Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

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Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

It's not so much that Kevin Costner lacks an English accent: it's that he HAS an American accent. A PARTICULAR American accent. I don't care if that's the way everyone spoke back in the twelfth century; in the context of this film, it sounds as if someone has wandered off the west coast of the United States wearing sunglasses. I admit there COULD have been artistic justification, but there isn't. Shall we play spot-the-anachronism? It's all too easy, but I'll start with a less obvious one: the longbow. The longbow was a powerful, advanced weapon that everyone has associated with Robin Hood since the legend became a legend, but it hadn't been invented that century. That's okay. If it's part of the legend, it's part of the legend; but I resent inflation taking hold. Azeem (a Moor, who has no business here) has somehow got hold of the secret of gunpowder off the Chinese. He even knows how to synthesise the stuff from materials lying around in England. He carries a telescope as good as anything Galileo would come up with in the SIXTEENTH century. What next? An Aztec who can make methane-powered generators out of old drainpipes? The twelfth-century Indian inventor of silver nitrate photography? Besides, Azeem's inventions come across as clumsy plot devices. How will we get the heroes out of THIS pickle? I know! New technology! The `arrow-cam' shot is ludicrous, Azeem's `you saved my life, now I am your servant' schtick belongs in a sitcom, Alan Rickman's sheriff is possibly the hammiest villain I've seen in my life, the geography of Nottingham Forest is anyone's guess (it becomes Nottingham Field when the plot requires) - and, as a general verdict, most items of Robin Hood mythology are still there, but twisted ALMOST beyond recognition, into something hideous. Really, there's no one, overall fault; but I deeply loathe the whole. And I'm no purist. The OTHER `Robin Hood' released that year (outside America at, any rate), with Patrick Bergin in the title role, was even further removed from the world of Merrie Olde England, but I liked its honesty and consistency. There's no doubt that it was the better film. P.S.: This film started the trend of playing a modern pop song over the end credits of any film at all, regardless of its mood or musical score. It's a trend to be deplored.

This boorish, Americanized showboating of English legend is just plain embarrassing. Robin is somehow completely, unapologetically American, as is the entire mindset of this pathetic Costner vehicle. This was KC's last gasp, soon to be followed by other classics like Waterbomb, the Postman, and 3,000 Miles To Graceland...anybody even SEE those losers? The real death knell of this film lies in the obvious fact that no one connected with this film has any idea about the mythos behind it, and I suppose that extends to myopic fans who think this is such a "great job." It's not even a good movie; it is an exceptionally bad Robin Hood movie.

***MAY CONTAIN LITTLE SPOILERS*** I watched "The Prince of Thieves" once again two days ago and it is still one of the most brilliant movies ever made. Despite the fact the crew had so many obstacles while making the film. Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner) returns to England from his crusades with a Maori warrior Azeem (outstanding Morgan Freeman) and finds out that the evil sheriff of Nottingham (superb Alan Rickman) has taken over his fathers lands. From that one there begins a war to make a difference in sheriff's terrorizing Nottingham. Robin becomes Hood and he is fighting to give the good days back to the people as they deserve it. There is a little bit of everything in the film. There is adventures, excitement, romance, humor, action. Everything you could ever wish from the great, enjoyable film! If you liked "The Adventures of Robin Hood" starring by Errol Flynn you will also enjoy this timeless story about the man who stole from the rich and gave it to the poor! The film making was a struggle right from the start. The producers had some difficulties to hire a competent director to the job. Even the production manager and the other heads of department were hired before the director. There was a bit hurry to make "Prince of Thieves" because there was two other Robin Hood pictures coming. They were just like in a race. Then a man called Kevin Reynolds was hired to the job of directing. Then the production team was short of lead actor to play Robin. Other major parts Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman and Christian Slater were already in place. Robin Wright was replaced with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio to play Maid Marian because of Wright's pregnancy. Then there came Kevin Costner. He only signed up for the job because of Kevin Reynolds. After casting everybody the working team came across the difficulty of the lack of enough time. There was also some rough times between Costner and Reynolds. Even the guys had some disagreement the film opened in the year 1991 and managed to snatch a 25 million dollars at the opening weekend and was later going to bag 390 million dollars worldwide. Not bad if the production had some of bad critic and problems behind them. Obviously even Costner and Reynolds managed to put their hatred aside because later they teamed up in the flop "Waterworld" which was by the way then (1995) the most expensive movie in the world! (Whopping 175 million dollars spent) Even if the film contains some of the most disturbing mistakes in film making it does not effect on the result. So what if Robin's hair is suddenly turn from wet to dry and again back to wet it does not reflect to the essence of this marvelous piece of history. It is worth waiting the last scene where legendary Sean Connery makes an appearance as King Richard the Lionheart! (Connery donated his 400,000 dollar fee to charity) The legendary and undying ballad "Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams is the best movie theme song in the history of film making! Worth to watch with it's faults and all!

