ROBIN HOOD
US, 1991, 116 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Bergin, Uma Thurman, Jurgen Prochnow, Edward Fox, Jeroen Krabbe, David Morrissey.
Directed by John Irvin.
Robin Hood was released at the same time as the Kevin Costner spectacular, Robin Hood, the Prince of Thieves. This is a more down to earth version of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. It gives us something of a more realistic picture of the times: the oppression of the Norman overlords, the arrogance of Prince John, the Saxons overtaxed and despised in their own land. Not that there isn't some tongue-in-cheek swashbuckling to enjoy (although Jurgen Prochnow as the dastardly Norman is a bit heavily Germanic and some of the dialogue is overly arch). But Patrick Bergen is a more credible Robin, though not having a great deal of charisma, and Uma Thurman (Dangerous Liaisons, Henry and June) is a more robust Marian. Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlett and the rest are there - although there is no Sheriff of Nottingham.
The audience is meant to cheer the Saxon rebels and their uprising in the 13th century - a contrast with the way traditional audiences are with similar uprisings in contemporary central America. Perhaps audiences need Robin Hood stories, not just to appreciate the past but to interpret the present.
In the supporting cast are Edward Fox as Prince John, Jeroen Krabbe as a vacillating Norman and the project was directed by John Irvin, whose films range from The Dogs of War to Turtle Diary.
1. The traditions of versions of the Robin Hood story - the Errol Flynn version, the popular movies and television series? The Kevin Costner version?
2. The work of John Irvin, an emphasis on realism, the dashes of swashbuckling and the blend of these styles? Legend and reality? The aim for relevance?
3. The settings, the opening with the dark forest, the forest itself, the mediaeval towns, the caves and the countryside, the home of the baron? The countryside, the aspects of pageantry? Action and stunt sequences? Editing and pace, the musical score?
4. The Saxon-Norman? settings, the prejudice against the Saxons, the oppression, the clash of culture? The darkness in the credits? The poacher and his pursuit? The night and the baron? Robin Hood and Will Scarlett and their defence of the miller poaching? The clashes of power? Alliances, justice? The friendship of the baron with Robin? The humiliation? In the court, the sentence for the lashing? Robin's reaction? Becoming outlaws? His meeting others in the forest? The taxes, the torturing of prisoners, the rebellion? The final reconciliation and justice to be done in England with Normans and Saxons?
5. Patrick Bergen's presence and style as Robin Hood? His friendship with Will Scarlett? Scarlett's influence and urging Robin to some justice, the defence of the miller, the clash, friendship with the baron and his origins as a pirate? In court, Robin's reaction, leaving, the fight, the escape from the castle, the forest encounter, Little John, Harry and his suspicions, the shooting of the arrow and Robin's skill? Fighting Little John at the bridge, the swimming and the drowning and the rescue? His being accepted by the group of exiles in the forest?
6. Life in the forest, the Saxons and their poverty, building up a community? The experiences of oppression? The attacks on the Normans? The encounter with Friar Tuck and his becoming part of the group? His story of the church, the raid on the abbey, the confrontation with the abbot and robbing him? The boys about to be hanged and their being rescued? The setting up of the trap with the knight? Marian's servant taking her place? The decision to give the money? The scenes of helping the poor? The fights and the battles? An atmosphere of realism?
7. The Norman knight (and his Teutonic style)? Arrogant, his encounter with Robin and the pursuit of the poacher? His friendship with Prince John? In court, the alliance with the baron? The engagement to Marian? His anger at Robin, his going on the hunt - and being trapped by Robin? The encounter with Prince John, justice to be done? The confrontation with Robin, the wedding, the fight - and his death? The Norman enemy?
8. The contrast with the baron, his soft light, pirate origins, friendship with Robin, trying to compromise, the sentence of the lash, Robin and the baron parting in anger? Marian as his niece, the proposed marriage? Her disappearance? The taxes for John, the cruel impositions? John's arrival and holding court? The confrontation with Robin Hood, his repentance and the reconciliation?
9. Marian, niece of the baron, her relationship with the knight and the engagement, her pouting at Robin, but tough, fascinated by him? The dress and the preparations for the wedding? Her escape, masquerade as a boy, serving Robin, warning him about the trap and the raid, the truth, the sexual relationship, her being captured, the preparations for the wedding, her faith in Robin - the final rescue and the heroics? Comparisons with the traditional picture of Maid Marian?
10. The merry men - Tuck, his size, religion, selling relics? Will Scarlett and his friendship with Robin, good advice? Little John and the others? Harry and the continued clashes, his betrayal, wanting the money, the torture?
11. The picture of the families, poverty, deaths and suffering, the uprising?
12. Prince John, his arrogance, his relationship with the Normans, the raising of the taxes and the cruel impositions, holding court? His young adviser and his demands on the Normans and the raising of the taxes?
13. Robin and the effect of life in Sherwood Forest on him, his beginning to understand the people, the move from a frivolous and wealthy young man to a hero? Strong, his skills, the fights? The trap? The final rescue - the cart, going into the castle, watching the wedding, the confrontation?
14. The encounter with the bow-maker, the Welshman, the bargains, his helping, making the long bows - and the uprising using them?
15. The build-up to the confrontation, the battles, the wedding, the duel?
16. The popular elements of movie making - with history and legend, made relevant for today?
