by Tim Gordon
39 Years Ago Today: Under the Cherry Moon was released — a 1986 romantic musical comedy-drama film that marked Prince’s directorial debut.
The follow-up to his legendary 1984 film Purple Rain, it stars Prince alongside former The Time member Jerome Benton, Steven Berkoff, Kristin Scott Thomas (in her feature film debut), and Francesca Annis.
Although the film underperformed both critically and commercially at the time, famously tying with Howard the Duck for Worst Picture at the Golden Raspberry Awards and winning five Razzies overall, its legacy has endured thanks to its music and singular style. The Parade soundtrack sold over a million copies and went platinum, cementing Prince’s status as a musical visionary.
Since Prince’s passing in 2016, Under the Cherry Moon has been rediscovered and reappraised by contemporary critics and fans alike, now celebrated as a cult classic for its lush black-and-white visuals, decadent ‘80s French Riviera setting, and the bold artistic risks only Prince could pull off. Proof that genius sometimes takes time to be fully understood.
Under the Cherry Moon — forever a Reel Classic.