Robin Hood Prince of Thieves

Let’s revisit Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Robin Hood is a name we learn at a young age. His story transpired time and became a classic tale and iconic character.

The Nostalgia Of The 1990s

In 1991, the movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, saw the big screen and created quite a wave with young ladies of the time, such as me.

I became captivated by the folktale of Robin Hood and wanted to know more about medieval times, its beauty and its terror.

So here is my review of the first movie that had me fall for early medieval times and gothic history.

Original 1991 Summary

Nobleman crusader, Robin of Locksley, played by the fantastic Kevin Costner, breaks out of a Jerusalem prison with the help of Moorish fellow prisoner Azeem, interpreted by the exceptional talent of Morgan Freeman and travels back home to England.

Then, upon arrival, he discovers his dead father in the ruins of his family estate, killed by the vicious Sheriff of Nottingham, acted by the late and beloved Alan Rickman.

Robin and Azeem join forces with outlaws Little John, played by Nick Brimble and Will Scarlett represented by Christian Slater, to save the kingdom from the Sheriff’s villainy.

Storyline

After being captured by Turks during the Crusades, Robin of Locksley and a Moor, Azeem, escape back to England, where Azeem vows to remain until he repays Robin for saving his life.

Meanwhile, Robin’s father, a nobleman loyal to King Richard the Lionhearted, has been murdered by the brutal Sheriff of Nottingham, who helped install Richard’s treacherous brother, Prince John, asking while Richard is overseas fighting the Crusades.

When Robin returns home, he vows to avenge his father’s death and restore Richard to the throne.

Even though Maid Marian, his childhood friend, cannot help him, he escapes to the Forest of Sherwood, where he joins a band of exiled villagers and becomes their leader. With their help, he attempts to cleanse the land of the evil that the Sheriff has spread.

— Written by Graeme Roy, IMDB

A Tale for Adults

When I first saw the movie, I was so young that my mother cut the first few scenes and started the movie when Robin was back home in England. So, let’s skip to the first time I saw the entire movie as a teen.

Robin, volunteering himself to have his hand cut off by a dungeon master instead of another war captive, had me almost barfed in my mouth at the time.

However, Robin found a way to create so much chaos in the dungeon that he found himself capable of freeing all men from the Turks and cutting off the hand of the executioner.

The Dark Ages Were Brutal

Other troubling scenes had me understand why my mother was hesitant to have me watch the movie at nine years old—thought it picked my curiosity about human history.

I couldn’t understand all that was going on; however, I developed a nerdy side for ancient times at a very young age.

The enjoyment of the sceneries and the clothing, the furniture and the simplicity of the time—that gave them the name, Dark Ages is exquisite.

So much so, I wanted to know if Robin Hood was real and if there was, in fact, such a hero that existed to save the people from famine, illnesses, and never-ending pain and sadness. I admired the hero that Robin Hood represented, and to this day, debates exist among historians to figure out the truth.

Thirty-One Years Later

I watched the movie not too long ago. My husband never liked it not because of the casting, of course, but because he maintains that Robin Hood’s tale was overdone, and he couldn’t stand the story on the screen again.

However, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves is the only proper representation of the hero that became a legend once back in the early Middle Ages.

The very thought of a man capable of standing against a greater evil, inspiring others strong enough to stand by his side, is necessary for humans to survive. Robin Hood represents justice, fairness and equality. Three words that to this day, we fight to keep honest.

The movie filmed in various places such as England and two towns in France was true to its time as an overall visual effect.

The scenery, always majestic and splendid, represented the feel of the time well. It almost felt as if you could smell the fresh air, the aroma of farm country with horses walking around and livestock.

I won’t lie, the visual of the movie is stunning, and this I say, even after thirty-one years.

The Attention To Detail

The clothing and artisanship behind all the details, from robes to jewelry and weaponry, were right on point. They portrayed the twelfth century quite well.

I believe the director and crew put much time and meticulous work in creating the perfect setting of the time was worth it.

The music composed by Michael Kamen is impeccable and unforgettable. It fits the period like a glove, soothes every scene of the movie with grace, and adds to every action posed by the actors.

The movie is two and a half hours of a pure gothic classic folktale, and I can say that it doesn’t seem that long when watching it.

Showing A Backstory And Depth

The story well-presented and exceptionally well thought of from the beginning is a delight. Every detail is meticulously present, and every scene is necessary to tell Robin Hood’s story.

Also, what is impressive, is that Prince of Thieves showcases the backstory of Robin of Locksley, overlooks Prince John and instead focuses on the rivalry between Locksley and the Sheriff. Perfect choice.

The story’s pacing is perfect; there’s time to adjust to every change and action taking place.

I still enjoy the subplots with Marian, her right-hand woman who is brave and, of course, other supporting characters that reveal quite charming while others are playing their roles well to be despised by the viewer.

Everything I Do I Do It For You

Of course, the classic and timeless song sung by Bryan Adams, Everything I Do, I Do It For You, is still to this day my favorite song of all time. It is my wedding song after all and that happened in 2017—just to say it still hold to this day.

Ever since I watched the movie for the first time, I promised myself it would be my wedding song, and two years ago, when the big day took place, it was.

The song was perfect and became an instant classic because of the movie.

The love between Robin Hood and Marian is quite palpable despite not entirely being the center of attention throughout the movie.

It represents the folklore so well that to this day, I believe it is a perfect tribute to the hero Robin Hood was and so Marian as she was a great help to her people too, defending orphans and protecting young girls to their adulthood.

Overall

To me, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is a solid 9.5 out of 10. It used to be one of my favorite movies of all time and, to this day, still stands. The performance of the cast was perfect.

I didn’t speak of Marian much either, but she is a heroine worthy of mention throughout the movie. She is a victim of forced marriage, close to facing rape in front of a corrupted priest ready to marry her to a man she hates, the Sheriff.

We also see the brave side of her, the fighter, when helping a woman give birth, protecting girls and women the best she can and working her land to help her people rely on her to survive.

The presence of Marian is more than one of a simple love interest. One can understand why a hero like Robin of Locksley would fall for a warrior like her.

Also, despite Kevin Costner failing the English accent after taking courses, he is still a great Robin Hood. The movie was a box office success, and for a great reason. It was an epic gothic early Middle Ages movie.

The OCD Android
Lexie Wayne