Ladyhawke (1985) First Time Watching Reaction & Review 

Last time I checked not one person had ever reacted to this movie on youtube. So kudos to you for being one of the first reactors I've seen to cover this film.

I cannot believe you're the only reactor who has watched this! As long as I've been watching reaction videos, it's taken me this long to see this! Ladyhawke is my number one favorite movie!! I love the cast from top to bottom! The horses are also included, they all were simply beautiful!!! I love the fact that you solved the mystery between their half lives and also the eclipse. Bravo to you!! So many other reactors are missing out with this movie and you should claim bragging rights for being the first!

The black horse is not just beautiful, it's also one of the few examples of a horse that actually looks like a medieval destrier. In most movies, they use modern riding horses that are too small and slight in build. And, yes, the film was shot on location in Italy.

Thanks for reacting to this! I found you by specifically checking to see if anyone had reacted to Ladyhawke. This came out when I was a little girl, and it got played on television several times a year. I never missed it!

This is one of my favorite fantasy movies of all time. I never get bored by it. You're right....it was corny.....but corny in a fun way.

Saw this in the theater when it came out. In many ways it made me a fantasy fan for life as it blew me away. Fun, clean story telling, and over flowing with emotion. A classic in my opinion, one that even in its corniness is leagues better than most big budget movies of today.

When I saw this in the movie theater, many years ago, I did two things. 1) Bought soundtrack. 2) Had my rpg character acquire a double crossbow.

This movie is what I like to think of as Fantasy Fantasy, it’s has a more dreamlike quality than a more grounded fantasy movie like the lord of the rings. Other movies in that vein would be Excalibur (1981) and Legend (1985) If you like movies about beautiful horses, I’d recommend The Black Stallion (1979) Edit: also for more fantasy I’d recommend Dragonslayer (1981)

Alfred Molina needs to be added to the list of actors who never age.

I love the soundtrack for this movie. It gets a lot of hate that I don't understand. Also: Michelle Pfeiffer ages like a fine wine.

Thanks for this, Alexa! You're one of the smartest reactors I've seen, with tons of info about the architecture of the castle and the Middle Ages in general, not to mention mythology! VERY impressive. I've always loved this movie (and the score, which many people I know criticized because it was so clearly modern, but I thought it fit the film beautifully). I agree the horse was amazing--and Matthew Broderick's last line has always been one of my favorites: "I expect to see you at the gates of Heaven, Philippe." "I'll be there, Father if I have to pick the lock." Classic!!

First saw this as a kid in the 80s or 90s. Even at 40 it chokes me up/makes me baby cry. Just love everything about it. RIP Rutger Hauer ❤, Etienne Navarre is still the man of my dreams! Lol.

Absolutely love this movie. And this marked the point when I fell in love with Michelle Pfeiffer.

Nice reaction. Appreciated the castle architecture info. Want to second the Dragonslayer recommendation, and, if by some chance you haven't already seen it, The Princess Bride. If you want to try some variations on the love and transformation theme a couple chinese movies, Tsui Hark's 1993 version of Green Snake and/or Painted Skin (2008) come to mind.

I vaguely remember watching this decades ago and then forgot about it.. thanks for the recap. I probably missed a lot of the concepts when I was younger.

Saw this one in theaters. It would have been about 12 when it came out. I loved. And I love the music the did use, and still have my record that I bought so many years ago. I remember the sound they had edited in for Navarre and Isabeau almost touching, but transforming before they could. I remember the animalistic howl they combined wolf Navarre to human Navarre's howl of despair.

Rutger Hauer and the sublime Michelle Pfeiffer, victims of a curse, during the day, Isabeau turns into a falcon 🦅, and at night, Navarre becomes a wolf 🐺 LADYHAWKE a great classic.

Great reaction to a favorite movie -- nice to hear a reaction from someone well-educated in medieval history.

Great film! Alan Parsons worked on the musical score.

Absolutely fantastic reaction, this is such a fun movie and such a beautiful castle. Also, as a castle lover myself, more castle facts and castle reactions. lol

Saw this in the theater when I was a kid. One of my favorite movies.

Definitely an unsung ‘80s classic. Always wondered why it fell into obscurity after the ‘80s came to a close, rarely even shown on cable. It did do poorly at the box office, which made no sense, as it came out on a weekend in early April 1985 with no films of any consequence competing with it. It didn’t even make its $20 million budget back (though it likely made money overseas and in video and cable sales over time). I’ve always wondered about the bird theme that has reared its feathered head now and then throughout Broderick’s career. Before “Ladyhawke,” Broderick’s big breakout role was in “WarGames,” which featured John Wood again (the evil bishop from “Ladyhawke”) playing a guy named “Falcon.” Then in 2005, Broderick appeared in the TV show “Strangers With Candy,” playing a character named “Beakman.” Then a year later, he did a Christmas movie called “Deck the Halls” playing a guy named “Finch.”

