Tim Curry portrayed the villain Darkness in Ridley Scott’s 1985 fantasy film Legend.
Curry plays the Lord of Darkness, a supernatural ruler who wants to plunge the world into eternal night. To achieve that goal, his goblins target a unicorn and steal its horn, an act that brings winter to the forest. Tom Cruise plays Jack, a woodland hero who must rescue Princess Lili, played by Mia Sara, and restore the balance of nature.
The role became one of Curry’s most visually memorable performances. Special-effects makeup artist Rob Bottin designed Darkness with enormous red horns, clawed hands, hooves, and a towering demonic silhouette. Curry reportedly spent about five and a half hours having the makeup applied, and much of the character’s impact comes from his voice, physicality, and theatrical presence.
Legend exists in substantially different versions. The American theatrical cut runs 89 minutes, the European version 93 minutes, and the director’s cut 114 minutes. The film initially performed poorly but later developed a cult following, helped by home-video releases and appreciation for its elaborate production design and Curry’s iconic villain.