Robin Hood

Everyone knows that Costner's Hood was a bomb, but too few people have seen this superior version, shown on TV and then perversely released only on VHS by Fox. Patrick Bergin is spot-on as a darkly-mooded Robin, and the backstory on his loss of rank and property is both historically plausible and dramatically effective -- a welcome change from other film versions. The tensions between native Saxon and invading Norman are also accurately portrayed, as exemplifed by Robin's vexed friendship with the new Norman landlord (a great performance by Jürgen Prochnow). The supporting case is excellent, particularly Uma Thurman as a liberated Maid Marian -- handy with a broadsword -- and Jeff Nuttall as the best Friar Tuck I've ever seen. The way in which Tuck gives a benediction to one of the Normans even as his calmly breaks his neck has to be seen to be believed. If there is any justice for Robin Hood in the 21st century, Fox ought to bring this version out on DVD. Its moody colorations, dank forests, and dour yet Merry Men would surely shine through.