When you think of a fantasy film, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many people, the answer will be Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, for good reason – those movies are great. However, there’s a whole history of beautiful, imaginative fantasy films that came out before that. As a fan of all forms of fantasy, I thought I’d take the opportunity to spotlight some of the great fantasy films of the 1980s available at Mead Public Library. For some readers, these will be nostalgic old favorites, but for others, they’ll be brand new discoveries. I hope you find both something old and something new to love on this list!
Labyrinth
When I say “1980s fantasy film”, there’s a good chance this is the first movie you think of, and it’s not hard to see why. David Bowie’s performance as The Goblin King, who punishes teenager Sarah for a careless wish by trapping her brother at the heart of a surreal and treacherous labyrinth, is nothing short of iconic. Bowie also lent his voice to the film’s soundtrack, from the playful “Magic Dance” to the dreamy “As The World Falls Down” to the haunting “Within You”, which in my opinion has got to be one of the most underrated cinematic villain songs of all time. The film is also visually gorgeous, from the costumes to the Jim Henson Company’s puppetry, which populates the Goblin King’s realm with a panoply of fantastical creatures. This film is incredibly rewatchable even if you nearly know it by heart, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’ll be lucky enough to have the joy of experiencing it for the first time.
The Princess Bride
Labyrinth may be rewatchable, but The Princess Bride has got to be near the top of the list of the most rewatchable movies of all time. As grandfather reads a storybook to his sick grandson, the audience is drawn into the world of the book, the “twu wuv” between headstrong Buttercup and loyal farm boy Westley, and their quest to be reunited. This is also one of the most quotable movies of all time, from “As you wish!” to “Have fun storming the castle!”. If you can’t get enough of The Princess Bride, it’s also featured in Mead Public Library’s Movie Geek Box collection, where you can find the book that inspired the film, lead actor Cary Elwes’ recollections from the set, and more.
Ladyhawke
Did the love story from The Princess Bride steal your heart? Are you a fan of “kissing books” and other dreamy romantic films such as Ever After and Romeo + Juliet? If so, while Ladyhawke might not be as well known as some of the other films on this list, it absolutely deserves your attention. On the run from the law, the witty and talkative thief Philippe Gaston becomes entangled with the mysterious swordsman Captain Navarre, who has been separated from his true love by a jealous rival’s curse. This movie is a one-hundred percent earnest romantic fairy tale without a trace of irony or cynicism in sight. In other words, when watched in the right mood, it’s a breath of fresh air. The cast is also noteworthy: Matthew Broderick stars as Philippe, alongside Rutger Hauer as Navarre and Michelle Pfeiffer as Navarre’s beloved Isabeau. I also love the title track. It’s pure concentrated 80s’ cheese in the best way.
Excalibur
How do you make a movie about King Arthur? This film might be the most ambitious answer to that question. It adapts as much of the story as is possible to fit in a film, from the sword in the stone to Arthur’s death at the hands of his own son at the Battle of Camlann. The film’s technical mastery is a match for its ambitious storytelling – this might be the most purely beautiful film on this list. The cast here is also extremely impressive. A young Helen Mirren turns in a memorable villainous performance as Morgana le Fay, and Patrick Stewart makes a big impression in a small part as King Leodegrance, father of Guinevere. The standout, however, is Nicol Williamson as Merlin, who creates one of the most mesmerizing versions of the character I’ve ever seen on screen. For fans of the Arthurian legends, fantasy, and filmmaking on an epic scale, this is a must-watch.
Legend
There’s a special place in my heart for this movie. It may not be the most beloved 80s fantasy film, but it’s undoubtedly the most 80s fantasy film. The plot is as archetypal a fairy tale as it gets. Jack, played by Tom Cruise, must rescue Princess Lili from an inhuman evil force called Darkness, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. As Darkness, Tim Curry hams it up through makeup a lesser actor would get lost in. A highlight is the dreamlike dance sequence where Princess Lili is tempted and transformed by her own inner darkness. Tangerine Dream’s synthy score shines here, as through the rest of the film. There are times when I have to recommend a film simply because there’s been nothing else like it, before or since, and this is one of those times.
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