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 twenty years after Robin Hood's heroics against Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Since then, Robin (Sir 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 (Robert Shaw) and King John (Sir Ian Holm).

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Audrey Hepburn was convinced to take the role of Marian, in part, from the insistence of her sons. Once her young sons learned that Sir Sean Connery had been cast as Robin Hood, they begged their mother to take the part, so she could act with "James Bond". She happily complied.

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Goofs

Although the Romans had tried to grow vines as far north as Lincolnshire (east of Nottinghamshire), by the date of this story the vineyards could not have been as luxuriant and widespread as those Robin and John pass when they see Nottingham.

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Quotes

Maid Marian: Robin, I'd be 20 for you if I could.

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Connections

Featured in Sean Connery: A BAFTA Tribute (1990)

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Soundtracks

Dawn
(uncredited)
Music by Graham Garton
Lyrics by J.R. Heron

User Reviews

The most moving {if one of the least exciting} of Robin Hood films

One needs to say straight off the bat that if one wants lots of typical Robin Hood swashbuckling then one is better off seeing the Errol Flynn, Kevin Costner or one of the countless lesser films of Robin Hood. There is not much action here. However, the shortage of action is really quite appropriate to this particular film, which can be seen as a sequel to almost any other version you've seen. 'The Last Days Of Robin Hood' would have been as good a title as the one we have.

This being a Richard Lester film, there are plenty of humorous touches. Here, they seem somewhat out of place,as the general tone of the film is bittersweet. We have a Robin Hood who is aging and aware of it, yet still has to fill the role of a legendary hero. The film portrays even better than El Cid the passing of somebody into legend, and a sense of destiny- it's more important that Robin fulfill his than opt out and not have the risk of things ending sadly. Sean Connery never did change that accent, but he could be a superb actor at times, as indeed he is here. The supporting cast is a virtual Who's Who of fine British character actors of the time, but Robert Shaw stands out as the most menacing Sheriff Of Nottingham on film.

There is much in this film that is immensely touching, especially when Robin and Marian start resuming their romance which supposedly ended 18 years previously. David Watkin's gorgeous photography of the countryside is essential in giving the film it's autumnal quality. Despite the overly lengthy build up to it, the final Robin/Sheriff duel is well worth the wait, a really realistic, convincing brawl. The film is aided immensely by John Barry's music- his main theme is beautiful and deserves to be ranked among the more famous themes this great composer has written. One could easily find a more exciting and even more entertaining Robin Hood film than this, but probably not a more touching one.

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)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1