Russell Crowe as Robin Hood

[parthianbow]

Whey-HEY!!! He's teamed up with Ridley Scott again. No green tights or Mr. Nice Guy here, and no sticking to stuff running around in the forest, fighting Little John with staves. This film is full of gore, and about what was going on in the wider world at the time. It promises to be excellent. Even better, Scott is already planning a sequel. :D:D:D

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article7082802.ece

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSqL9ygBCck

I can't wait!! Historical inaccuracies aside, because no doubt there will be some, this IMHO, will be one of the cinematic highlights of 2010! Roll on May 14th in the UK. The babysitter is already booked.

*waits for chorus of disapproval*

[Susan]

It has to be better than the one with Kevin Costner!

[parthianbow]

Indeed!! Anything's better than that. Unfortunately, my wife and her sisters have a thing about the Costner film, having had a crush on him at the time it came out. Not only do they know the entire cringeworthy script, but they quote it at each other all the time, and want to watch it every time it's on TV. :( :rolleyes:

[N. Gemini Sasson]

I think Russel Crowe in the right role works very well and if you're going for a gruffer, blood-and-guts, antihero type of Robin Hood, he's the man. I'm looking forward to seeing it!

[Susan]

Indeed!! Anything's better than that. Unfortunately, my wife and her sisters have a thing about the Costner film, having had a crush on him at the time it came out. Not only do they know the entire cringeworthy script, but they quote it at each other all the time, and want to watch it every time it's on TV. :( :rolleyes:

I am cringing just reading about it! I must say I'd rather watch Errol Flynn's version over Costner's any day, even if he was wearing green tights! Some trivia: Olivia de Havilland, who played Marian and who is still alive, rode Trigger, the horse that later became Roy Rogers' horse. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were both influenced by the Flynn film.

[chuck]

Only thing I enjoyed in Costner's RH.....was Alan Rickman's brilliant OTT portrayal of the High Sheriff......BTW I saw a trailer on the new RH film where it looks like Miad Marian, Cate Blanchet, is strapping on Armour...Huh?....And no it was'nt the Elizabethan Armada scene

[robinbird79]

I, too, am looking forward to the new Robin Hood movie (and the movie about King John as well, Ironclad). It looks to be an interesting take on the story.

I have to admit that I am a fan of Costner's Robin Hood. I know the script was poor and the history presented not very accurate, but I like it. And I love Alan Rickman in anything. :)

[Jemidar]

Thanks for the link for the clip Ben :). It looks great! I might even have to make one of my rare trips to the cinema for this one.

Hated the Kevin Costner RH, but did like the one that came out around the same time with Patrick Bergin as Robin. I think I was the only one though :p.

[donroc]

Hope they do not conflate Prince John with Caligula. :rolleyes:

[ejays17]

Thanks for the link for the clip Ben :). It looks great! I might even have to make one of my rare trips to the cinema for this one.

Hated the Kevin Costner RH, but did like the one that came out around the same time with Patrick Bergin as Robin. I think I was the only one though :p.


Nope, not the only one - although hardly anyone knows about the Patrick Bergin one :rolleyes:. Much preferred it, although I can't find a copy on DVD anywhere at a decent price (I need it to complete my Robin Hood collection)
The best part of the Kevin Costner film was Alan Rickman, without a doubt!

[parthianbow]

No, indeed - I loved the Patrick Bergin film too. (Not that I'm biased, because he's Irish!)

[Madeleine]

Yep, I agree that the KC version is saved by Alan Rickman - I like it as a great comfort movie. I did try to watch the Bergin version but sadly was bored stiff and gave up on it. I wonder what's happened to Patrick Bergin, he seems to have vanished!

[chuck]

I just hope they have tried to portray Robin Hood, the Sheriff, Prince John, Marion, Richard the Lionheart and the rest of the cast as close to legend and the times....And hopefully a little background in RH's family and the Locksley connection would be interesting.....BTW I would like to see the Normans speak French/subtitles in some scenes and even some Saxon speak/subtitles....especially when Normans/Saxons are conversing among themselves....For it me would add authenticity(dislike spoken English with accents to distinguish languages differences)...I realize it will never happen...