Have you ever seen 'Stardust'? It's quite a different film from this one (and much more recent; I think it came out sometime within the last decade), but it's an excellent fantasy, and it also features Michelle Pfeiffer. I think you'd get a kick out of it.

great insight - you were ahead of the story for much of it but I'm glad you enjoyed it. the expectation, I think, is that the bishop's ring will be the new jewel for the sword.

OMG I love this film. One of the greatest movies of all time, Ladyhawke directed by Richard Donner starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Leo McKern. Thank you great reaction☺👍

The horse name was Othello (Goliath in the movie), he was a fresian. 😁

Thanks for watching this. I saw this in a theater when it came out. I loved it then as well as now. Such a delightful and beautiful film. This made me a fan of Rutger Hauer.

Hi Alexa, the "rouge" actor was also Ferris in "FERRIS BULER'S DAY OFF", a great movie if you fancy a laugh.

I've loved this movie since I watched it as a kid and it's only now watching your reaction that I realize how much of medieval(?) nerd fodder it is lol. Great reaction! They no longer make fantasy films like this anymore, you know, more personal ones. Everything has to be epic and grand. Too bad.

Re your question about the jewel - in the book, (which I think is based on the original script), there's a mention that Navarre uses the jewel from the Bishop's ring (I think) to fill the space in the sword. Then after he and Isabeau have parted from Phillippe, the outraged Navarre discovers that Philippe has stolen the jewel his father put there. (Isabeau finds this hilarious, and Phillippe hears his fury and her laughter.) So I'm guessing deleted or never filmed scene. Great reaction, thanks!

The Bishop and Matthew Broderick also star in War Games, an 80's megahit.

"I fully expect to meet you at the Pearly Gates, little thief, and don't you dare disappoint me." "I'll meet you there, Father... even if I have to pick the lock." Fun Fact: Curtis Armstrong auditioned for the role of Philippe Gaston (Matthew Broderick). Horse Wangler Fact: Captain Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer) rides a Friesian stallion that originated in The Netherlands, Rutger Hauer's native country. The breed was popular among medieval knights. The 19-year-old stallion Othello was the most prominently used horse. Stunt SNAFU Fact: In one scene, Captain Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer) tells Philippe Gaston to ride his horse to Imperius' (Leo McKern) castle and slaps the horse's rear to make it ride. However, the first time the scene was filmed, Hauer slapped the horse too hard and it took off over the hill and off into the horizon. The horse was too powerful for Matthew Broderick to stop, so all everyone could do was sit and wait for him to come back. Hawk Wangler Fact: Spike II, the hawk featured in this movie, worked in the Universal Bird Show until 2000, when she was transferred to the National Audubon Society and became an Audubon Ambassador until she died in May 2007. Another hawk was used for flying scenes, and another to sit on Rutger Hauer's arm. One enjoyed Hauer's company so much it would ruffle its feathers when seated on his arm, making it look more like a chicken.

I originally started watching your Star Trek content. Know I'm venturing thru you other reactions. You are hitting all my childhood favorites.

I love this movie, and love your reaction to it! Glad you really liked it!

Thank you for reacting to one of my favorite movies (though there was different music when I first saw it, which I liked better). Very happy that you caught onto the crux of the curse early on, though I'm a little miffed that "Charmed" may have "borrowed" the story. Then again, it's a general trope, so I can't really complain. Rutger Hauer plays the Captain, and if you watch "Blade Runner", you will see him again. Michelle Pfeiffer, in one of her early roles, is Isabeau, and she gives the character a lovely combination of delicacy, strength and will. Leo McKern, who should be better known than he is now, plays the monk who helps them. Matthew Broderick, who yes, was in a version of the "Music Man" is Philippe. He will also become better known to you if you see the later movie version of "The Producers" (though you should also see the original, with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel), and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". If you have seen the Matthew Broderick "Music Man", you owe yourself the pleasure of watching the older one, with the originator of the role, Robert Preston. Correction: although the odors of past times would undoubtedly be stronger than they are now, it's a myth that all people in the Middle Ages never washed, bathed, or kept themselves as clean as they could. There is, in fact, a French document, "Le Menagier de Paris", in which a husband instructs his brand new wife in cooking, managing a household, farming, and laundry. Isabeau has something more vital to do before she can go to Navarre - in fact, it's vital. She is NOT mincing forward. She is heading, with deliberation, to the Bishop who cursed them, to confront him with the objects of her transformation, and finish the breaking of the curse. She can run to Navarre after they are both free. There is actually more to this than a corny love story: each of the men here has to come to terms with themselves: the Captain has to soften and recognize love and loyalty again, coming to understand Philippe's devotion and Imperius' need to redeem himself. Philippe has to become more than a thief who isn't quite as clever as he thinks he is, and understand that he can accept loyalty and love within himself. Imperius has to take the steps to come out of isolation, and find the solution to the curse. This is the story of the making of family, as well as a "corny" love story (I don't believe it's corny, but understand how it can be seen that way. And in that case, what is wrong with "corny" if it's well done?). I hope you can watch this move again and kind of revel in the richness of the characters, and the poetry of some of the scenes, like the one where hawk and wolf almost, almost, almost touch with the sunrise.