Eight hundred years ago, Richard the Lionheart led the third Great Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the Turks... Most of the young English noblemen who flocked to his banner never returned home... The film opens near Jerusalem in a terrible dungeon where Robin of Locksley is about to show the 'English' courage... Locksley manages to escape with a fellow prisoner, a Moor called Azeem, and flees home to England... On his arrival to Britain, the prodigal son finds dark forces plotting against his absent king... His father has been slain and his lands confiscated by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham... To evade Gisborn's soldiers, Locksley heads off to the supposedly haunted Sherwood Forest, where he takes his chance with ghosts, and where he is accosted by a band of outlaws... Like Burt Lancaster in 'The Flame and the Arrow,' Costner tries to lead the woodsmen in a revolt against injustice and tyranny, but misses the youthful exuberance and passion of Dardo... Costner looks handsome as the legendary Prince of Thieves who must use his mastery of archery, siege warfare, and combat strategy to rescue his beloved damsel... Morgan Freeman looks great as Azeem, the wizard with uncommon clarity of mind, who vows to repay Robin for saving his life... His knowledge of science is a surprising blow... Mary Elizabeth Manstrantonio is Robin's beautiful and clever companion whose love for the arrogant young nobleman led her to see him taking her advice in Sherwood Forest... Alan Rickman fluctuates between being a comic buffoon and a dangerous madman... He plays the Sheriff of Nottingham who has no limit to his ambitions... Christian Slater is the hot tempered 'turncoat' with enough reason to hate Robin than any one else... Geraldine McEwan is the ugly witch who saw the 'painted man' haunting her dreams... Michael McShane is the natural charisma who would not strike a fellowman of the cloth... In fact he will help him pack for his journey with lots of gold... Michael Wincott is the Sheriff's nefarious cousin who justifies his intrusion with news of profound value: 'I met a hooded man today who made me warn you not to harm his people.' Nick Brimble is the best man of the woods who challenges Robin for his sacred gold medallion... Walter Sparrow is the loyal servant to the Locksleys who has lost his vision by the Sheriff's own cruelty... Harold Innocent is the corrupt churchman who accuses innocent men of witchcraft and let them die... There are beautiful, breathtaking, and amusing scenes: Robin's father, dressed in his black battle armor on top his black stallion, preparing to battle the 'men in masks'; sweeping shots of the English countryside as Robin and Azeem escape Sir Guy of Gisborn and his soldiers; the bout with quarterstaves across a stream; plenty of flaming arrows flowing through the greenwood along with some exciting fighting; and like Burt Lancaster in "The Flame and the Arrow," who pauses in the middle of a frantic battle to plant a kiss on a kitchen maid, Alan Rickman plants his kiss on Maid Marian in the middle of his frantic duel with Costner... The majestic cameo (one of the best in epic movies) at the end of the film by a great, iconic figure, makes the movie just the right mix of adventure, humor, and romance...

