- Actors: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes
- Directors: Ron Howard
- Writers: George Lucas, Bob Dolman
- Producers: George Lucas, Joe Johnston, Nigel Wooll
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Vci
- Run Time: 126 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004RQNE
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,893 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Billed as a fantasy to please kids and adults alike in 1988, Willow was revolutionary in its day. Not only did it have a vertically challenged actor (Warwick Davis) as its leading man, it also set new standards for special effects, using the first known "morfing" (sic) systems. To top it all off it combined the talents of two of Hollywood's biggest names, director Ron Howard and writer-producer George Lucas, and changed Val Kilmer's destiny, influencing both his career and love life. In theory all this should have added up to a rip-roaring success of a film.
Alas, the end result has been unkindly if accurately described as the bastard son of Lord of the Rings, with Star Wars as its doting mother. The plot line (plucky young man sent off on a quest to protect something which could change the reign of evil) has obvious links to Tolkien's classic; Kilmer's Madmartigan (the diamond in the rough) has distinct similarities to Hans Solo. And with the great advances in modern cinemas special effects, Willow's ferocious two-headed dragons now look like something out of 1963's Jason and the Argonauts. However, even though it marked the end of the road for fantasy films in the 1980s, Willow's combination of locations, set design and groundbreaking SFX set new standards and influenced much modern cinema, including Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings. All in all, this is a movie with its heart, soul and magic in the right place.
On the DVD: Willow is brought up to date on DVD with this excellent special effects enhancing anamorphic transfer of the original 2.35:1 screen ratio; the Dolby 5.1 surround sound boosts the power behind Badmorda's roar as well as spotlighting James Horner's swashbuckling score. A lively commentary is offered by Warwick Davis, although he has a tendency to dwell on his own musings rather than the film as a whole. Other features include "The Making of the Adventure", which is a standard TV behind-the-scenes documentary/advert and a wealth of TV spots, trailers and photos. By far the most interesting feature is the "Morf to Morphing: The Dawn of Digital Film" documentary including interviews with George Lucas, Ron Howard and Dennis Muren (the renowned special effects guru) on the creation of morphing and its influence on later movies. –-Nikki Disney
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Willow" has been an easy target for the critics. Perhaps it's true that George Lucas wished he had written Lord of the Rings, or at least had secured the movie rights to it, but that doesn't take anything away from the magical adventure that is Willow.
There are some films which are timeless. You see them as a child and enjoy them equally as an adult. The adventure never pales, the wonder never ceases, and despite their clear existence in a world very different to your own, you care deeply about the characters and what becomes of them. No matter how many times you watch it. Willow is one such film.
Looking for something for the kids? Willow is perfect, and they'll wonder at your good taste. Want something to curl up to on the sofa with your other half? Willow's guaranteed to make 'em smile, laugh, and (when they think you're not looking) mist up a bit.
Warwick Davis is excellent in the title role, and his performance is even more remarkable given that he was only 17 when it was made. But Val Kilmer steals the show as the swordsman who finally finds something to believe in, wisecracking his way through various feats of heroism. The actor improvised much of his dialogue, which really makes it crackle. And watch out for the smoldering scenes with Joanne Whalley, parelleling their burgeoning off-screen romance during the filming, which ended in their marriage.
If you have never seen it, buy it now. If you have already experienced its magic, you already know you're going to!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I loved this film as a child and when I saw the DVD version I jumped at the chance to introduce it to my own daughters.
It's an excellent family movie for those long winter nights, with everything from dwarfish, heroic Willow determined to do the right thing as a family man to madcap Madmartigan, out for the main chance but a good guy really. When our fine heroes meet up with the seemingly evil but actually quite sweet Sorsha, daughter of the evil Queen Bavmorda, things start to get really complicated. Add a sorceress who (unwillingly) changes shape about twenty times over the course of the movie and you've got something the kids will go mad for.
