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Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Patricia Hayes, Jean Marsh ... see more see more... , Billy Barty , Pat Roach , Gavan O'Herlihy , David J. Steinberg , Phil Fondacaro , Mark Northover , Kevin Pollak , Rick Overton , Maria Holvoe , Tony Cox , Joanna Dickens , Kate Greenfield , Jennifer Guy , Sallyanne Law , Michael Cotterill , Zulema Dene , Dawn Downing , Robert Gillibrand , Julie Peters , Ron Tarr , Mark vande Brake , Sadie Corre

Though Willow was one of director Ron Howard's few box-office disappointments, it definitely deserves a second look. At once an epic celebration and a gentle spoof of the sword-and-sorcery genre, the ... read more read more...film concerns the efforts by little person Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) to protect a sacred infant from the machinations of a wicked queen (Jean Marsh). One source book has assessed the picture as a combination of The Ten Commandments and Snow White. This is true enough, except that neither one of those properties offered such offbeat casting choices as Billy Barty and Jean Marsh. Executive producer George Lucas has (through the conduit of screenwriter Bob Dolman) added elements of his own Star Wars saga to the stew. The results are generally satisfactory, though the film is sometimes weighed down by too much plot, and the action sequences may not be suitable for very young children. Incidentally, this is the film where co-star Val Kilmer met his future wife Joanne Whalley. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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76% liked it

218,377 ratings

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46% liked it

26 critics

PG, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Ron Howard

Release Date: May 20, 1988

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DVD Release Date: November 27, 2001

Stats: 11,536 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (11,536)

  • phubbs1
    October 10, 2011
    phubbs1
    Classic tale of good vs evil with great characters and creatures throughout. All the cast are likeable and fit perfectly into the story making the film quite humorous in places, the 'Brownies' and 'Madmardigan' especially hehe. The action is nice and not too brutal, brings back t... read morehe feeling of old 'Errol Flynn' films in a way with swords, swashbuckling and the dashing hero.
    The main event in this film was the effects in the form of the cgi, first time used in a movie, looks cheesy now but it was state of the art back then. Tippet creatures are nice too with the old stop motion effects, they do look atad raggy these days and are obvious but it kinda harks back to good old fashioned Ray Harreyhausen fantasies.

    Probably the first big film for Val Kilmer this, he is good as the sort of anti hero turned complete hero, some nice dialog and visual gags, abit silly but hey. Also the first big lead role for UK born Star Wars star Warwick Davis who really does create quite a cult memorable character that is very likeable.

    Classic fantasy fluff and winner.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 12, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Adventure doesn't come any bigger than this.

    Well the idea of seeing it as an adult when I really wanted to see as a kid really failed! It was mostly boring at times although the end was the best thing of this movie. The story wasn't that interesting to me sadly. This movie actu... read moreally was nominated for 2 Oscars even though it didn't won any so give it a shot if you like, maybe your experience will be different.

    In the dungeons of the castle of the evil Queen-sorceress Bavmorda, a prisoner gives birth to a child who, according to an ancient prophecy, will put an end to the reign of the Queen. A midwife saves the child from the wrath of Bavmorda, but is forced to throw her cradle in a river when reached by the Hounds of the Queen. The river brings the child near a village of nelwyns, and little Willow finds and adopts her. When the Hounds reach the village, Willow begins a difficult journey to bring the baby back to her people and to fulfill the prophecy.
  • sergioogarcia
    July 12, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    As good George Lucas fan this is another example of his remarkable storyteller's skills. It's a story of a nelwyn called Willow that found a baby near a river. And that's when the problems start. With the help of Madmartigan (a thief) and 2 pixies they need to return this baby sa... read morefetly to a nearby kingdom befor the evil queen Bavmorda foun him first. Just great! 5 stars.
  • cosmo313
    May 18, 2011
    cosmo313
    The only thing going on that sets this film apart from other similar sword and sorcery/hero's quest/fantasy action films is thast this one is basically the Star Wars version of things, Not completely so, but, George Lucas had his hands all over this thing, and it shows, even down... read more to some of the music at times.

    Other than that ,this isn't really all that remarkable or special. It's not a bad film, and I was entertained, but it's not like a stone cold classic or anything. I think the main problem is that it just runs on for a bit too long, and often times it feels like it's on autppilot, and everyone's going through the motions. If you like that sort of thing, then fine. It's like a cheeseburger. Almost all cheeseburgers are pretty much the same, yet their familiarity gives a certain kind of comfort that we are okay with, even if it's nothing truly special.

