Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

reviewed by
Jerry Saravia


ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991) Reviewed by Jerry Saravia October 16th, 2001 (originally viewed on July, 1991)

As legend would have it, Robin Hood was a man of the people, one who identified with the poverty of the English people and would steal from the rich and give to the poor. His determination resulted in ongoing fueds with princes and paupers and those whom he stole from. The legend resulted in one terrific film with Errol Flynn back in 1938 called "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (it is still the definitive version). There was also the more mature, older Robin trying to have a romantic relationship with a suicidal Maid Marian in "Robin and Marian," starring Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn. In 1991, Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds had the temerity to bring back Robin Hood to the screen with Costner's American accent almost intact as a sour but also determined Robin. It almost felt like the end of cinema as we knew it. Casting Costner was like casting Gary Cooper as Dracula! Yes, brave casting indeed, but could Costner do it?

"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" has Costner as a depressed Robin with only occasional flashes of humor. His depression stems from the fact that he has just arrived back from the war of the Crusades after a few years, leaving with a Moor named Azeem (Morgan Freeman) back to England and good old Sherwood Forest. Unfortunately, Robin's father (Brian Blessed) has been killed by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman) and now, Robin wants revenge. Plus, he decides to help several homeless Englishmen and other denizens from the Sherwood Forest and other villages who need a strong leader to lead them and grant them freedom. Who better than Robin himself?

In hindsight, I dreaded watching yet another update on the Robin legend. Patrick Bergin showed some dash but little chemistry in the TV movie that was to be released theatrically the same year as this film. Only Sean Connery came close as a fitting replacement to Errol Flynn. Costner shows little gleam - he is the most morose Robin Hood to ever appear on screen. And yet I must confess that I enjoyed Kevin Reynold's remake immensely. It is clever, witty, wicked, dark, and often joyous. It is by no means a great film, largely because of Costner, but it is a fun ride for the most part.

The action scenes have a thrilling intensity to them. The escape from the dungeon in the opening sequence (through a modern manhole!) has the nerve-wracking thrills of an Indiana Jones flick. There are also point-of-view shots of arrows flying through the air, discovery of gunpowder long before Marco Polo that results in fiery explosions, flaming arrows, swords that emit sparks when clanging against each other, screaming crones, black magic, a Maid Marian (Mary Elizabeth Manstrantonio) that knows how to wield a sword though she ends up as a scared damsel in distress anyway, double-crosses galore, evil priests and clerics, and so on. This Robin Hood is designed to entertain you in any way it can and it succeeds.

Though it contains a miscast Kevin Costner, the other actors do their best and bring some sense of style. Mary Elizabeth Manstrantonio is almost Shakesperean in her mannerisms and excellent English accent as the fierce, loving Maid Marian. Morgan Freeman excels as Robin's trusty aide who has a bigger sword than anyone in the movie. But it is really Alan Rickman who steals the show and is at his devilish, wicked best as the theatrical Sheriff of Nottingham ("Call off Christmas!"). Rickman goes over-the-top but hilariously so, he just can't believe one man and his merry band of men could revolt against him.

Director Kevin Reynolds opts for too many close-ups and so this Robin Hood tale does lack the grandeur of the earlier incarnations. Still, in terms of action setpieces, he has the right flair. The fiery forest attack is expertly done as is the heartstopping climax where the Sheriff has a sword duel with Robin. There is also a nifty sequence where Robin fights a guard who turns out to be Maid Marian!

Overlong and nearly parodic (plus containing a "Star Wars" subplot that sure is grating), "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" is often superb entertainment and a nice addition to the Robin Hood cinematic legends. Plus, check out the grandly majestic cameo at the end by a great, iconic actor - it is one of the best cameos in history. It is such a wonderful surprise that it had audiences cheering at the end of a screening I saw, as if the real hero had finally arrived.

For more reviews, check out JERRY AT THE MOVIES at http://moviething.com/members/movies/faust/JATMindex.shtml

E-mail me with any questions, comments or general complaints at faustus_08520@yahoo.com or at Faust668@aol.com

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