Compare this story to Errol Flynn's Adventures Of Robin Hood and you see just liberal the movies became in the modern era. Once again, we see filmmakers with their heavy-hatred of Christianity showing again. In this PC version of "Hood," the Christian character is shown as the hypocrite, the cross being the sign of it while the Muslim is shown as the good guy, a wonderful example of goodness plus he has all the right answers. Who better to play the wise, calm intelligent alternative-to-Christian but Morgan Freeman as "Aziz." Funny, but I don't recall a Muslim in Robin Hood's band of merry men. Only in Hollywood where bigotry reigns supreme! Friar Tuck, of course, is seen as not only a drunk but a liar and a violent man. Each time he does something wrong, the camera zooms in on his cross!! Wow, what subtly. Kevin Costner, meanwhile, plays a much better baseball player or cowboy than he does a Robin Hood. His voice simply doesn't give him a presence of leadership deserving of a Robin Hood. On the plus side, the movie had some lush English scenery that was great to ogle. However, you can get that in the Flynn version, too.

I've seen several Medeval era films, but none of them are as fun to watch as Robin Hood-Prince of Thieves. This is one of thoser enjoyable movies that you are going to watch over and over. Okay, I'll admit that this movie is predictable. However its fun to watch even though you can figure out what is going to happen with the plot,after all who doesn't know the legend of Robin Hood anyway-Right! Lets face it- and Be honest, there are no surprises in the plot-you knew before you seen this film that he was going to steal from the rich and give to the poor, and he was going to be at war with the sherrif of Notingham. bit this film is just a fun joy-ride. the acting is just okay, and the costumes are over exageratted.- however this films gives you a good classic story, great stunts,very good action sequences, good specail effects,an excellent music score, and several scenes of comic relief. and its all packaged up as an action adventure that is Great Fun to watch. I own a copy of this film and I will watch it on average 2 or 3 times a year- this film never gets old to me. I recommend this film to any one between the ages of 8 years old to 80 years old - you're gonna love it.(If you liked this film also see a movie called "First Knight"-1995 an action adventure/love story about Sir. Lancelot of Camalot)I give Robin Hood-Prince of Thieves 5 out of 5 stars- A perfect film for your family, everyone in your household will love it-and so will you.

Robin Hood:Prince Of Thieves is an all-star rehash of one of cinema's oldest and most popular stories. Kevin Costner takes the title role and proves to be handsome enough and swashbuckling enough to do justice to the role during the action scenes. However, during the film's quieter moments, Costner's American accent grates a little amid the Sherwood Forest surroundings. The story doesn't particularly need explaining, but for people who have lived on Mars for their whole lives here it is. Robin of Locksley, a young soldier, returns from the Crusades to find the city of Nottingham and its surrounding area terrorised by the evil Sherrif of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). Robin takes refuge in the nearby Sherwood Forest, where he gathers a band of woodland outlaws who are always stealing money and treasure taken by the Sherrif and giving it back to the poor. His dashing antics impress Maid Marian (Mary Elisabeth Mastrantonio), a childhood friend, and he quickly becomes popular with the poor and honest folk who nickname him Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. The film is very old-fashioned, but it occasionally gives away its 1991 release status with modern touches (the fancy camera-work in which the camera is seemingly fixed upon an arrow as it is fired at a target; the introduction of a Moorish warrior character [Morgan Freeman] to broaden the film's cultural reference; Rickman's self-deprecating pantomimic turn as the wicked Sherrif). On the whole, it is an entertaining film with a good balance between the action and the romance. The best performance - surprisingly - comes from Michael Wincott who oozes menace as the Sherrif's despicable cousin Guy of Gisbourne. There are some quite significant factual errors, the best (by "best" I mean "funniest") of which is when Robin and his Moorish companion stand at the foot of the white cliffs of Dover and Robin tells him: "by nightfall we will dine with my father!" Quite a feat, since Nottinghamshire is about 200 miles away and this pair are travelling on foot!