[princess garnet]

Has anyone seen the comical take of Robin Hood by Mel Brooks?

[SarahWoodbury]

Men in Tights? I have a friend who loves it (loved the Patrick Stewart cameo), but I thought the joke wore off after a while. My children saw the KC one and laughed so hard--somehow we got the extended edition, which is worth the money if only for those cut scenes.

I'm worried about the Ridley Scott movie, though. I'll probably have to see it because I'm a sucker for anything historical (of course) and I did love Kingdom of Heaven, but the violence . . . . sometimes less is more, but RS definitely doesn't think so.

[Sharz]

I loved the Costner movie (although I didn't love Costner in it), but I have to plead that I knew virtually nothing of the history at the time. Truely. I wasn't even aware that Connery was WAAAAAAY too old for the Lionheart cameo.

[donroc]

No one has mentioned the Richard Todd version from the 1950s, from Disney I believe. And there was a TV series as well. At the time, I of course did not believe it measured up to the Flynn film.

As an aside, when I was 11 in the summer of 1943 and visiting in L.A., I saw Eugene Palette (Friar Tuck) in the passenger seat of a car on Hollywood Blvd across from Grauman's. He wore a sleeveless undershirt -- gruff but kind and signed an autograph.

[Susan]

No one has mentioned the Richard Todd version from the 1950s, from Disney I believe. And there was a TV series as well. At the time, I of course did not believe it measured up to the Flynn film..

Don, was this the series that had the theme song, "Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with his band of men." I think I was too young to understand the series, but I still have that song in my head. At the time I live in the Bronx in New York City, so I wondered what a glen was.

The Flynn version is hokey, but I still like watching him in it!

[EC2]

Regia Anglorum (and self with cooking pot) will be at Nottingham Castle promoting this at various dates in May. They're having an exhibition of the costumes at the castle and hopefully Regia members will get in to see it free if we're in kit!
I am rather dreading what they are going to do to the character of William Marshal though! (peeps through fingers)

Ironclad: William Marshal's supposedly in that too. But he was never at the siege of Rochester and he was on King John's side anyway, and he wasn't a Templar then, so I don't think I'm going to be able to watch any of it.

[donroc]

Gee, thanks Susan. I thought I had at last forgotten that tune, which rode through my head for too long. :o

[annis]

Gven the current passion for Templars, i'm surprised that no one's had a go at re-doing "Ivanhoe".

[Anna Elliott]

Men in Tights? I have a friend who loves it (loved the Patrick Stewart cameo), but I thought the joke wore off after a while.

Yes, but the movie is worth it for the "Blinkin, what are you doing up there?" "Guessing, Sir" "Guessing?" "I guess no one's coming." scene. I can't even count the number of times my husband has quoted that to me!

[Anna Elliott]

Gven the current passion for Templars, i'm surprised that no one's had a go at re-doing "Ivanhoe".

Have you seen the version with Elizabeth Taylor? I remember watching it in fifth grade when we were studying the time period.

[Susan]

Gee, thanks Susan. I thought I had at last forgotten that tune, which rode through my head for too long. :o

On no, that's one of those unforgettable ditties like the themes from Gilligan's Island and The Beverly Hillbillies.

I found it on You Tube...it's only 22 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vFL-lcxkYk

[Susan]

And there was a TV series as well. At the time, I of course did not believe it measured up to the Flynn film.

Apparently the series from the 1950s was British and aired in both the UK and US. Quite a number of notable actors appeared in minor roles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Robin_Hood_%28TV_series%29

[Muse in the Fog]

I am cringing just reading about it! I must say I'd rather watch Errol Flynn's version over Costner's any day, even if he was wearing green tights! Some trivia: Olivia de Havilland, who played Marian and who is still alive, rode Trigger, the horse that later became Roy Rogers' horse. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were both influenced by the Flynn film.

