What is goodness without evil? The basic question of the 1985 Ridley Scott-directed fantasy epic Legend suggests that the villain of any major fairy tale is just as important, if not more important, than its heroes. And, although the late, great Tim Curry has many, many famous roles — from Clue to Rocky Horror Picture Show — his role as the devlish creature known as “Darkness” may be his most underrated, and one of the most truly unique performances of his career.
As fans of Curry exchange their favorite performances with each other in the wake of the actor’s death at the age of 80, everyone should consider giving Legend another look. If you’ve never seen this bizarre, and yet oddly old-fashioned movie, now is the time. Although a very young Tom Cruise headlines this adventure, it’s Curry’s memorable take on the embodiment of all evil that makes this movie click.
