Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

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

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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:

Cary Elwes was offered the role of Robin Hood and turned it down because he thought the plot was too contrived. He did however portray the character in the Mel Brooks spoof Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Plaque on the wall of Marion's castle.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Featured in Here's Looking at You, Warner Bros. (1991) (TV)

Soundtrack:

WILD TIMES

Exhilarating Adventure

I have seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves so many times and yet it still thrills me the 100th time as much as it did the first. I just can't ever get enough of this near perfect adventure film.

I've always cherished films set in medieval times. There's just something about the plights of the oppressed class and the simple heroics of the man who steps forward to fight for honor and better lives for the dismal. Then there are the luxuriant castles, the dashing sword fights, the extravagant costumes, the tragically beautiful princess he's destined to fall in love with, and the evil power-hungry villain who will stop at nothing to be King.

OK, it's a bit of a cliché, but this formula makes for the perfect escapist film and one thrilling and emotional ride. No, it isn't original, but it's just got everything you'd ever want from a film.

The story of Robin Hood has been done so many times, and (unlike most of his other roles) Kevin Costner is not only believable, but actually quite good this time (well, except for the accent, but nobody's perfect).

Alan Rickman is just flawlessly devious as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Nobody could have done it better, and he also had the best lines ("Because it's dull, it'll hurt more!")

This was sadly Kevin Costner's last great film, as he went on to star in such duds as Waterworld and the dismal The Postman. Christian Slater, Morgan Freeman, Sean Connery, and especially Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio give their all, creating a truly emotional and powerful film. I don't understand why the ratings are so low.

The ending is just beautiful. I boo at the sheriff, cheer for Robin, and cry during Robin and Marian's post-sword fight embrace every time, and you will too if you ignore the cynics and give this adventure a chance.

9/10