Me too! I will always be partial to Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone :D It is one of my favorite movies!

Aside from my views of the 1938 version, I do think this new one looks promising for those who want a truer experience of the times back then. And I agree that it will prob be better then the Costner one.

A sequel already? It will be interesting to see where it takes us.

[Muse in the Fog]

Gven the current passion for Templars, i'm surprised that no one's had a go at re-doing "Ivanhoe".

That is very true! Hmmm...I am sure it wont be to far away.

[chuck]

Gven the current passion for Templars, i'm surprised that no one's had a go at re-doing "Ivanhoe".

annis ..I agree "Ivanhoe" needs a Redux....It has a number of interesting subplots that need to be "Fleshed Out".....Norman/Saxons conflict, The Templars, Religious/Bigotry, Prince John, Robin Hood and Richard the 1st....I've seen three "Ivanhoe" films....some were better than others....overall pretty disappointing attempts....Sam Neil's role as the conflicted Templar de Bois-Guilbert, was above average......p.s I think a couple of them were made for TV.....

[Eigon]

I collect Robin Hood films - and the ones that aren't in my collection are Men in Tights, which was just too silly (though Rabbi Tuchman was a good idea), and Kevin Costner, which was just - well, the good bit was Alan Rickman being a pantomime baddy.

Errol Flynn is my favourite ever Robin, but a close second is Richard Greene.
I love the 1950s series - and now I'm watching it again on DVD I'm realising where a lot of my ideas about history came from originally! They did their research - the episode where Prince John attempts to marry Isobel of Angouleme (who has an outrageous French accent!) is great fun, and Prince Arthur of Brittany with his mother Duchess Constance turn up in one episode, too, and other episodes are structured around real medieval laws.
The costumes were all over the place - the Sheriff had a lovely wardrobe of Renaissance doublets - and it's fun, too, watching how they used the same guest star in two or three different roles over several weeks. No video then, so I'm sure they thought no-one would notice when last week's goodie became this week's baddie with a false beard, or when Derwent the outlaw turned up as the Sheriff's monk-secretary!
It's also fun to see actors like Paul Eddington (later famous for The Good Life), who started off as Second Peasant and worked his way up to being the wicked Count who had a duel with Robin.

At the moment I'm looking out, possibly in vain, for any trace of Patrick Troughton's turn as the great outlaw, though the episodes went out live and often weren't recorded at all. (He later became the second Doctor Who, of course).

I've seen the trailer for the Russell Crowe version, and it's hard to know what to make of it yet.

[Kate Quinn]

There is an excellent 6-part miniseries of Ivanhoe that does a great job - it is just enthralling. Ciaran Hinds is a terrifying but empathetic Bois-Guilbert, Stephen Waddington (better known as the blond bad guy in Last Of The Mohicans) is a stalwart Ivanhoe, and about a billion notable British character actors play more minor roles. This is not a series to be passed up - mesmerizing.

Oh, and Sian Philips (Livia from I, Claudius) shows up for a hilarious cameo as Eleanor of Aquitaine. The entire six-hour series is worth the time investment just for the scene where she is berating John Lackland and Richard I, and they are shuffling their feet and saying (more or less), "But Moooooommmmm . . ."

[N. Gemini Sasson]

annis ..I agree "Ivanhoe" needs a Redux....It has a number of interesting subplots that need to be "Fleshed Out".....Norman/Saxons conflict, The Templars, Religious/Bigotry, Prince John, Robin Hood and Richard the 1st....I've seen three "Ivanhoe" films....some were better than others....overall pretty disappointing attempts....Sam Neil's role as the conflicted Templar de Bois-Guilbert, was above average......p.s I think a couple of them were made for TV.....

Ivanhoe was one of the books I read as a teenager that got me hooked on the medieval period. I'm feeling the sudden urge to check the local library and rent one of those older flicks. I barely remember the storyline, but I do remember Rebecca.

