Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

When Robin and his Moorish companion come to England and the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham, he decides to fight back as an outlaw.

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writers:

Pen Densham (story), Pen Densham (screenplay),

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Robin Hood
Morgan Freeman	...	Azeem
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Marian Dubois
Christian Slater	...	Will Scarlett
Alan Rickman	...	Sheriff George of Nottingham
Geraldine McEwan	...	Mortianna
Michael McShane	...	Friar Tuck (as Micheal McShane)
Brian Blessed	...	Lord Locksley
Michael Wincott	...	Guy of Gisborne
Nick Brimble	...	Little John
Soo Drouet	...	Fanny
Daniel Newman	...	Wulf
Daniel Peacock	...	Bull
Walter Sparrow	...	Duncan
Harold Innocent	...	Bishop of Hereford

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 has been murdered by the Sheriff of Nottingham and when Robin returns home he vows to avenge his father's death. Even though 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.

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Plot Keywords:

england | crusades | outlaw | forest | moors | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the only way to uphold justice...is to break the law.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robin Hood - König der Diebe

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$165,500,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Morgan Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min 155 min (extended edition)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Griffiths passed on the opportunity to play Friar Tuck.

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Goofs

In the battle with the Celts, Little John is fighting on the ground with Robin and Azeem. Yet, in the closing moments of the battle when the archers are driving the Celts off, Little John can be seen up in the trees with the other archers.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Prisoner: Show them the courage of Allah!

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Crazy Credits

All initial copies of the original 1991 UK 'PG' Video had the full promo video for Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" played underneath the credits at the end of the film.

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Connections

Referenced in QI: Everything (2007)

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Soundtracks

" (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU"
Performed by Bryan Adams
Courtesy of A&M Records
Produced by Robert John Lange (as Mutt Lange)
Written by Michael Kamen (as M. Kamen), Bryan Adams (as B. Adams) and Robert John Lange (as R.J. Lange)

User Reviews

Entertaining, despite it all

The summer of 1991 was a lousy one for movies; there were only a few that stood out amid dozens of crummy releases. The only movies that summer that I admired were 'Terminator 2,' 'Thelma & Louise,' and this one, which still stands as one of the most entertaining action-adventure movies I've seen.

No, it isn't a masterpiece, on any level. Yes, I realize that Kevin Costner lacks a satisfactory British accent (he doesn't even attempt one). But the movie is still a fun, rip-roaring piece of escapism, sort of like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' only without the special effects.

Costner may seem miscast as Robin of Locksley, but there's no doubt that he had the physicality and screen presence to convincingly hold our attention as a larger-than-life hero. He'd just come off 'Dances With Wolves,' and so it was a thrill to see him on horseback again (it still is, in 'Open Range'). I'm willing to concede that he's no Olivier, but in the action hero mold, he still cut an exciting figure.

I also enjoyed Alan Rickman's great, over-the-top portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Out of place? You betcha. Fun? Funny? Wicked? Hey, that's why we pay admission.

The sets are all dank and gloomy and wonderful. The action is well-staged and had audiences on their feet all those years ago. Sherwood Forest is appropriately dense and spooky-looking. OK, so the movie has Christian Slater in it. I didn't say it was perfect.

'Robin Hood' marked the beginning of the end of Kevin Costner's unanimous popularity with audiences. Everyone started playing the part of Hollywood bean-counter and worrying about 'Waterworld's' budget. But you know what I like about both these movies? No CGI. I am sick and tired of CGI movies. Popping the deluxe 'Robin Hood' DVD into the old player is a refreshing treat and a thumb in the eye of digital junk like 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'