Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

 13th Century, O-S  2 Responses »
Jun 202019
 
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Robin of Locksley, a crusader, returns to England with a Muslim companion and finds himself leading a band of outlaws against a villainous sheriff who is scheming to take the throne. I think that the screenwriters did the least amount of historical research among all of the Robin Hood movies I have seen so far, which is saying a lot. Despite my many complaints, the film is mostly pleasant, if occasionally stupid, but too long. Regardless, Alan Rickman’s performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham is a must-see. Read More…

Robin Hood (1991)

 13th Century, O-S  No Responses »
May 162019
 
Robin Hood (1991)

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sir Robert, earl of Huntington, a Saxon noble, offends a more powerful Norman noble and loses his lands, so he finds refuge in Sherwood Forest with a band of outlaws, adopting the name Robin. To his surprise, he finds himself leading a revolt against the Norman occupiers. A moderately accurate look at the period, it is an entertaining film with a number of strange but beautiful scenes. Read More…

Robin and Marian

 13th Century, O-S  No Responses »
Apr 252019
 
Robin and Marian

Rating: ★★★½☆
Unlike the majority of movies about Robin Hood, Robin and Marian is basically a romance. With a lot of action. Director Richard Lester was comfortable with swashbucklers, having made The Three Musketeers (1973), The Four Musketeers (1974) and Royal Flash (1975), but while he kept the action and humor, he added more mature scenes, providing an honest portrayal of men who try to relive their glory days, unwilling to admit that their best days are behind them. Read More…

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

 13th Century, T-Z  No Responses »
Nov 292018
 
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Learning that King Richard was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria on his way home from the crusade, his brother John seizes the throne of England. However, his tyrannical rule is opposed by a revolt led by the astonishingly merry Robin of Locksley. While Errol Flynn was born to play the role of Robin Hood, the decision to switch directors during filming resulted in an uneven movie. Read More…

Robin Hood (1922)

 13th Century, O-S  No Responses »
Oct 112018
 
Robin Hood (1922)

Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Prince John seizes control of England while King Richard is absent on crusade. Aware that the king would abandon the crusade if he knew, the earl of Huntington returns to England and becomes the robber chief Robin Hood to oppose John’s harsh rule. Although the movie was a grueling experience, the stunts are wicked, and worthy of Jackie Chan. To be fair, there is some history, but this is for silent film buffs only. Read More…

Robin Hood (2010)

 13th Century, O-S  2 Responses »
Sep 202018
 
Robin Hood (2010)

Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Even though it is called Robin Hood, I honestly have the impression that director Ridley Scott wanted to make a movie about England during WWII, since all of the men are away fighting in France, and everyone fears invasion. The story of an archer who convinces King John to sign a charter granting equal rights to all Englishmen, but becomes too popular and is declared an outlaw, the film is filled with an astonishing number of historical inaccuracies. In particular, the decision to transform a nasty squabble between two rival families over territory in Europe into a conflict between the English and the French produces a movie that has little to do with history. Read More…