    I did like the cast though, because it's nice to see Warwick Davis in a prominent role that doesn't involve tons of leprechaun makeup. Plus, it's just cool seeing the lead played by someone's who's vertically challenged. Val Kilmer fulfills the Han Solo role, and he's fun to watch, even if this isn't really his best or most memorable role. The "Brownies" kind of bugged me, and I now realize that they functioned as foreshadowing of Jar Jar Binks, if you catch my drift.

    So I'm giving this thing backhanded compliments and being nit picky, but, like I said, it did entertain me, so I do give it a mild recommendation. Perhaps if I had grown up with this movie I'd have a higher opinion of it, but who knows.
  • FrizzDrop
    February 25, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    The main reason a person would want to watch this epically magical tale of a dwarvian creature turned sorcerer, his vagrant warrior aquaintance, and two fairy like comic reliefs saving an infant from some backwards prophecy is because the story is by none other than George Lucas.... read more Not the screenplay or the direction mind you; that was mostly Ron Howard. Still, if you've obsessed over the space adventure masterpiece that is the original Star Wars franchise, there are similarities: a rugged thief who doesn't want to help the singular hero on a noble quest, who uses powers he's never heard of, all to destroy a evil entity locked away in a dire location. Right, an original concept. Props go to Val Kilmer for playing a charicature of Han Solo, Warwick Davis for bringing little people to the silver screen, and that baby who played Eleonora. Perfect facial expressions for every scene. Fun to watch, but doesn't require a second viewing.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    January 21, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Considering that Cocoon was Ron Howards worst film, I was pretty apprehensive to watch Willow. I had seen it when I was young, and didn't remember if it was good or not. I re watched it recently, and quite liked it. However the film has come under attack due to the fact that it w... read moreas produced by George Lucas, and he basically created an earthly version of Star Wars in a medieval era. I saw a few similar elements, but nothing really to freak out about. As I've mentioned, Cocoon was Ron Howards worst film, and this was his folllow up film to Cocoon. Howard has redeemed himself and has crafted an enjoyable fantasy film. The Story is set around a dwarf named Willow who must protect a baby from an evil queen. Willow sets out on a journey to return the baby to its rightful owner, and along the way he meets Madmartigan (Val Kilmer). Both set out on a great adventure to protect the baby. Willow is not a perfect film, but for what it's worth, it's a pretty good fantasy film that really the whole family can love. The film has enough action, comedy and thrills to satisfy fantasy fans. Though predictable, the film doesn't shy away from being fun. Willow is good entertainment, and definitely redeems Ron Howards from his previous work, Cocoon. So if you like these types of films of swords, sorcery and magic, give this film a shot.
  • Gx7
    September 19, 2010
    Gx7
    Personally, I think this movie is just gonna get more and more hillarious as time passes. (Hillarious but not in its intended way.)

    Willows Travels and the Fellowship of the baby, featuring Chewbaccas cousin, Snow White's Step Mother's Sister, and that was probably Godzillas spe... read morerm mutation.
  • ythelastman89
    June 13, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A fun little fantasy movie (yes, in the fact that it has midgets galore), this is very much the Lord of the Rings story that never was. A lot of the characters and themes are similar, with a touch of George Lucas to make it a little bit more interesting and unique. I don't think ... read morethere has ever, in the entire world, ever been such a large gathering of midgets. I have never seen so many of them on screen, it's bigger than the Wizard of Oz. It's like seeing the Shire, but with non-normal looking small people. It's really something to stand back and be amazed at, George Lucas sure made some friends when he did Ewoks. Val Kilmer is at his best in this, he is the most trigger-happy and funny sword champions of all time, even in league with the Highlanders. There's also an extremely racist made up term for midgets called "peck", enjoy using that and getting street tackled.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    April 5, 2010
    cancercapricorn2002
    A baby comes into the care of the elvish Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) and his wife, Kaiya (Julie Peters). The infant bears the birthmark of the one prophesied to come who will put an end to the tyrannical rule of the evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). But the Queen, too, knows of... read more the prophecy and is seeking the baby bearing the telltale mark. For the sake of his village, as well as the safety of the child, it falls to Willow to transport the baby to a safe haven beyond the boundaries of his land and the reach of Queen Bavmorda. So Willow sets out upon his journey, and along the way finds an ally-- maybe-- in the person of the self-proclaimed `World's greatest swordsman,' Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), and together (sort of) they embark upon an adventure that will ultimately lead them to a final confrontation with the evil Queen herself.

