[Released] Legend (1985) - U.S. TV Cut HD Reconstruction

LEGEND: U.S. TELEVISION CUT

Project Info

Like my recent Explorers: Definitive Cut release, Legend: The U.S. TV Cut is another personal passion project that has a special place in my heart. Ridley Scott's 1985 fantasy film, Legend, was another film I was introduced to in my childhood by my father. I have very fond memories associated with this film, and they have followed me into my late twenties -- and compelled me to do this project. 

Being a fan of Legend since I was a kid, I naturally learned of the various cuts of the film that have existed over years and acquired each cut when I could. There was one cut that had eluded me for years: The U.S. Television Cut. By the time I had started hunting for it Legend wasn't playing on TV much anymore, and I couldn't find any trace of it online to watch. My interest in creating this project would be ignited when I came across a site dedicated to the film and saw various mention the TV Cut; the site even had a complete breakdown of the TV Cut written up! After giving a thorough readthrough of the breakdown, I had in my mind that I was going to recreate this cut to the best of my ability. 

Video: Legend: U.S. TV Cut is reconstructed using the recently restored U.S. Theatrical Cut and Director's Cut of Legend found in the Arrow Video Limited Edition blu-ray set. The reconstruction is presented in the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio instead of the 1.33:1 aspect ratio of the original TV Cut. Legend: The U.S. TV Cut clocks in at 95 mins.

Audio:
LPCM: English 2.0 (Mixed down from the new LPCM 5.1 track for this release)
LPCM: English 5.1 (Sourced from the U.S. Theatrical Cut and Director's Cut DTS HD-MA 5.1 tracks out of the Arrow Video LE BD release)
DD+: English 2.0 (Converted and mixed down from LPCM 5.1 track)
DD+: English 5.1 (Converted from the LPCM 5.1 track)

Note: The English LPCM 2.0 track is the default audio track for this, which is the same for the Arrow Video LE release. This is done not only to emulate Arrow's release but to reflect both the theatrical and television releases.

Screencaps:

Status: Complete. PM for download.

Woah. I was pursuing law school at USC for entertainment law to become a producer JUST to reach out to ScottFree for empowerment to find [the possibility of] this cut... if this is the same one I remember from my childhood from HBO. I saw this movie at age 4, the first version I was exposed to. Aired every October in the NY Tri-State area. Voiceover crawl text at opening, Jack jumping around wildly by the bonfire... learned about the US cut, European, and DC over time, but was disappointed the faerie dance scene was "lost" in the DC because I still vividly recall seeing it in the cut I grew up watching. Is this THAT cut?

Hello! I've been searching for years to find this edit!! I found this post through a Google search. I registered for an account, specifically so that I could send you a PM, but every time I try, I get a message saying that I don't have access for that. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to download your fan edit - can you please help me to get in touch?? This is one of my most favorite childhood movies, and the first time I saw it was on television. My uncle had a recording on VHS, and I watched it over and over. I was so disappointed when years later, after his copy had been discarded, I bought the 2-disc Blu-ray and neither version was what I remembered. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

Hello! I've been searching for years to find this edit!! I found this post through a Google search. I registered for an account, specifically so that I could send you a PM, but every time I try, I get a message saying that I don't have access for that. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to download your fan edit - can you please help me to get in touch?? This is one of my most favorite childhood movies, and the first time I saw it was on television. My uncle had a recording on VHS, and I watched it over and over. I was so disappointed when years later, after his copy had been discarded, I bought the 2-disc Blu-ray and neither version was what I remembered. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

Same here! Were you able to get a response?

Hello! I've been searching for years to find this edit!! I found this post through a Google search. I registered for an account, specifically so that I could send you a PM, but every time I try, I get a message saying that I don't have access for that. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to download your fan edit - can you please help me to get in touch?? This is one of my most favorite childhood movies, and the first time I saw it was on television. My uncle had a recording on VHS, and I watched it over and over. I was so disappointed when years later, after his copy had been discarded, I bought the 2-disc Blu-ray and neither version was what I remembered. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

Same here! Were you able to get a response?