[parthianbow]

Well, I went to see Robin Hood last night, on its first night (not that I was eager or anything!) and thought it was terrific. Much much much better than eugghh Kevin Costner version. Crowe, as ever, is excellent. So is Cate Blanchett. The historical inaccuracies only grated towards the end, when we had archers on horses (and being very skilled riders), as well as feral boys on horses. Both these took part in a charge against armoured foot, and knights. I had to grit my teeth at that. I'd be very interested in hearing what EC has to say about the depiction of William Marshall too..
4-4.5 out of 5 stars for sheer enjoyment.

[Ken]

The historical inaccuracies only grated towards the end, when we had archers on horses (and being very skilled riders),.

That statement intrigued me Parthianbow, so I looked up my copy of 'The Great War Bow' by Strickland and Hardy (Beautiful book on all forms of archery).They state that mounted archers were an integral part of English royal and baronial households from at least the twelfth century and mentions the last surviving scene of the 11th century Bayeux tapestry which depicts an archer shooting from horseback at the fleeing saxons.

Of course these 'horse archers' were not using longbows, but short and sometimes recurved copies of those used by Byzantian archers since ancient times.

They also mention (talking about EC) that 'in 1139, Robert of Gloucester, when leaving Arundel, slipped through King Stephen's territory with ten knights and ten mounted archers.' Mounted archers also formed an important element of the forces taken to Ireland by the Anglo-Norman marcher lords in 1169.

So, Ridley Scott might be correct after all!

[N. Gemini Sasson]

Thanks for your thoughts on the movie, Ben. Planning my weekend around going to see it. Feels like I've been waiting forever!

[parthianbow]

Of course these 'horse archers' were not using longbows, but short and sometimes recurved copies of those used by Byzantian archers since ancient times. So, Ridley Scott might be correct after all!

I hadn't known of mounted archers in the Middle AGes before, so thanks for that Ken. However, the archers in the film were carrying longbows. I suspect however, that Ridley Scott wanted them present in a scene which they couldn't have been in unless they rode, rather than it being an attempt to be historically accurate. Of course, I could be wrong, but he showed a cavalier attitude to historical accuracy with Gladiator (a fantastic film IMHO nonetheless).

As for the recurved bows you mention - my name comes from one such - the bow used so successfully by the Parthians at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. They were incredibly powerful - in fact some were as powerful as English longbows.

[ejays17]

I went o see this last night as well, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had similar quibbles with the historical accuracies (or inaccuracies :) ) that Ben did, especially the Lost Boys riding horses in the final battle scene. That just stretched my credulity too far.

Oh, and in a packed cinema, only 3 of us laughed at the dirty joke abiut Sir Walter waking up with a healthy glow :D

[robinbird79]

My husband tried to find a baby-sitter so we could go see this tonight but no one could watch my 2 yr old. :( So I guess I'll have to wait until next weekend. (insert very sad face here)

[annis]

The movie hasn't opened here in New Zealand yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I see that RC has hit the news again for storming out of an interview when asked if he gave his Robin an Irish accent:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article7127241.ece

[Matt Phillips]

I hadn't known of mounted archers in the Middle AGes before, so thanks for that Ken. However, the archers in the film were carrying longbows. I suspect however, that Ridley Scott wanted them present in a scene which they couldn't have been in unless they rode, rather than it being an attempt to be historically accurate. Of course, I could be wrong, but he showed a cavalier attitude to historical accuracy with Gladiator (a fantastic film IMHO nonetheless).

As for the recurved bows you mention - my name comes from one such - the bow used so successfully by the Parthians at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. They were incredibly powerful - in fact some were as powerful as English longbows.

In any event, even if their existence is accurate, it does sound odd to show them charging armored infantry and knights, as ParthianBow notes. Weren't horse archers primarily used on the perimeters to harass foot soldiers and cavalry and draw them out of position?

I'm definitely planning to see it, though, particularly if it appears the anachronisms are minimal! I'm having a hard time thinking of any truly bad movies Crowe and Blanchett have been in, so that's a good sign.