Really enjoyed your commentary. You seem very knowledgeable about the medieval time period and that really ads a lot to this reaction.

Saw it when I was little and got it on VHS. Still love this movie till this day 💗❤️🇧🇪❤️💗

MY GOD someone actuially did a reaction to this, the is one of my all time favorite movies, even if I'm biased due to shapeshifting and dinosaurs and wolves :> But still great movie.

I loved your take on The 13th Warrior...and i saw that you did this one too, really loved it! and Yes, the horses were spectacular! and reminded me of Secretariat. great job!

love this movie and have suggested it to several channels yet you are the only one I have ever seen review it... so happy to share with you... love the music and actually you should say Knight's Tale is like this since this movie was first... loved seeing this in theaters when it first released and sometimes a little campy or corny makes a film more fun... the lady played the hawk is in a newer fantasy called STARDUST which is absolutely one of my favorites

Fun reaction. First one I've ever found to this movie that I love. And the music is a big reason.

I salute you for reacting to this film; not many reactors seem to have. "The Princess Bride" is probably a better picture overall, but I do love "Ladyhawke" as well and it does have the better music of the two. The great Crusader castle "Kerak of the Knights" contained at least one large cistern to hold much rain water for a lengthy supply, dodging the problem you mention. I am intrigued to learn that you have owned multiple swords. I will say that some scabbards have metal chapes and do scrape metal on metal when the blade is drawn or returned; and yes, this can dull the edge a little. And that "schwinngg" sound is beloved of filmmakers, as you say (vide the very start of "The Three Musketeers" (1973). Recommend: "The Lion in Winter" (1968) Recommend: "Time Bandits" (1981)

The "Mouse" was played by Mathew Broderick......his other big movies were War Games, Ferris Buehler's Day, Glory (one of the few dramas he ever did), and the Freshman.

"Dex rolls and Acrobatics" - A 5E fan I see 😃Mouse is clearly a Rogue after all 😁

I am assuming you have seen Excalibur (1981)? So many great actors in that one. One of my favorites (I can almost recite the whole movie word for word, I have seen it so many times). John Boorman Masterpiece.

YAY! To get Ladyhawke AND Legend in the same year, with Labyrinth and Highlander coming out the following year, was amazing. Have you done Highlander? Or Time Bandits? THANK YOU so much for the chat about Crusader castles.

AI Overview Learn more … The 1985 film Ladyhawke was filmed almost entirely in central and northern Italy, including: Campo Imperatore: A prominent meadow in the Apennine mountains of Abruzzo Rocca Calascio: A ruined mountaintop fortress near L'Aquila where Imperius, a monk, lives as a hermit Castell'Arquato: A town in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna Torrechiara: A castle in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna Soncino: A town in the Lombardy region Belluno: A town in the Veneto region Viterbo: A location in the Lazio region St. Peter's Basilica in Tuscania: The church where the closing scene takes place

I am pretty sure you're a bigger nerd than I am, and that's amazing

There is one movie I highly recommend that you do a reaction video on. Joe versus the Volcano. I watch this as a screener when it first came out and thought it was crap. But after watching it several more times over the years I understood what a real gem it is.

A while back, I saw a video from WatchMojo called "Top 20 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies of All Time". _Ladyhawke_ was #19, I think. When they described it, I thought to myself, "A medieval fantasy with Matthew Broderick? I have got to see this movie!" 😊

the best soundtrack.

Your knowledge of stories these movies are based on is astonishing

One of my favorites Try “Starman” - 1984

Now you need to watch The Name of the Rose - 1986 (Christian Slater and Sean Connery).

gaston is matthew broderick !

One of the best 80s fantasy soundtracks.

I dont know about other films like this, but when i watch Ladyhawke it partly resembles "Berserk". I highly recommend to read it, tho it's more gory and brutal than this.

I am glad you watched this, and for you the score was not so wrong as someone says!

