?
17.Willow, his participation, watching the magic confrontation, his making the baby disappear by his magic trick?
18.The happy ending - especially the romantic ending for Mad Martigan?
19.Willow, his return, the people in the village all happy to see him, becoming a sorcerer - and showing his ability as a leader?