[Rowan]

Well, I went to see Robin Hood and the one thing I was left slackjawed over was the style of the boats that the French used to come ashore. They looked rather like an early version of the Higgins boat used in WWII. Is that really accurate? Would this information appear in a book I can share with others?

[SarahWoodbury]

I saw the movie last night with my daughter, as both of us are sops for anything medieval. I expected to like it for that reason, but for it to be too violent, as all Ridley Scott movies are. I did, however, really like it a lot--I found myself absorbed in the characters, even if Cate Blanchett's hair was jarring every time I looked at it--loose? really? and totally the wrong color for her :) The whole thing about Robin and his father was odd, particularly the inscription on the Locksley sword. How were they connected exactly?

The history is completely messed up, of course. Ah well. When the French came ashore I was wondering--has anyone ever done a movie about William the Conquerer? I'd like to see that.

I wouldn't have thought there would be so many archers but the debate is open so I'll give Ridley Scott a pass on that. Prince Louis did invade England in 1216 with the support of the English barons--after the Magna Carta was signed and then repudiated by John--and was proclaimed king in London in May of that year. Then John died, having already fathered 9 year old Henry by Isabella, which changed everything. The English kicked Louis out and William Marshal became regent. He reissued the Magna Carta in 1216.

I didn't expect to like Russell Crowe in this character as much as I did. I thought it was cool that they cast Cate Blanchette instead of a young thing in Marian's role, although as mentioned, that she fights in that last battle is ridiculous. It felt like the ending got cut somehow--it was jarringly quick.

[Nefret]

Went to see it this afternoon. It was plenty entertaining.

the one thing I was left slackjawed over was the style of the boats that the French used to come ashore. They looked rather like an early version of the Higgins boat used in WWII.

That is what it looked like to me too.

[Matt Phillips]

I thought it was entertaining, not as compelling as "Gladiator" or even "Kingdom of Heaven," and a little slow in the middle, but worth seeing.

I tried to turn my inaccuracy tolerance way up in light of the legendary, not truly historical, subject matter, and at least appreciated that they tried to undergird the real historical figures' roles with some basis in truth. So, King Richard dies from a crossbow bolt before a French castle, although in reality IIRC it was while he was inspecting the siegeworks and not in the heat of battle. And there is a Magna Carta-type document years before the real one (and far more liberal and modern than the real one; this one sounds like it was written by Jefferson, not feudal barons), and a French invasion years before and under far different circumstances than the real one.

All in all, though, kernels of truth are all we can expect from most historical movies these days.

[Miss Moppet]

Interview with one of the original screenwriters (http://www.boldoutlaw.com/robint/reiff.html). Apparently the film was originally supposed to be about the Sheriff rather then Robin Hood. It changed somewhat in development.

[annis]

That would have been an interesting take on the RH story - pity they changed it. I have to say that Alan Rickman as the Sheriff in the Costner production absolutely stole the show. However, I can see that as a commercial proposition a movie about Robin hlmself is clearly more of a goer.

I hadn't realised that there were a couple of novels written from the Sheriff's POV- must check them out.

[LoveHistory]

Now I feel like Matthew MacFadyen got cheated. :(

[Miss Moppet]

The original version sounded much more interesting. I'd be more interested in going to see CSI:Sherwood than I am in Gladiator:the remake.

And yes, I'm quite curious to check out the Sheriff of Nottingham novels, too.

[LoveHistory]

CSI:Sherwood

Now that would make a good story!

[annis]

Just had a look, and it seems as if Richard Kluger's "Sheriff of Nottingham" (http://www.amazon.com/Sheriff-Nottingham-Richard-Kluger/dp/0140177035) is the book that the script-writer had in mind-- the Cadnum novel is a YA story and sounds like the usual RH scenario.

[chuck]

Hello annis....Have you had a chance to read Lawhead's "Hood trilogy?...A very dark Welsh/King Raven legend spin....not your usual RH approach...Thinking about reading Godwin's "Sherwood" series again......Have not seen Crowe's RH....such a mixed message...might wait for the director's cut....why Is Marion in armour?

