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:

tragedy | death of protagonist | sheriff | england | king | 

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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 Return of Robin Hood

Filming Locations:

Artajona, Navarra, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,720,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second time Audrey Hepburn plays a nun, the first one being "The nun's story", directed by Fred Zinneman.

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Goofs

When the coast and ocean are visible, there are modern boats off shore.

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Quotes

Sheriff of Nottingham: Robin, you're still a free man. Let me have her and you can go.
Robin Hood: You know I can't do that.
Sheriff of Nottingham: Well, then, I shall have to hunt you down.
Robin Hood: Good hunting, Sheriff.
Sheriff of Nottingham: God help you, Robin.
Robin Hood: If He will.
[rides away]
Sir Ranulf: [recovering from a kick in the groin] So that's Robin Hood. He's a dead man.
Sheriff of Nottingham: Yes... but not just anyone's. He's mine. Can you get on your horse, Sir Ranulf?

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Connections

Version of Robin Hood: Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (1984)

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Soundtracks

Sherwood Forest Song with Lute
(uncredited)
Music by Richard Lester
Lyrics by James Goldman

User Reviews

A good, inspiring movie, about the true nature of heroism

Most people are unaware of this movie's existence, despite an all-star cast. It is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Robin Hood is an old man now, trying to tie together some of the pieces of his ideals. The familiar characters are also still around.

The most interesting thing about the movie is the insights it offers into the nature of heroism. Robin and the merry men were heroes because of what they believed in and their courage, not because they could shoot the straightest and run the fastest.

The gang can't jump fences or climb walls any more, or do much of anything that requires physical exertion. Their efforts are sometimes comical. But they are still great men because of what is inside of them.

Audrey Hepburn is wonderful as the aging Marian, and look for the visual poetry of the three apples which are pictured in the opening as ripe and in the ending as withered, as are Rob and Johnny and Marian. There are many such metaphorical presentations which are not often seen in movies. I like to see a little of that visual poetry, even if it is a bit clumsy.

Not a great film ... not a Grand Illusion or anything, but just a nice execution of a simple, touching concept.