Ladyhawke

Now regarded as a cult classic, Ladyhawke drew largely favorable reviews on its release in 1985, though its gross of about $18.4 million fell short of its $20 million budget. Richard Donner produced and directed this American-Italian medieval fantasy, which mixes romance, adventure and drama, and gave the leads to Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick. Warner Bros. opened it in the United States on April 12, 1985, with Fox handling other territories.

The story begins when Phillipe Gaston, a young thief who escapes the dungeons of Aquila, is drawn into the fate of a warrior and his lady. Captain Etienne Navarre and Isabeau d'Anjou are under a curse laid by the jealous Bishop of Aquila: Isabeau becomes a hawk by day and Navarre a black wolf by night, so the lovers can never meet in human form. Broderick plays Phillipe, Hauer Navarre, Pfeiffer Isabeau, and Leo McKern the monk Imperius, who betrayed their secret while drunk. Imperius finds a way to break the spell, but only if the couple returns to Aquila and confronts the bishop.

Vittorio Storaro shot it, with music by Andrew Powell. It was nominated at the 58th Academy Awards for sound and sound editing but won neither, and took the Saturn Award for best fantasy film. Joan D. Vinge published a novelization that year.