As Ridley Scott prepares to bring Robin Hood back to cinemas, Movies.ie looks at five favourite Robin Hoods
Robin of Loxley has had many incarnations on the big and little screen but his trademark Lincoln green clothes, his charming wit and his band of merry men. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, was only one of his talents, he also lived in Outer Space and was pretty good at slapstick comedy.
With the launch of Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’, Movies.ie brings you some of Robin’s most famous appearances and the men who’ve donned the green tights.
Robin Hood – Douglas Fairbanks
The famous swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks traded in his cutlass and high-sea adventures for a bow and arrow and the lush green hills of Nottingham. The silent movie, made in 1922, was the first film to have a Hollywood premiere, and cost almost a million dollars to make. Fairbank’s Robin attempts to foil the plans of the dastardly Prince John while restoring justice under the banner of King Richard.
Rocket Robin Hood – Ed McNamara
“Come gather around me. Space travelers surround me. Hark now to the ballad of Rocket Robin Hood. I may well confound you, astound you, spellbound you, with heroes and villains, the bad and the good” – you really can’t make this stuff up! Rocket Robin Hood is an animated Canadian television show made in 1966. Voiced by Ed McNamara, Rocket Robin attempts to thwart the evil deeds of the Sheriff and Prince John and bring peace to New Sherwood Forest Asteroid. The series has a successful three year run until it finally ended in 1969.
Disney’s Robin Hood – Brian Bedford
Probably the most famous and widely recognised animated version of the tale of Robin Hood, Disney’s classic interpretation was released in 1973. Animated critters are cast as the people of Nottingham, the sly Fox dons the green garb of Robin while the cowardly takes the robes of Prince John. The story follows the adventures of the charismatic thief as he runs havoc for the Prince and his band of soldiers, stealing from and returning the gold to the poor people of the sleepy town. Robins eyes are quickly drawn to those of the beautiful Maid Marian and love blossoms but when Prince John springs a trap and captures Robin, it is up to his band of merry woodland animals to help rescue him and finally defeat the corrupt Prince John.
It received a nomination for Best Song in 1973 Academy Awards.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – Kevin Costner
Anyone with a television will have seen Kevin Costner’s performance as the hero of Nottingham. With a soundtrack that’s almost as unforgettable as the film itself, Prince of Thieves has found it’s way onto the shelves of many dvd collections. With an all star cast including, Costner, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman and Sean Connery, the film follows a downtrodden Robin desperately trying to find some meaning in his life. While escaping from a prison Robin vows to protect the life of a young woman called Marian and so makes his return to England accompanied by Azeem (Freeman). On arriving home in England Robin discovers his father has been murdered and the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham is ruling over the lands. Remember his vow to his fallen comrade and with nothing but revenge on his mind Robin begins to wage a war on the Sheriff and finds himself in love with the woman he swore to protect.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights – Cary Elwes
Slapstick galore in Mel Brooks’ retelling of the classic British legend. Men in Tights is a spoof of all past Robin Hood movies and it loosely follows the plot of Prince of Thieves. When Robin returns to England he finds Prince John has taken over control of the country and is abusing his power, after reuniting himself with Blink, Will Scarlet O’ Hara, Little John and Achoo, Robin and his band of thieves begin their plan to take down the evil regime and restore King Richard (Patrick Stewart) to the throne on his return. However Robin soon finds himself in love with the beautiful Maid Marian and despite numerous attempts by her hand Maiden to thwart their courting he finds himself in love with the buxom beauty which only further enrages the Prince and forces him to hire Don Giovanni to assassinate Robin and his men. Nottingham and Sherwood Forest become a place of laughter and comical gags as Mel Brooks turns the legend on its head.