Variety
A medieval mishmash from George Lucas, a sort of 10th-century Star Wars tossed together with a plethora of elements taken from numerous classic fables.
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Willow
Ron Howard directs the fantasy story by George Lucas. Warwick Davis is Willow, a simple farmer and aspiring sorcerer, tasked with protecting a baby from the tyrannical Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). Co-stars Val Kilmer and wife-to-be Joanne Whalley, who met each other on set. Ahead of its time for a fantasy epic, location shooting took place in New Zealand.
Fearful of a prophecy stating that a girl child will be born to bring about her downfall, the evil Queen Bavmorda imprisons all pregnant women in the land of Nockmaar. A child, Elora Danan, is born in the Nockmaar dungeons and identified as the prophesied child by a birthmark on her arm. However, before the black sorceress arrives to claim the child, Elora's mother convinces her reluctant midwife to escape with the baby.
Less1988Rating: PG126 minsUSA, New Zealand
AdventureFantasy
- Director:
- Ron Howard ('Cocoon', 'Backdraft', 'Apollo 13', 'Ransom', 'A Beautiful Mind')
- Writer:
- Bob DolmanGeorge Lucas
- Cast:
- Val KilmerJoanne WhalleyWarwick DavisJean MarshTony CoxKevin Pollak
Willow | Reviews
52%56 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® Score
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The New York Times
Though ''Willow'' bears many signs of the Lucas imagination, it has been directed by Ron Howard, whose approach is more matter-of-fact.
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