Ladyhawke

Philipe Gastone, a thief, escapes from the dungeon at Aquila, sparking a manhunt. He is nearly captured when Captain Navarre befriends him…

• Director: Richard Donner
• Genre:Adventure / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy / Romance

Cast

Matthew Broderick: Phillipe Gaston
Rutger Hauer : Captain Etienne Navarre
Michelle Pfeiffer: Isabeau d’Anjou
Leo McKern : Father Imperius the Monk
John Wood : Bishop of Aquila

In twelfth century Europe, Philippe Gaston, “The Mouse” (Matthew Broderick), is a thief facing execution who escapes the dungeons of Aquilla, via the sewers, and flees to the countryside. The Bishop of Aquilla (John Wood) sends his Captain of the Guard Marquet (Ken Hutchison) to hunt down Phillipe; he and his soldiers corner Philippe, but are foiled by a mysterious black knight reveals himself to be their former Captain, Navarre (Rutger Hauer), traveling with a beautiful and devoted hawk. Marquet warns the Bishop of Navarre’s return, who among other things summons Cezar (Alfred Molina) the wolf trapper.

Navarre tells Philippe why he saved him: he needs Philippe’s unique knowledge to lead him inside L’Aquila and kill the Bishop. As they travel Philippe becomes aware of mysterious and frightening events surrounding them, including the appearance at night of a black wolf and a stunningly beautiful woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), who is unafraid of the wolf.

Navarre and the hawk are wounded in another encounter with the Bishop’s men; Navarre sends the hawk with Philippe to the old monk Imperius (Leo McKern), to heal her. At the ruined castle Philippe finally realizes the truth, which Imperius confirms: the hawk is a woman named Isabeau of Anjou, who came to live in Aquila after her father died at Antioch (see First Crusade). All who saw her fell in love with her, including the powerful and corrupt Bishop. But Isabeau was already in love with his Captain of the Guards, Etienne of Navarre, with whom she secretly exchanged vows.

Accidentally betrayed by their confessor, Imperius, they fled. In his insane jealousy the Bishop made a demonic pact to ensure they would be “Always together; eternally apart”: by day Isabeau becomes a hawk, by night Navarre becomes a black wolf. Neither has any memory of their half-life in animal form; only at dusk and dawn of each day can they see each other in human form for one fleeting moment, but can never touch. Read more

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