MovieChat Forums > Ladyhawke (1985) Discussion > Brilliant filmmaking during the removing...

Brilliant filmmaking during the removing-the-arrow scene


The scene where Imperius removes the arrow from Isabeau is incredibly well-filmed. It would've been easy to just have a shot of the castle while hearing Isabeau scream, but instead they went all-out.

The panicked violins (when we see Phillipe outside) to ratchet up the tension. Then a few seconds later, the rapid-fire cuts from Isabeau screaming, to Phillipe turning his head, to Imperius grimacing, to the wolf howling, to a zoom-in on the sword.

All that work for a sequence that lasts less than 10 seconds. Amazing.

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soooo agree with this! these are part of the truly magic moments that this movie brings. I personally price better the moment when they are in the snow and the transformation allows them for fews seconds...the score, the sun effects, they all contribute to this sense of forces beyond their grasp...love it to the bone!

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I love that scene, it's one of the best in the film.

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Agreed. That editing was phenomenal. Even 10 year old me recognized that when I first saw it. Believe it or not, it's not disimilar to a sequence in High Noon (something 12 year old me caught in school)

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Bravo to everyone who’s posted here. Ladyhawke is a treasure. So good to seeing it savored and appreciated, with no clamor for “Remake!” There’s no one left to fill
Hauer’s shoes.

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