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Most would consider the director’s cut superior. I can agree with that but I think both versions have their strengths. For example, while not showing Darkness until much later in the film makes sense, the opening with him is so moody and perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the film, if you ask me.

But anyway, as far as musical scores goes, I comfortably choose the Tangerine Dream one. I know it’s the sophisticated and “right” thing to say that Jerry Goldsmith’s score is better, but honestly, as a big Goldsmith fan I have to say I don’t agree with that. I have heard all the reasons why Tangerine’s score doesn’t work or isn’t even good... score is synth-based so automatically it’s inferior, it’s generic 80’s electronic music (Jerry himself was critical of this non-orchestral score), it’s not grand like it should be, etc. Well, imo Jerry’s score is very typical of fantasy movies. I mean you’ve heard this type of score in numerous fantasy-based and adventure movies. It’s not bad by any means... it’s just a safe and super Hollywood score. Some call it unique but I fail to see/hear how. TD’s score, on the other hand, you can listen to it without having seen a single scene from this movie and it really sounds otherworldly (to be fair most of their scores are like that). It’s not simple electronic when it evokes images of fairly tales and this sense of pure wonder.

Needles to say, to my ears TD’s score has more nuances and flavors to it than Jerry’s score. So for me it’s no question which is the more suiting and better overall score for a film like “Legend”. And that’s my only complaint regarding the Director’s Cut - no Tangerine. I still find it awkward watching the dc version and not hearing a score that legitimately sounds like it came from a world filled with fairies, unicorns, goblins, magic, and so on and so forth. Luckily I have never grown out of this score - TD’s music in general - and I never will. If preferring their truly magical score makes me a philistine, then so be it.