Why are there different versions of LEGEND and how many exist?
LEGEND went through 15 rewrites before a final script was settled on. According to Cinefantastique (Vol. 15, # 5), Ridley Scott's first cut of the film ran a total of 125 minutes. He considered this a work print and edited it down to a more manageable cut of 113 minutes. The 113 minute cut was shown to a preview audience and the results were unsatisfactory. The film was again cut, to 98 minutes and then 94 minutes.
LEGEND was slated to be released in U.S. theaters in June, 1985, but MCA/Universal then canceled and rescheduled the date for November 8, 1985. At this time, the film was released in the UK and other parts of the world with the Jerry Goldsmith score and a running time of 94 minutes.
In the Summer of 1985, the film's trailer with the Goldsmith score ran in U.S. theaters. This trailer/teaser was very short and consisted solely of the unicorns and the title presented in glass lettering on a black background.
When November, 1985, rolled around, Ridley Scott and producer Timothy Hampton's only response to the film's continuing delay was, "Universal will be releasing the film." The film was then cut to 89 min. and the Goldsmith score was replaced by the more Pop/Synth orientated sound of Tangerine Dream.
The studio decided that the film's new release date would be in the Spring of 1986 and yet in May 1986 MCA/Universal makes plans to cancel the film's release yet again, this time citing that audiences would not accept Tom Cruise with long hair. They feared the film would be laughed at, so they considered an August release. Instead, the Spring release went ahead as planned and the film opened and remained in theaters for a short while. Critics found the film empty, characterless and possessing a simple and weak storyline.
In March, 1989, MCA/Universal prepared the film for syndicated television on it's "Universal Debut Network", the same that ran the extended version of "DUNE". This slightly extended version of the film was shown on March 1st, 1989. This version contains the Tangerine Dream score except for the extra scenes which contain the Jerry Goldsmith score.
In March, 1990, the film is released in Japan on laserdisc with the Goldsmith score and a running time of 91 min.
On May 21st, 2002, Universal released the Ultimate Edition DVD of LEGEND with the 113 minute cut presented as the Ridley Scott's Director's cut.
The Confirmed Versions we have actually seen and/or owned :
- American (Tangerive Dream Score), 89 minutes.
- European (Goldsmith Score), 94 Minutes.
- Television version (Tangerine Dream Score with the Goldsmith score in two spots with new footage), 94 minutes as taped off PBS.
- Director's Cut (Goldsmith Score), 113 Minutes. This is also known as Scott's second cut of the film and this version was previewed to a test audience in Orange County. The existence of this cut was documented here : Scott's second cut of the film. (Jones, Alan. "LEGEND." Cinefantastique. Volume 15, Number 5, January 1986: P.27.).
The Unconfirmed Versions (which have not found
by us yet but have been reported in various magazines) :
- Work Print (G) 140 Minutes
The length of the film that Goldsmith claims he originally scored.
(Larson, Randall D. and Benair, Jonathan. "The Musics for
LEGEND." Cinemascore. Volume 15, Summer 1987: P. 38.)
- First Cut (G) 125 Minutes
Ridley Scott's first cut of the film. (Jones, Alan. "LEGEND."
Cinefantastique. Volume 15, Number 5, January 1986: P.27.).
- Third Cut (G) 98 Minutes
Scott's third cut of the film. (Jones, Alan. "LEGEND."
Cinefantastique. Volume 15, Number 5, January 1986: P.27.).
Non-existant versions (Reported in a magazine and discredited)
- Two Hour German Version of LEGEND
Does the two hour German version of LEGEND, which was mentioned in The Video Watchdog Book as LEGENDE, exist?
No, this version does not exist. In The Video Watchdog Book, on Page 221, Tim Lucas wrote,
"And there's the issue of language. Even if one understands German, is it possible to accept the German video of Legende - which retains Ridley Scott's original two-hour, Jerry Goldsmith-scored cut of LEGEND (1985; rescored by Tangerine Dream ans cut to 89m for American release) - as the director's cut, when the voices of Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry have been redubbed by Teutonic Talent?"
When I asked Tim Lucas about this quote, he replied,
"My initial reference to a German version of LEGEND was written off the top of my head, and what I was really thinking of was the French [widescreen] version."
Tim Lucas publishes Video Watchdog Magazine, which is an excellent source of information about film and video.
This page was last updated on January 1st, 2005.
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