Rating:  Summary: A CHARACTER STUDY, NOT AN ACTION FILM Review: In this version of the Robin Hood myth, an aged Robin and Little John played wonderfully by Nicol Williamson return to Sherwood and Nottingham after the death of Richard Lion Heart whom they followed on the Crusades. Upon their arrival, they encounter Tuck and Scarlett, forcibly recruit Marion who's now the Abbotess of a nunnery, and in doing so, re-initiate hostilities with the Sheriff of Nottingham. I can't blame anyone for being disappointed in this film; you hear the name Robin Hood and you automatically expect feats of Zen archery and balletic sword duels between Robin and The Sherriff of N. But while not as dynamic as other Robin Hood films, Robin and Marion is not as facile as those films either. This film is about people; it's not supposed to serve as a visual roller coaster. If you prefer comic books to literature, by all means stick with the Errol Flynn version, because Robin and Marion, while it may not be a great work, is still a good piece of literature. It's about being human and being alive, to which, in this film, the fighting is secondary. And while the fight between Robert Shaw and Sean Connery did look arthritic and clumsy, it was also a lot closer to a real fight than Flynn's bladed flashdance with Basil Rathbone (sp?) ever was.
Rating:  Summary: Brings Out My Sentimental Side Review: I liked this movie when it was first released, which answers my sons' challenge that I like Robin Hood as a middle-aged guy because I AM a middle-aged guy. It is everything that a good movie should be. It is well written, well cast and acted, and it holds up as a good story and a good film many years after its theatrical release.I have always thought that Sean Connery was a cocky kid and a not-so-good actor in the James Bond movies, but became profoundly good later in life in "The Rock" and "The Untouchables", and that same developed talent comes through here. He IS the middle aged Robin, a perfectly realized role, as is Audrey Hepburn as Marian. The plot follows Robin's return to England after the death of King Richard in the Crusades. King John (Boo!) is in power and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw)is up to his old larcenous tricks. But now they are "old guys" and their efforts to fuss with each other as in days of yore are sometimes funny and sometimes sad. But the movie is an excellent addition to any DVD library. Technically, the picture has been remastered to modern standards, and if the sound is not DTS, it is acceptable. Good job, but where is the outastanding "Adventures of Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn?? It's long overdue in DVD format.
Rating:  Summary: A great sequel...but to what? Review: This movie isn't so much a sequel to The Adventures of Robin Hood as it is to The Lion in Winter. James Goldman wrote the scripts for both and he seems to have a fetish for the Plantagenets. This movie opens with Robin and Little John in the service of a very mad Richard the Lionhearted (wonderfully played by the late Richard Harris). They make their way back to Sherwood to find that Maid Marian has become a nun. (A little tip: if, in a British legend, your girlfriend becomes a nun, you just know it is going to end badly.) The only person who seems truly happy to see Robin again after twenty years is the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw). Watching him fight Sean Connery again, I felt as if this might also be a sequel to From Russia With Love!The movie is a very good bittersweet romance between famous lovers in their later years. It is not on the same level as The Lion in Winter, but then, how few things are. Watching it, I was reminded how wonderful it is to see Connery act in a real role - instead of mouthing the inanities they give him now ("Welcome to the Rock!"). It is a very good period piece, made the way the used to make them. For any Sean Connery fan, it is a must.
Rating:  Summary: Dark and wistful take on Robin and Marian Review: This film wonderfully directed by Richard Lester offers an entirely different take on the legendary characters of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. It's 1199, Robin and Little John, return to England, after King Richard the Lionheart's death during the siege of Chal^us. Marian, now an abbess is taken from Kirklees Abbey. Robin and his followers once more prepare to fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham, their old foe. As for the story I'll refrain from saying anything more. 'Robin and Marian' is about ageing, accepting life as it is. It's a far cry from the non-stop swashbuckling of 'The adventures of Robin Hood' with Erroll Flynn, this movie presents all of the famous characters in their old age. It shows how everyone deals with the progress of time, but offers no judgement. Sean Connery is splendid as the aged Robin. With insight and passion he portrays a man who doesn't take well to the passage of time. Which is sometimes painful to behold. Audrey Hepburn shines, in what I think is certainly one of her most interesting performances. Her excellent Marian has wisdom, intelligence, spunk and a wistful touch. Her chemistry with Connery's Robin is brilliant. Their rekindled love is shown with a bittersweet, poignant tenderness. Which one doesn't see often on the screen, and Audrey Hepburn and Sean Connery certainly rise to the challenge. Of the other cast members Robert Shaw and Nicol Williamson stood out for me. Shaw's Sheriff is cunning but also fatherly (he has moved on but is still a match for Robin). And Williamson's Little John although staunchly loyal to Robin knows very well that things are over. This film has a gritty, authentic medieval look. But there are the lovely locations of the forest to enjoy. A great soundtrack by John Barry heightens also the wistful mood. But the viewer gets a rather stereotypical portrayal of King John. The usual evil John of the legends. Also interesting is the poignant symbolism of the three apples at the beginning and end of this film. 'Robin and Marian' doesn't destroy the legend of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. To me they became very realistic and infinitely more human. Not in the least because of the fantastic performances by Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn. No matter what, the two lovers will always be together, in the hearts and minds of people. However this film doesn't compromise, ultimately leading to its downbeat and heartwrenching finale.
