Robin and Marian (1976)

Robin Hood, aging none too gracefully, returns exhausted from the Crusades to woo and win Maid Marian one last time.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writer:

James Goldman

Stars:

Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Connery	...	Robin Hood
Audrey Hepburn	...	Maid Marian
Robert Shaw	...	Sheriff of Nottingham
Richard Harris	...	Richard the Lionheart / King Richard
Nicol Williamson	...	Little John
Denholm Elliott	...	Will Scarlett
Kenneth Haigh	...	Sir Ranulf
Ronnie Barker	...	Friar Tuck
Ian Holm	...	King John
Bill Maynard	...	Mercadier
Esmond Knight	...	Old Defender
Veronica Quilligan	...	Sister Mary
Peter Butterworth	...	Surgeon
John Barrett	...	Jack
Kenneth Cranham	...	Jack's Apprentice

Storyline

It is 20 years after Robin Hood's heroics against Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Since then Robin (played by Sean Connery) has spent all his time outside of England, fighting as Richard the Lionheart's right-hand man in the Crusades and in France. His only connection to his past life in Sherwood Forest is his faithful companion, Little John (Nicol Williamson). However, Richard the Lionheart is now dead and a war-weary, middle-aged Robin decides to return to England. His first priority: rekindle his relationship with Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn). However, if he figured on a peaceful life he didn't bargain on the machinations of the Sheriff of Nottingham and King John.

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Plot Keywords:

little john character | king john character | will scarlet character | the sheriff of nottingham character | king richard lionheart character | 

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Taglines:

Love is the greatest adventure of all.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Death of Robin

Filming Locations:

Artajona, Navarra, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was filmed under the title "The Death of Robin Hood".

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Goofs

The position and angle of the arrow that led to the death of Richard the Lionheart changes. When the arrow first struck Richard, it is near where the neck and shoulder meet and at an angle that indicates it was fired from high above, whilst in the scene shortly later when the 'doctor' is attempting to remove it, the arrow is lower and at right angles, as if it was fired at ground level.

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Quotes

Robin Hood: [to John] They reckon it's a good life to have reached 40. We're both past it, and look at us!

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Connections

Version of The Wonderful World of Disney: Princess of Thieves (2001)

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Soundtracks

Fight
(uncredited)
Written by Hans Schiller and Peter Ziegelmeier

User Reviews

A new telling of an age old classic.

Oh what a wonderful idea. A new telling of the Robin Hood legend with his merry men, Maid Marion, and the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham thrown in. The twist was that the characters were all older and starting to slow down and realize their youthful adventures were long past them. The core of the story is the bittersweet love story between the title characters.

The true core of the film and what makes it so special is the casting. Sean Connery plays Robin Hood as the hero we all know who is slowing down despite his attempts to keep going. Audrey Hepburn is perfect as Marian. She reminds us of her eternal beauty and how truly a good actress she was. This was her first theatrical film in 9 years and it's a shame she was so little seen in that time. Actually, she was little seen after that appearing only in a few more films and none that were very memorable. Nicol Williamson plays Robin's ever faithful right hand man still trying to fight the good fight and always remaining by Robin's side. And Robert Shaw plays the Sheriff in a role he was born to play. The final swordfight between him and Robin is a highlight.

Then we come to the ending. I won't give it away save to say that it's a good, albeit, very bittersweet ending. The point comes across in a way that Shakespeare may have written.

It's a sweet and sometimes exciting film that is most underrated and deserves to be seen.