Few Hollywood actors are more maligned than the venerable Kevin Costner. Despite his status as an Oscar winner and lead roles in two of the best sports films of all time, he seems to be remembered much more for his misses than his hits. In 1991, on the heels of the astounding success of Dances with Wolves and before the twin big-budget disasters of Waterworld and The Postman, Costner and director Kevin Reynolds reimagined the Robin Hood myth for a new generation.
The Film
Though comparisons to the many previous screen versions, particularly 1976's Robin and Marian, are inevitable, screenwriters Pen Densham and John Watson have created an entirely unique, if somewhat limited, reinterpretation of the classic tale. Most notably, a fervent political correctness abounds.
The Crusades as the reason for King Richard's absence from England and their wrongness is brought to the forefront, even spelled out specifically several times to ensure the viewer understands that the English invasion into the Middle East was wrong. Morgan Freeman's character, Azeem, exists largely to show the superiority of Eastern technology and philosophy over Western. His frequent jabs at the backwardness of the English make the underlying and largely unseen Holy War easier for Christian audiences to stomach.
Feminism gets a surprising boost as well with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio's feisty and fully capable Maid Marian. Though Robin Hood still comes to her rescue in the film's final battle sequence, she more than holds her own with a sword earlier on, and she is every bit as headstrong and decisive as the title character himself.
This "updating" of the story detracts little from the tale, though a willing suspension of disbelief is required. Despite the pervasive anachronism, this is likely the most realistic version of the Robin Hood story ever filmed. The specificity of setting in time and place and the grittiness of the violence makes this more modern take stand apart from prior, far more campy interpretations.
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Article comments
1 - Michael Croft
2 - Scott Pepper
I wonder if there is *any* film that accurately portrays this era in English history.
And I agree that "Men in Tights" is an excellent send-up. The two films together make a decent double-feature.
3 - Chris Kent
Great review Scott. With all this talk about Robin Hood and reality, I suppose we should mention the British-made Robin Hood which came out the same year as Costner's/Reynolds' epic. It starred Patrick Bergin in the title role and was a revisionist take on the legend. Quite good if one is in the right mood, and superior to this film.
Adventure of Robin Hood was a bit too summer blockbusterish and very uneven. I loved Richman's portrayal, though considered it out of place in this mainly serious film. Costner was all wrong for the lead role and if memory serves, he and Reynolds battled constantly and had a falling out after this film - creative differences and all that. I believe Reynolds actually wanted his name removed from the film when the smoke had cleared......
4 - Scott Pepper
Oddly, Costner and Reynolds do not discuss any of the in-fighting in their joint commentary track (to my best recollection, anyway). It's mostly back-patting and self congratulation, though Costner does admit his English accent sucked.
5 - Chris Kent
Glad to hear they've mended the fence. They go back a long way, having made Fandango together early in their careers. And the arguments I mention may have happened on Waterworld, rather than Robin Hood....but I thought it was this film.
That being said, I have watched this film with kids before in a family atmosphere, and it really plays well in such a situation - as long as one does not have to explain the 8:00/8:15 reference, of course....:)
6 - Eric Olsen
my favorite Robin Hood is the Disney animated version you link to above: the characters are boiled down to their archetypcal essence, it's funny, the Roger Miller songs are entertaining, and it's even exciting. Ooo-da-lolly
7 - Chris Kent
Scott, I was wrong about Reynolds and Costner having a falling out on this film. It happened with Waterworld. My apologies.
8 - Scott Pepper
My wife is also a huge fan of the Disney version, which I have to agree holds up suprisingly better than any of the live action versions (with the possible exception of the 1922 Douglas Fairbanks silent film). If I recall correctly, it was also one of the last films that master animator Don Bluth worked on before leaving Disney, a fact alone that makes it worth watching.
9 - Eric Olsen
excellent review, BTW, thanks!