Willow main backdrop
Willow main poster

7.0/10 • 2K

1988-05-202h 6m

FantasyAdventureAction

A world where heroes come in all sizes and adventure is the greatest magic of all.

The evil Queen Bavmorda hunts the newborn princess Elora Danan, a child prophesied to bring about her downfall. When the royal infant is found by Willow, a timid farmer and aspiring sorcerer, he's entrusted with delivering her from evil.

Directors
Ron Howard
Editors
Daniel P. Hanley

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Val Kilmer

    Val Kilmer

    Madmartigan

  2. Joanne Whalley

    Joanne Whalley

    Sorsha

  3. Warwick Davis

    Warwick Davis

    Willow

  4. Patricia Hayes

    Patricia Hayes

    Raziel

  5. Gavan O'Herlihy

    Gavan O'Herlihy

    Airk

  6. Phil Fondacaro

    Phil Fondacaro

    Vohnkar

  7. Pat Roach

    Pat Roach

    Kael

  8. Rick Overton

    Rick Overton

    Franjean

  9. Kevin Pollak

    Kevin Pollak

    Rool

Reviews3

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Apr 21, 2023

7/10

Warwick Davis is great in this fantasy as the eponymous fellow charged with keeping a young baby from the evil clutches of the wicked queen "Bavmorda" (Jean Marsh). It has been foretold that this youngster will prove to be the undoing of the reign of terror that has permeated the land, and so this task is going to be perilous to say the least. Arriving at the crossroads, his townsfolk friends decide to abandon him and his quest but fortunately he has recourse to the trapped "Madmartigan" (Val Kilmer) who has been caged up and left to die. Pursued by the queen's battle-hardened daughter "Sorsha" (Joanne Whalley) and her henchman "Kael" (Pat Roach) what now ensues is a grand spectacle of high adventure that features some inspired special effects, a good solid story and some equally engaging characterisations that deliver a traditional good vs. evil scenario. I always support the baddies in movies, and here was no different - but I was very nearly tempted by the courage and decency of "Willow" to switch sides. Kilmer is on good form, his role allows him to flourish with some witty dialogue and plenty of swash and buckle as the denouement - and a magical one at that - looms large. Ron Howard and George Lucas have let their imagination take control here, and I felt it worked rather well. The photography and action scenes work well, and though maybe the story is a bit of an hybrid of others, it still doesn't stop this being an enjoyable David and Goliath style battle that is peppered with some strong supporting performances, some familiar faces and , I think, gets better with age.

Media

  • Willow poster
  • Willow poster
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  • Willow poster
  • Willow poster
  • Willow poster
  • Willow poster
  • Willow poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$35,000,000.00
Revenue
$57,300,000.00
Keywords
missionherobabymonstermagicprophecyfalsely accusedtraitorqueenanimal attackcastlesorcerer's apprenticeblack magicsword and sorcery