    With some help from George Lucas, Ron Howard delivers this highly imaginative tale-- which bears that unmistakable Lucas touch-- with a touch of magic of his own. A showcase of special F/X-- it pioneered the `morphing' technique so vital to the success of films like `The Abyss' (filmed one year after this one) and `Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)-- it is nevertheless decidedly not a `special F/X' movie. The F/X, though a big part of the film, to be sure, do not supersede the story. And because of that, it makes that necessary emotional connection with the characters possible, and takes the whole film to a higher level. A big part of what has made Lucas and Howard so successful, in fact, is that innate ability of being able to tap into the humanity of any given story (With Lucas, for example, his `American Graffiti' and even `THX-1138,' and Howard's `Parenthood,' `Night Shift' and `Apollo 13') and knowing how to convey it to their audience. It's the difference between being a true filmmaker, and just someone to whom an opportunity is handed who simply hasn't the insight or sense of human nature to know what to do with it (Like Adam Shankman with `The Wedding Planner,' Jeff Franklin's `Love Stinks,' Nick Gomez with `Drowning Mona' or Peter Ho-sun Chan's `The Love Letter.' All movies that suffered greatly because of their director's inability to do what Lucas and Howard do so proficiently and seemingly with facility).

    In the title role, Warwick Davis does a good job of bringing Willow to life, as does Val Kilmer in the flashier role of Madmartigan. Joanne Whalley does a decent turn as Sorsha, daughter of the evil Queen, but is overshadowed by the deliciously sinister rendering of Bavmorda by Jean Marsh, whose wickedness is shamefully delightful.

    The supporting cast includes Patricia Hayes (Fin Raziel), Billy Barty (High Aldwin), Pat Roach (General Kael), Gavan O'Herlihy (Airk), David Steinberg (Meegosh), Mark Northover (Burglekutt), Kevin Pollak (Rool), Rick Overton (Franjean) and Maria Holvoe (Cherlindrea). With an intelligent screenplay by Bob Dolman and original music by James Horner, `Willow' is an entertaining, enlightening film, rich in characterization and metaphor, with a subtle message and a moral that unobtrusively makes a statement about diversity and the value of an individual's contributions to the society of which he is a part; as well as the fact that one person can, indeed, make a difference. Visually stunning, too, it's a transporting experience truly filled with magic, and a journey definitely worth taking.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 17, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Willow is a Timeless Adventure Movie.

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Critic Reviews

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

The big budget can't conceal the fact that this fiction is fallow, more rootbound than spellbound. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Though children will mostly be enthralled by the spectacles, even they might notice the weak story protruding through the industrial magic. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

At the story level, Willow is turgid and relentlessly predictable. Full Review

Steve Crum
January 10, 2009
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Nice fantasy adventure, looking pretty dated now, but ably helmed by Ron Howard.

Pam Gelman
October 22, 2007
Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media

Magic-filled fantasy adventure for tweens and up. Full Review

Pete Vonder Haar
October 22, 2005
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat

As a movie, it's a hell of a video game

Luke Y. Thompson
October 21, 2004
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

It isn't without significant flaws, but overall an effective and memorable fantasy spectacle.

Widgett Walls
September 23, 2003
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

This is how I always figured the project got started: ILM called Ron, and said 'Ronnnnnnn, we're BORED.'

Ken Hanke
December 29, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Gad.

Scott Weinberg
May 23, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

A sloppy and intermittently goofy flick, but it still holds enough charm, excitement and good humor to please quest fans. Full Review

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Facts

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    • High Aldwin: Go in the direction the bird is flying!
    • Burglekutt Prefect: It's going back to the village!
    • High Aldwin: Ignore the bird. Follow the river.
    • Sorsha: You lost your skirt.
    • Madmartigan: I've still got what counts.
    • Willow Ufgood: What are you giving her?
    • Madmartigan: Just some blackroot.
    • Willow Ufgood: Blackroot! Didn't you ever hear that you never ever give a baby blackroot?
    • Madmartigan: Nonsense! I was weaned on blackroot! It's good for her. Puts hair on her chest. Doesn't it Nibs?
    • Willow Ufgood: Her name is NOT Nibs! It's Elora Dannen, and she's a princess. And the last thing she's going to want is a hairy chest!
    • Willow Ufgood: One day I'm gonna...
    • Burglekutt Prefect: You're gonna what?
    • Willow Ufgood: ...
    • Burglekutt Prefect: Bwa-hahahaha!
    • Willow Ufgood: Some day, Burglekutt. Some day.
    • Llug: Wanna breed?
    • Madmartigan: Err... tempting but, no!
    • Madmartigan: I am the greatest swordsman that ever lived.
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  • Which of these names was NOT a character in the movie Underworld?  Answer »
  • "Mumbo! Jumbo! Fix me some eggs or something!"- val kilmer from...  Answer »
  • Joanne Whalley accidently stuck her sword in a stuntman's foot while sticking the sword into the ground at the tavern in the film Willow ?  Answer »
  • What famous Hollwood couple starred together in "Willow"?  Answer »
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