I was able to reach out, but no response as of yet. Doesn't seem like OP frequents this forum, so it's a wait and see sorta thing at this point, I suppose. With any luck, if I get a copy, happy to share it.

Hello! I've been searching for years to find this edit!! I found this post through a Google search. I registered for an account, specifically so that I could send you a PM, but every time I try, I get a message saying that I don't have access for that. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to download your fan edit - can you please help me to get in touch?? This is one of my most favorite childhood movies, and the first time I saw it was on television. My uncle had a recording on VHS, and I watched it over and over. I was so disappointed when years later, after his copy had been discarded, I bought the 2-disc Blu-ray and neither version was what I remembered. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

Same here! Were you able to get a response?

Nope - nothing but crickets. I've sent two PMs, as well. If you go to the OP's profile, you can see the last time they logged on (I just checked, and last date was 1/24/2024), so I guess they're just not checking messages, notifications, etc.?? It's so frustrating knowing that this edit exists and I can't get my hands on it, lol!

Hello! I've been searching for years to find this edit!! I found this post through a Google search. I registered for an account, specifically so that I could send you a PM, but every time I try, I get a message saying that I don't have access for that. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to download your fan edit - can you please help me to get in touch?? This is one of my most favorite childhood movies, and the first time I saw it was on television. My uncle had a recording on VHS, and I watched it over and over. I was so disappointed when years later, after his copy had been discarded, I bought the 2-disc Blu-ray and neither version was what I remembered. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

Same here! Were you able to get a response?

I was able to reach out, but no response as of yet. Doesn't seem like OP frequents this forum, so it's a wait and see sorta thing at this point, I suppose. With any luck, if I get a copy, happy to share it.

That would be AMAZING!!!

I would be interested in this as well, hopefully it still exists since the thread was opened several years ago. @kidjupiter92 if you're around and still have it, feel free to PM me with information on it!

My mom's version of this on VHS stoped working a few years ago. I was devastated.

Hi all! I got in touch with this creator over on Reddit!! See info from my Reddit post below:

Hello fellow Legend fans! I have exciting news!!

Reddit u/TargaryenSkywalker92 has reconstructed the 1989 US TV edit of Legend (original US theatrical release, 1985), and it is available for download as a high quality, 18 GB, .mkv file!! Read on for more info ?

Download link:
https://mega.nz/file/nJlyBC7Z#CTrlccgnOH...hWdUdvr0zY

Comment from u/TargaryenSkywalker92 on my original r/lostmedia post, after chatting with me and sharing the above link:
"Hello, folks! I wanted to inform you all that savage contacted me recently, and I have since sent him (sic) the link to the edit. If anyone here is interested in seeing my reconstruction of the cut, please drop me in my inbox. If anyone of you peruse the Internet Archive, keep your eyes open. I'l more than likely upload it, along with my recent UK TV Cut reconstruction there. My remaster of the European Theatrical Cut/International Cut is up there already."

My story:
I had been looking for the US TV edit of Legend (1989) for almost a year. I had originally attempted contacting u/TargaryenSkywalker92 on another platform, but due to their sporadic activity there, I was not able to connect with them. So, I was thrilled when they responded to my Reddit message!! They were able to reconstruct this version with a blend of scenes from the European theatrical, US theatrical, and director's cuts. I've seen it and it's everything I remember - narration over the opening crawl, Tangerine Dream score, extended Meg Mucklebones and Gump scenes, and original opening and ending scenes ("Mother Night" soliloquy, and Darkness laughing over Jack and Lily waving goodbye to their friends).

u/TargaryenSkywalker92 was excited to share their reconstruction, and so I'm following up on all the posts I came across in my search where others were seeking this nostalgic little pot of cinematic gold ?

Excerpt of PM from u/TargaryenSkywalker92 to me:
"...You and the rest of the Legend fandom are very welcome! I knew there had to be many more like [me] out there that wanted to reexperience the TV cut, and couldn't resist sharing it with the rest of the world.

Please share it however you can, I'd love for more people to be able to access it."

You can also message u/TargaryenSkywalker92 directly here on Reddit, if you have any issues or questions.

Please feel free to share the link with any other Legend fans you know! ✨