Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

A spoof of Robin Hood in general, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) in particular.

Director:

Mel Brooks

Writers:

J.D. Shapiro (story) (as J. David Shapiro), Evan Chandler (story)

Stars:

Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Roger Rees

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cary Elwes	...	Robin Hood
Richard Lewis	...	Prince John
Roger Rees	...	Sheriff of Rottingham
Amy Yasbeck	...	Marian
Mark Blankfield	...	Blinkin
Dave Chappelle	...	Ahchoo
Isaac Hayes	...	Asneeze
Megan Cavanagh	...	Broomhilde
Eric Allan Kramer	...	Little John
Matthew Porretta	...	Will Scarlet O'Hara
Tracey Ullman	...	Latrine
Patrick Stewart	...	King Richard
Dom DeLuise	...	Don Giovanni
Dick Van Patten	...	The Abbot
Robert Ridgely	...	The Hangman

Storyline

Robin of Locksley, known as the most skilled archer of the land, has just returned to England after fighting in the Holy Crusades, where King Richard the Lionheart is also fighting. Robin finds that much of what he knew of England has gone to ruin, including his longtime family home having been taken away, all at the hands of the evil Prince John, Richard's brother who has assumed the throne in Richard's absence. Neurotic John is basically being controlled by the equally evil Sheriff of Rottingham, everything they do to fatten their own coffers at the expense of the commoners and peasants. As such, Robin recruits a band of merry men to help him battle Prince John and the Sheriff, they, who include: Blinkin, his blind longtime servant; Ahchoo, the misguided son of Asneeze, the man who helped him escape from prison while fighting in the Crusades; Little John, who seems to think that being called Little is only coincidental to the fact of he being a hulking man; and Little John's friend,...

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Plot Keywords:

spoof | rabbi | castle | king | sheriff | 

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Taglines:

The Legend Had It Coming...

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for off-color humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrick Stewart plays King Richard talking in a thick Scottish accent, a reference to Sean Connery's performance in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). Some critics found Connery's accent inappropriate for the role, since King Richard would not have spoken with a Scottish burr (thus providing comedic fodder for Mel Brooks). Technically, an English accent would have been no more appropriate than Connery's Scottish accent, and a French accent would have been best for Richard (and any other nobles of the time, possibly including Robin), as "English" did not yet exist as a language, and English nobles spoke Anglo-Norman, a dialect of Old French, while the common folk spoke Old English, an Anglo-Frisian tongue that has more in common with Old Norse than with Modern English.

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Goofs

During the "Men in Tights" song and dance number at the lyrics: '...We roam around the forest looking for fights...', Dave Chappelle (Ahchoo) makes a minor mistake in choreography by raising his right-hand to his forehead instead of his left-hand, and then makes a quick switch to correct his mistake.

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Quotes

Ahchoo: [Standing by a creek as Robin is about to fight Little John to cross the bridge] Look, Robin, you don't have to do this. I mean, this ain't exactly the Mississipi. I'm on one side, I'm on the other side. I'm on the east bank, I'm on the west bank. It's not that critical.
Robin Hood: It's the principal of the thing.
Ahchoo: Nice knowing you.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits appear after shooting fire arrows. At the end of the credits the arrows are flying into village houses and setting them on fire.

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Connections

Spoofs The Duellists (1977)

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Soundtracks

Can-Can (overture to Orphée aux Enfers)
(uncredited)
Written by Jacques Offenbach

User Reviews

Absolutely hilarious

After I've seen this movie I find it hard to understand why so many people seem to hate this movie. I'm not saying it belongs in the top 250 of all times, but in it's genre it is a great movie. I know, not many people find it amusing to see how a legendary story like 'Robin Hood' is turned into a comedy. Many people still seem to believe that some things shouldn't be laughed with ... they are wrong.

Mel Brooks has done an excellent job with Robin Hood: Men in Tights. I have seen the original Robin Hood movies as well, but I never had such a good time when watching them as I had with this one. It's just one continuation of hilarious moments and parodies on famous people and movies (Winston Churchil, The Godfather...).

I recommend everyone who wants to have a good laugh to watch this movie. To those who think Robin Hood shouldn't be messed with, you're wrong, but you better don't watch it because you'll probably be offended by it. I give this movie an 8/10.

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robbin' the Hood

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,841,830, 1 August 1993

Gross USA:

$35,739,755

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,739,755

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brooksfilms, Gaumont

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1