Robin Hood (1991) Reviews

• The best modern Robin Hood out there.

  drrap2002-08-21

  Everyone knows that Costner's Hood was a bomb, but too few people have seen this superior version, shown on TV and then perversely released only on VHS by Fox. Patrick Bergin is spot-on as a darkly-mooded Robin, and the backstory on his loss of rank and property is both historically plausible and dramatically effective -- a welcome change from other film versions. The tensions between native Saxon and invading Norman are also accurately portrayed, as exemplifed by Robin's vexed friendship with the new Norman landlord (a great performance by Jürgen Prochnow). The supporting case is excellent, particularly Uma Thurman as a liberated Maid Marian -- handy with a broadsword -- and Jeff Nuttall as the best Friar Tuck I've ever seen. The way in which Tuck gives a benediction to one of the Normans even as his calmly breaks his neck has to be seen to be believed. If there is any justice for Robin Hood in the 21st century, Fox ought to bring this version out on DVD. Its moody colorations, dank forests, and dour yet Merry Men would surely shine through.

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• The True Prince of Thieves

  Shield-32000-09-18

  This is the movie that should have been in the theaters in the summer of 1991, not Kevin Costner's bloated monstrosity. This "Robin Hood" gives us a fine new twist to the legend, transporting us to a new world. The highly underrated Patrick Bergin makes a fine Robin Hood, a worthy successor to Errol Flynn -- he is a flawed man (when it comes down to it, it is his pride that gets him outlawed), but still noble and heroic. Uma Thurman is a dream as Marian, and the rest of the cast slip comfortably into their roles. But the thing I really love out this movie is the way the villain, Falconet, meets his end. When you watch enough movies, you grow to appreciate a really dramatic, over-the-top death scene, and this is it. Falconet dies by the same method as the Sheriff in "Prince of Thieves," but his death is so much more dramatic and memorable than the Sheriff's, so much more... fitting, I suppose. If you get a chance, this is the Robin Hood movie to see (assuming you've already seen "Adventures of Robin Hood", of course.)

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• Robin Hood (1991): Very historically accurate and well done English film

  Heimdal_882006-01-15

  Yet another version of the classic epic, but done from such a different perspective and with enough accuracy and authenticity that you'll think you are seeing this story for the very first time... The story line is pretty much the same, of course, as those numerous versions before it, but is told from a more realistic and authentic English point of view... This version focuses on the Norman - Saxon struggle at that time in history and that is the pervasive influence throughout this superb motion picture.... Most of the characters are quite different from those you've come to expect from the afore-telling of this story, in particular Uma Thurman's very special Maid Marian and Patrick Bergen's unique and coup d'etat performance in the title role... The cinematography is outstanding, giving the story a somewhat darker but more realistic tone and feel, and the direction is about as flawless as I have seen in this type historically-based film... Unfortunately, this film was conceived and distributed around the same time as the AWFUL Kevin Costner version and consequently was swept aside by that highly marketed but substantially inferior 'Hollywood' version released in the same year and about the same time... It is really a tragedy too, because this is possibly the most authentic and well-made version of the Robin Hood story made to date... One can only imagine what a masterpiece this film would had been if the circumstances surrounding its release had been different... It was said in the print media that when the English producers of this film learned Hollywood was producing a similar movie on the same subject, they pared their losses, and opted for this final product that even with a lower budget than originally planned, is a MUCH better and more accurate re-telling of the classic Sir Robert Hode, 4th Earl of Huntington (a real person) legend... Well written and adapted for the screen, expertly cast, and superbly directed by English director John Irvin, this relatively low budget production has never received the accolades it deserves... Look for some stellar performances by Uma Thurman as Maid Marian, Patrick Bergin as Robin Hood, Jürgen Prochnow as Sir Miles Folcanet, Owen Teale as Will Scarlett and an unforgettable performance by Dutch actor Jeroen Krabbe as Baron Roger Daguerre...Also worthy of mention was a brief but commanding performance by Edward Fox as Prince John, and memorable performances by David Morrissey as Little John and Carolyn Backhouse as Nicole, Roger's Mistress... If you have seen the "Hollywood formula", American version of this story with Kevin Costner, but not this one, or if you have seen neither, do yourself a tremendous favor and see this film.... This movie will transport you back to another time and place, to see an accurate glimpse of medieval history come alive on film... Not to be missed by students of Medieval history or those curious about their European ancestry and origins... A film that is a rare hidden treasure and is very worthwhile seeking out and seeing... Outstanding...