Rating:  Summary: A senior-citizens (subjects?) love story Review: Lovely Audrey Hepburn, as beautiful as she ever was, rekindles a long lost romance with her then groom-to-be Sean Connery twenty years after they separated. Only trouble is ...the Sheriff of Nottingham is out to get them because she's Lady Marian and he's Robin Hood! All this played out in tongue-in-cheek style by director Richard Lester. I saw this movie in 1976 for the first time, and just recently a few days ago. It is still one of the best romances ever made, and, probably, the Dream Cast ever: Robert Shaw, Nichol Williamson, Richard Harris, Denholm Elliott, Ian Holm as Lackland John and, as his young bride ...Victoria Abril in her first role! Don't miss it!!!
Rating:  Summary: A wonderful, wonderful movie Review: This movie is an undiscovered gem. It is not only a beautiful love story, but it is also attempts to present a realistic picture of the age of the Crusades. The acting is wonderful. The scenery is gorgeous. The audience is treated with respect. The writing is wonderful. You can stop reading now, as this should be enough to make you buy the movie. Two additional points: the movie contains the best once sentance describtion of the middle age mind set: "he was my king" and watch this movie and you will get Eddie Izzard's joke in his HBO stand up routine.
Rating:  Summary: The movie that made "Men In Tights" look good... Review: Pompous. Boring. Contrived. This movie is not at all what it promised. If you want to see an over-the-hill rebel fight "city hall" and try to romance a post-menopausal woman, go for Bridges of Madison County This is the movie that enabled that ghastly Kevin Costner film. For Robin Hood, stick with Errol Flynn or the BBC. Connery doesn't do well in sword movies...
Rating:  Summary: Gritty Review: Very raw. Not your typical Hollywood production. These two are no longer spring chickens either. More of the reality of an old love than the frills. Audrey Hepburn only gets better with age, and the butt shot of Sean Connery was an unexpected, funny bonus. This isn't a film I would purchase and watch over and over, but I enjoyed it. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
Rating:  Summary: On Golden Pond in Sherwood Forest? Review: Strange plot and theme for a medieval hero such as Robin Hood. Heroic effort at coming up with such as story but it just falls flat. In this rendition of the legendary fable, Robin Hood (Connery) returns to England to meet with Marion (Hepburn) and soon realizes that he's just out of tune with the times; Marion is the cataclysm that makes him accept the final conclusion that he's all washed up, old, and without much fighting left in him: just enough breath for one final effort. The ending is ludicrous for a period obsessed with Christian values; their actions amounting to a cardinal sin with no offer of salvation. The script is unimpressive and the dialogue is slow. The music seems to add to the slumber. Two old geezers reminiscing about the good old days; a real yawner. I find it doubtful that peoples of the 12th Century had even time to contemplate getting old; life back then being so nasty, brutish, and short, they usually died before thoughts of age ever crossed their minds. I wouldn't recommend owning this one. Rent it to satiate your curiosity and then,if you're still awake at the end, decide if it's worth owning.
Rating:  Summary: Great cast but slow and disappointing Review: Audrey looks beautiful and does a great job; Connery, Shaw, Williamson and the rest are terrific; but the plot is very slow and, as my husband said, "has holes that you could drive a truck through." There are too many long, tedious sword fights and too many long gallops across the English countryside with romantic music playing. And the ending was a little too corny, even for romantics like me. Better than Audrey's "Paris When it Sizzles," but still not her best.
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