The only 80s styling of the movie I hated was the music. I liked the movie back then, and still do.

You also might have missed one key ingredient in your theory: the general storyline of the “courtly love” tale actually highlights the plight of either one or both of the lovers before they meet, so their love (and sometimes redemption) can be seen as a triumph over the forces allied to either keep them from finding their strength or keep them apart.

So Dave’s gripe about not seeing their life beforehand has merit, because the story breaks the typical “courtly love” myth. He didn’t get why they broke from that pattern. I don’t either, but that part didn’t bug me as much as it bugged him.

As for me and the romantic myth of medieval courtly love, I believe it to be just that… a myth. Human behavior and written history tells us life in reality was different, which is why we still cling to the myths.

Plus, I can’t see Richard Donner letting someone add themes to his movie, if they weren’t already there in the script and he thought they might work. Then again, he also thought that music styling would work…

I think Pete may have had it right… Mouse fell into the spell around the cursed lovers and decided to play Cyrano to keep their hopes up right when things seemed darkest.

Wow… long response. Thanks, Chameleon for bringing out the geek ramble in me

Ok for me every movie or book (creative work) has a context in which it is created.

Bashing LadyHawke for its 80’s context is like slagging off Medieval monks (and their illuminated texts) for not writing simply. I think its an unfair slag.

I feel that movie theses days are far more slick and playing to the common denominator (or 13 year schoolgirl mentality according to Mike (Dragon Page)

So back in the 80’s possibly those involved in the film could bring out their own takes on the production.

This is a long way around to saying that I think someone in the creative process in the film was a Medieval History Major and the film thus has a strong “courtly love” motif.

Love in the Medieval age was supposedly pure, detached from base lust, the knight off on a quest for his love an unattainable princess on the tower. A handkerchief used to consummate the love, a blown kiss the high of its noble passion.

So the fact that we do not see the relationship before the curse, or the fact that the female role does not speak or come across with her own personality, or that it ends with them embracing this all fits with the “courtly love” theme.

So I think you just are not getting it?

Chameleon

First, on the ‘Brokeback’ comment, Mouse was totally taken with the Lady…

Second, and something I haven’t heard you talk about yet…is what the couple’s true relationship is like. After all, Mouse does a fair bit of matchmaking/Cyrano-ing.

Third, I figured no one stopped him from killing the Bishop because the Bishop was a despot and they were glad someone was taking him out.

FWIW, the music didn’t bother me. I just tuned it out, I guess.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy disintegrated into a mish-mash of city states. There was already a sizable Lombard population in Southern Italy before the Normans consolidated control of the area in the 1200s. France then controlled this area for centuries afterward.

Around 1254, the town of Aquila was founded. Aside from Naples, this became one of the principal cities of the region.

In the 1500s Spain took over. Control then passed to Austria (1700s) then France again (Napoleon in 1800s) before Italy was essentially unified around 1860.

So, at the time of the story, it makes sense that the nobility was French, while the population was Italian. Also note that there are many similarities between Italian and Spanish male names.

I haven’t finished listening to the podcast, so sorry if you’ve already noted this… but, I’ve found a reference indicating that the story is based on some French legend. I don’t have any details on that, but I will look into it.

It took me about 4 episodes of Firefly to realize where I’d seen Alan Tudyk before, too.

Tony, the music for Ladyhawke so did not have an energy to it. Just stop.

I promise, the next show you will hear me. You’ll probably also hear all the ambient noise in my apartment, but you’ll hear me.

This underlying trust in another is the hidden thread in the film. “Trust in the one you love and all will be resolved in the end.” Ah, well for Romeo and Juliet, not a good ending. But for Isaboe and Navarre, great.

Mouse is the commentator. He assumes the narrator role. And yes, MB is the best when it comes to that role. Only he could pull off, “Lord, if you are listening…”

It’s reviews like this that make me rethink why I liked/disliked the movie/tvshow/book. Thanks again!

KfK

Have you any idea how hard it is to try to sing while you’re trying so hard not to laugh?

What do you think of A Knights Tale?

Sorry I just wanted to mention I can’t hear Joe.

Keep it up, this is becoming better than Slice of Scifi.

And for GODS SAKE David, why dont you just go watch an Arnie or Sly Stallone movie?! Every complaint you have about this movie is basically because it’s not following the all flash and no substance formulae of Hollywood. Im appalled to here this tripe coming from a scifi and fantasy fan.

I kept humming “our love’s in jeopardyâ€? when the 80’s pop music segments appeared.

Though I did wonder how both managed to keep what they did keep during the years with all the changes.

And I can’t believe you guys aren’t screaming about the singing attempt at the end of the show

BTW, what was up with Joe? I could barely hear him and when I would turn it up so I could hear his comments, Summer or David would come on and blow out my speakers because I had to have it so loud to hear Joe. Just wondering.