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• Anybody know how to get the 116-minute version?

  conscomm2006-06-17

  I've described this commentary as having a spoiler, just to be on the safe side. Having just bought the double-sided, full-screen/wide-screen version that is 103 minutes long, and being silly enough to get day-to-day inspiration from the ideal of Robin Hood, I wanted to encourage you all to try to find a copy of "Robin Hood," as it was originally broadcast on the fairandbalanced Fox network, in '91 (or was it '92?)--and see if anyone knows where to buy a copy of the longer original. When it was first shown, I video-taped the broadcast just off an antenna with crummy reception, assuming I'd be able to buy it, eventually. But, it seems the next time they broadcast it and by the time they started selling it, some nice, slightly rude, but merry, vignettes had been cut. I could see why Fox would do it with the televised versions, as a way to get more commercials into a two-hour program; but, why they did not restore the original scenes in the wide-screen version, I cannot imagine. For an archery buff, "Robin Hood" gives some glimpses of one of the few weapons that helped make the little people a force that could not be dismissed or so easily oppressed. Robin's shooting a wand is as real a portrayal of archery as it gets. There's an odd bit of archery silliness when Emlyn's bow plows an arrow through a Norman helm, i. e., I'm pretty sure the arrow tip is a game tip, rather than the "pile," three-sided wedge used to pierce armor. For the broad sword buff: "Robin Hood"'s sword play is anything but serious. Compared to, for example, the final fight in "Prince Valiant," between James Mason and Robert Wagner, no one in "Robin Hood" seems to be trying to hit each other. You might note that, as in almost every good guy vs bad guy sword-fight to the death, the good guy wins by stabbing from a low line of attack--a fairly stupid line of attack and somewhat unknightly, I suggest. Some of the archery goofs and sword-play lameness, might have dimmed the final product for me, were it not for the fulsome humanity of this "Robin Hood." The wit, the merriness, the musical score, the politics and the texture of the characters makes this film somewhat more real and warm than other versions that revolve around the more heroic Robin Hoods. Within the few extra minutes of the original broadcast, there is a surprisingly amount of the humanity that helps make Robin Hood the heroic ideal that inspires almost everyone faced by travails visited upon them by this or that sheriff-wannabe. S'il vous plait, I recommend you get your hands on the longer version; and, if you do, I very much recommend you email me with where it can be had. Thanks; and, here's to a strong draw and a fair aim.

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• The best Robin Hood yet filmed...

  Rhymer-22001-02-02

  Robin Hood has come to the big screen in many ways and with many faces. Errol Flynn in 1938 remains the classic, although it is a little dated by modern standards. Kevin Costner starred in a big-budget 1991 version, notable for an outstanding Alan Rickman as an over-the-top sheriff but otherwise fairly forgettable. (If you're lucky.) I've seen most of them, and the best by far is Robin Hood, directed by John Irvin and likewise released in 1991. Patrick Bergin is a dynamic Robin Hood, hitting the mark with the perfect mix of arrogance, compassion, charm and devil-may-care, hell-bent glory-seeking. Sure, there's a list of noble reasons why Robin Hood takes to the forest to fight Norman oppression and protect the unfortunate Saxon serfs from tyranny. But let's face it, Robin is a hero who enjoys what he does. He loves nothing more than laughing at danger and tweaking the nose of authority. It's easy to see that Bergin enjoyed the part, and his pleasure translates to the screen, making it an enjoyable romp for viewers. Bergin shares Sherwood with a fine cast. Uma Thurman is a surprisingly strong Marian. Owen Teale is an excellent, fun-loving Will Scarlett, and David Morrissey is the best Little John I've seen yet. Jeff Nuttall is also a picture-perfect Friar Tuck. On the Norman side, Jurgen Prochnow is the malicious knight, Sir Miles Folcanet, who pursues Robin through the forest, and Jeroen Krabbe is Baron Daguerre, a greedy lord with a conscience. There's a brief, but impressive, appearance of Edward Fox as the would-be King John. The movie boasts excellent swordplay, good costuming, authentic-sounding accents (Are you listening, Kevin?) and some great pagan symbolism. This film also has immense respect for the history behind the legend. While we may not know much about the real Robin Hood -- if there even was one -- we do know a lot about the time period in question, and Irvin keeps his cameras focused on the truth of feudal Britain. This is a Robin Hood I can believe in without reservation.

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