Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writers (WGA):

Pen Densham (story)
Pen Densham (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 June 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

For the good of all men, and the love of one woman, he fought to uphold justice by breaking the law

Plot:

When Robin and his Moorish companion come to England and the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham, he decides to fight back as an outlaw.

Plot Keywords:

England | Crusades | Outlaw | Moors | Forest

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 13 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Kevin Costner	...	Robin Hood
Morgan Freeman	...	Azeem
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Marian Dubois
Christian Slater	...	Will Scarlett
Alan Rickman	...	Sheriff of Nottingham
Michael McShane	...	Friar Tuck (as Micheal McShane)
Brian Blessed	...	Lord Locksley
Michael Wincott	...	Guy of Gisborne
Nick Brimble	...	Little John
Soo Drouet	...	Fanny
Daniel Newman	...	Wulf
Daniel Peacock	...	Bull
Walter Sparrow	...	Duncan
Harold Innocent	...	Bishop of Hereford
Jack Wild	...	Much the Miller's Son

Runtime:

143 min | 155 min (extended edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

New Zealand:PG | Iceland:10 (theatrical rating) | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Canada:PA (Ontario - 2006) | South Korea:12 | Germany:12 (f) | South Africa:PG | UK:12 (re-rating) (2009) (uncut) | Sweden:11 (heavily cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (extended version) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The film is dedicated to the loving memory of Egil S. Woxholt.

Goofs:

Plot holes: The outlaws' hideout in Sherwood Forest is taken by surprise by large catapults, despite the density of the forest.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Prisoner: Show them the courage of Allah!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Stiller/Alanis Morrisette (#24.4)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

WILD TIMES

Entertaining, despite it all

The summer of 1991 was a lousy one for movies; there were only a few that stood out amid dozens of crummy releases. The only movies that summer that I admired were 'Terminator 2,' 'Thelma & Louise,' and this one, which still stands as one of the most entertaining action-adventure movies I've seen.

No, it isn't a masterpiece, on any level. Yes, I realize that Kevin Costner lacks a satisfactory British accent (he doesn't even attempt one). But the movie is still a fun, rip-roaring piece of escapism, sort of like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' only without the special effects.

Costner may seem miscast as Robin of Locksley, but there's no doubt that he had the physicality and screen presence to convincingly hold our attention as a larger-than-life hero. He'd just come off 'Dances With Wolves,' and so it was a thrill to see him on horseback again (it still is, in 'Open Range'). I'm willing to concede that he's no Olivier, but in the action hero mold, he still cut an exciting figure.

I also enjoyed Alan Rickman's great, over-the-top portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Out of place? You betcha. Fun? Funny? Wicked? Hey, that's why we pay admission.

The sets are all dank and gloomy and wonderful. The action is well-staged and had audiences on their feet all those years ago. Sherwood Forest is appropriately dense and spooky-looking. OK, so the movie has Christian Slater in it. I didn't say it was perfect.

'Robin Hood' marked the beginning of the end of Kevin Costner's unanimous popularity with audiences. Everyone started playing the part of Hollywood bean-counter and worrying about 'Waterworld's' budget. But you know what I like about both these movies? No CGI. I am sick and tired of CGI movies. Popping the deluxe 'Robin Hood' DVD into the old player is a refreshing treat and a thumb in the eye of digital junk like 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'