[Madeleine]

apparently the original rumour was that RC would be playing both Robin and the Sheriff! Now that would have been interesting, I think?

[Kveto from Prague]

cant make up my mind on whether to see this film or not. on one hand ive always enjoyed ridley scott's films before like gladiator, black hawk down, and the underrated kingdom of heaven (which made the damning "error" of showing positive muslim characters).

but.... (cue rant theme music)

I think that King Arthur and Robin Hood are the two most overexposed legendary personages in historical fiction. there must be hundreds of films and books of each and i am just suffering from overkill. how many times can you go back to the well? what really cheezes me off is the fact that this takes away from other much more interesting historical characters. Why can't we have "new" characters. Why do people continue to consume the same old stuff. ah well, i guess thats why we have macdonalds, the same thing over and over again.

(end of rant theme)



So i dont know. i know film audiences are much more forgiving of legends like these than quasi-historical films.


(fun info: i think, it was walter scott who cemented robin hood in the times of Richard I. before ivanhoe, the legend of robin hood showed up in any number of time periods. in fact, many of the stories featured Henry VIII in the "prince John" role, with his wife Kathryn interceding for Robin hood when he was captured)

[Kveto from Prague]

Interview with one of the original screenwriters (http://www.boldoutlaw.com/robint/reiff.html). Apparently the film was originally supposed to be about the Sheriff rather then Robin Hood. It changed somewhat in development.


however, reading his plot for the original screenplay. THAT would make a great film. A real pity.

[SarahWoodbury]

Sherwood is one of my all-time favorite books (I've probably said that 12 times already on this forum). So to me, that's the RH story I like best. That said, it is also the Sheriff of Nottingham book I like best because it humanizes him and he's an understandable, even likable, character. I felt that Godwin really got the Norman/Saxon tension and cultures right (I don't know if they're 'right' in the literal sense, but the contrast was compelling).

So, I definitely think Mathew MacFadyen could have done some great things with the character!

[chuck]

Well just maybe the Movie Gods will consider doing a sequel about the Sheriff of Nottingham's POV.....Clive Owen, Viggo Mortensen, Liam Neeson,David Thewlis or Marton Csokas as the High Sheriff....They should have the ability to have charm with an edge......all have that manly Norman appeal.....I might add I would love to see it with use of Saxon and Norman language with subtitles.......I can dream and please proper haircuts.....

[LoveHistory]

You have something against Matthew MacFadyen, chuck?

[Susan]

Went to see it this afternoon. It was plenty entertaining.

Just came back from seeing the film and I agree. Yes, there were some historical inaccuracies, but I wasn't muttering complaints to my husband about them!

[robinbird79]

STILL haven't gotten to this yet. :( Everytime we try something comes up and we don't have a sitter.

[Nefret]

STILL haven't gotten to this yet. :( Everytime we try something comes up and we don't have a sitter.

That's too bad. Good luck with seeing it.

[chuck]

You have something against Matthew MacFadyen, chuck?

Excellent suggestion......

[LoveHistory]

Excellent suggestion......

Well he's already played the role in this version, so I thought maybe it would be a good fit.

[SGM]

I haven't seen the film yet, but I have a real problem with this spelling of "Locksley". My sister had to hold me down when I saw it in the Kevin Costner film. Please tell me Ridley Scott didn't use that spelling.

[Miss Moppet]

Heather (The Maiden's Court) has a review with screen captures (http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/2010/06/movie-review-robin-hood-2010.html)showing EXACTLY how similar the landing is to what was filmed in Saving Private Ryan.

[andrewoberg]

Is this already out, then? We haven't even had previews of it yet in Japan!

I have no idea why it takes films so long to get here...The usual excuse I get is that the translation takes time, but then why are Korean cinemas usually on the same schedule with Hollywood?:(

[Nefret]

Thanks for the link, Miss Moppet.