For those adult eyes amongst us, it's sad to admit that this movie hasn't aged as well as we might have hoped. More than a little cheesy and peopled with every fantasy cliche character from inept magician to evil babykilling queen to swordmaster thief turned hero, the watching prompts as many winces as it does smiles.
At least the kids will love it. And, in theory, they're the ones we're buying it for.
It's an excellent family movie for those long winter nights, with everything from dwarfish, heroic Willow determined to do the right thing as a family man to madcap Madmartigan, out for the main chance but a good guy really. When our fine heroes meet up with the seemingly evil but actually quite sweet Sorsha, daughter of the evil Queen Bavmorda, things start to get really complicated. Add a sorceress who (unwillingly) changes shape about twenty times over the course of the movie and you've got something the kids will go mad for.
For those adult eyes amongst us, it's sad to admit that this movie hasn't aged as well as we might have hoped. More than a little cheesy and peopled with every fantasy cliche character from inept magician to evil babykilling queen to swordmaster thief turned hero, the watching prompts as many winces as it does smiles.
At least the kids will love it. And, in theory, they're the ones we're buying it for.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first saw Willow when I was very young, and now, a decade later, it has lost none of its magic for me!
The film tells the story of young Willow Ufgood, the reluctant hero of his Nelwyn village as he is chosen to return a very important Daikini (the Nelwyn word for humans!) baby to her own kind. However, Willow gets a lot more than he bargained for along the way, joining forces with a great (and often silly) swordsman, Madmartigan, two bossy and very short brownies, and the mysterious Fin Raziel, in his quest.
I loved everything about this film ... the music is beautiful, as are the settings (filmed in a variety of locations from Wales to New Zealand), the special effects are good, and the story is the classic and timeless tale of good versus evil, narrating the lives of many memorable characters. The film combines humour, action, fantasy and romance in a very satisfactory and watchable two hours. What more could you ask for?
And a note about the special DVD features as well ... crystal clear sound and vision, added extras such as interviews, trailers (some of which made me laugh) and stills from the making of the film, and a feature on the way the special effects were produced. I enjoyed seeing all of these - this classic is definitely worth the money!
Top marks for a film that I'll always enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Willow
A good family film, a must see - I'm urge anyone who hasn't seen this to bite the bullet and buy it.
A wonderful Saturday night's entertainment.
A wonderful Saturday night's entertainment.
Published 2 months ago by A
Great Film!
I looked everywhere for this film and finally found it! This film is great and the copy is really good.
Published 2 months ago by HK
XMAS PRESENT
Ordered this video for my son for Christmas - trip down memory lane for him to show his own children - fabulous film. Received on time and enjoyed by all
Published 3 months ago by KATHY
great
great for the money. came within 7 days, i got this for my daughter and she loved it. anything to keep her happy.
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Foster
Blast from the past
I watched this in the early 90s and loved it. I brought it the other day on dvd and still love it. Val Kilmer is so funny and Warwick Davis plays the part of Willow very good. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Miss Mulligan
Blast from the past.
Recent bbc two show with Warick Davis reminded me of the film from my child hood so bought it. Dated now but one for the collection.
Published 4 months ago by hadster
I confess - I bought it on acct of Life's Too Short...but...
...bearing in mind that this was made in 1988 (thats nearly 25 years ago) this is really pretty good!
Bog standard tale of good looking to overthrow evil - but so what. Read more
Bog standard tale of good looking to overthrow evil - but so what. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ginola14
Willow DVD
I love this film. Fantasy, adventure, fairies, trolls, wicked witch, dwarves, pixies, magic - what more can you ask for?
Published 4 months ago by LRH
What a film
This is the ulimate cheese 80's fair a fantasy story thats mixes in fighting romance and comedy if your a child of the 80's or just like fantasy setting this is the film for you. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rob
LOVE IT!!
I have always loved this film since being young but have not seen it for about 10 years. Finding it on here was the best christmas present to myself (ha) EVER!!!!!
Published 5 months ago by Miss Gee
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