I always imagine it as whetstone-lined scabbards, so the sword is sharpened each time it is drawn or sheathed, it helps to deal with the sound.

Flesh and Blood also with Rutger Houer

great movie

i took a tour years ago to some location about the film... damn no camera tricks those places are real. like Rocca calascio the Imperius house

The Beast Master 1982

Ahh, *the feisty rogue* in the form of young Mathew Broderick, two years after the first War Games movie, with Ally Sheedy. This movie is one of my favorites, and I loved your insight with this "corny" gem of a movie. And yes; Goliath is the scene stealer!

Phoebe in the _Charmed_ also referenced this episode without saying its name.

0:50 That's the star of one of greatest films ever. Mathew Broderick from War Games. Also from one of the funniest flms ever, Cable Guy which features Jim Carrey's best performance.

Damn, I wanted to see your reaction to the transformation scene. It was my favourite scene in the movie.

that black orse is the one used in mask of zorro

The only problem I had with this film was the Casio keyboard soundtrack.

Love your commentary on the myths this movie draws from. I haven't seen anyone who watch mythical or legendary based films with the knowledge you have. Also, big respect for your love and knowledge of castles, swords and Goliath. ;) Another movie you might enjoy, if you haven't seen it, is Flesh and Blood from 1985.

Also Hearts and Armor from 1983 with Tana Roberts.

I was never big in to Horses until I met my Real dad and he owned 2 Irish War horses named Silver D. and Kiger Bute. Those where two of the most incredible animals I had the pleasure of knowing. For there size they could be so gentle as to be alone with kids. Smart as to protect a fallen rider and attack a foe trying to get the rider. They could and Did function in situations where other horses would bolt. They saved my Dad when he was attacked by a Grizzly. The bear was in a river during the late summer so there was all manner of odors the Horses could not detect the bear so when it knocked my dad to the ground from out of a bush the Horses both went in to War Mode getting between Dad and the bare and then preceded to run the bear off. Both came out with some claw marks but fine. Dad loved them both so dearly and they loved him.

Sooo, you're not a David fan, huh? Seriously, lovely to see a true gem unearthed.

Great movie, needed a a Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack.

Have you seen 90s (Disney?) version of "Three Musketeers"?

Have you seen Lady Jane! Love that movie too! Blessings and Peace ✝️❤️

Love this movie! Well spotted as to why the film is called Laadyhawke 5.20 (they did a variation of this on Charmed? part of why I never liked that show, they ripped off story lines quite blantantly from every where else, their pilot episode was a rip off of Buffy season 3 opening episode, rant over) - Was intrigued by you pointing at the castle locations, so had to do a wiki search, Italy, Rocca Calascio & Torrechiara Castle, doesn't mention if either were Crusader castles, but they might have been). Someone below suggested Excalibur as a possible film to review, totally agree, wonderfully anachronistic but it started my love of the Arthur myth why I was little.

Yes, this was a castle reaction, not a movie reaction. I would have loved to see your reaction to one of the most beautiful scenes ever shot. Isabeau and Navarre the morning after breaking into the ice. When they are very close together and they are almost touching. But unfortunately this scene is missing.

Maybe you see Jason and the Argonauts 1963

First Knight is somewhat cheesy, though it had a much larger budget and prime stars in it.

Dragon Heart 1996

Try also 'Legend'

In the novelization... Navarre used the bishops signet ring as the next jewel. And Phillipe promptly stole it.. sorry god!

do a reaction to The name of the rose (1986)

Shrek 1 vibes

Il più conosciuto in Italia è il nome della rosa

Oh and if it's a horse Story you might want to see find Pharlap. No never mind. It would just break your heart

Charmed completely ripped off this movie what did that episode.

Metal to metal may sharpen the sword?

I loved this movie. I watched it so much in my youth there was a time I could recite the movie from beginning to end. So much about this movie was great. I still think the look of it is fantastic. Most of the performances were very good. I became a fan of rutger hauer after seeing this. 2 things kinda take away from this being really great. The minor one is the accents, primarily Matthew Broderick's. He did the half assed english accent every so often which was just sooo fake. (leaving aside that this was all taking place in (I guess) France). But... not horribly distracting, just annoying. The big problem, and I have to disagree with Alexa profoundly, is the soundtrack. It is god awful. I don't know about aging well, cause it was always bad. Even as a kid, that opening sequence is painful to watch, purely because of the music. At various points the soundtrack is so distracting it is so bad. There are a few moments where it fits (the transformation scene works for me), but I think thats a blind-squirrel-finds-a-nut-every-so-often kind of thing. Again, loved this movie, just those two criticisms.

There's no film like ladyhawke, only novels. And none so wonderful.