Loosetooth Reviews: Robin Hood: Prince of Theives (1991)

Robin Hood is one of the most filmed characters in movie history, according to Wikipedia there are 78 films and Tv series in which he appears, either as the title character or as a bit part as played by John Cleese in Time Bandits. But few have had the cultural impact of Robin Hood: Prince of Theives.

Of course there are exceptions like Errol Flynn's swashbuckling effort in The Adventures of Robin Hood or Disney's 1973 animated classic.

Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner) and Peter Debois find themselves imprisoned while fighting in the crusades. But they manage to escape with the help of a moor named Azeem (Morgan Freeman). While Peter is killed before they can leave Jerusalem, Robin and Azeem make it back to England.

In the meantime the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman) attempts to recruit Robin's father (Brian Blessed)in his mission to claim the crown. When Robin's father refuses he's killed and his lands taken by the Sheriff, once it's proclaimed Locksley senior is a devil worshipper.

As Robin and Azeem make their way to Robin's home, they encounter a young boy being chased by a group of soldiers led by the sheriff's cousin/lieutenant Guy of Gisborn. After dealing with Gisborn, the duo continue on to find the Locksley estate a smouldering heap and inside faithful servant Duncan amongst the ruins, blinded by Gisborn.

While Robin is visiting Maid Marion (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) the Sheriff turns up, and Robin and his friends escape into Sherwood Forest. The soldiers won't follow because the woods are believed to be haunted. In reality they're occupied by the various locals the Sheriff has made outlaw.

Robin convinces the forest dwellers to fight back against the sheriff, and with his leadership they start to rob from the rich and giving it to the poor people of Nottingham. Much to the Sheriff's annoyance.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves became the second highest grossing film of 1991 behind Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and Bryan Adams' theme song (Everythin I Do) I Do It For You set the record for the most consecutive week's at number one in the UK charts, and made a star out of Morgan Freeman.

It could have been a very different movie though, Cary Elwes was originally offered the part of Robin, but turned it down because he thought the plot was too ridiculous. Ironically he'd play the character two years later in Mel Brooks spoof Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Johnny Depp also turned down the part of Will Scarlett, later played by Christian Slater, and Sean Connery, who plays King Richard, was originally going to play Robin's father.

Alan Rickman's Sheriff, along with his turn asDie Hard's Hans Gruber, is one of cinema's greatest villains, but he actually turned down the role twice before he was given cache blanche to portray the Sheriff however he pleased. Rickman even got to re-write and ad-lib his lines.

"Robin Hood steals money from my pocket, forcing me to hurt the public, and they love him for it? That's it then. Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings...and call off Christmas"

What more could you want from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? It's a classic adventure story, packed full of memorable characters and cracking dialogue. It was a must see movie in the early nineties, and it should be on the watchlist of anyone who wants to see a master class in villainary.

Have you seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.