The Marci Rating System

Back last May, I wrote a review for ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves,’ and it turned out not to be the movie I was expecting at all. Apparently, that was because I was expecting *this* movie, and if you’ve seen both, you might imagine my consternation.

(Really, it was the deer on the table thing I remembered most. And knocking over all those candles in the final fight scene. Although I kept expecting things to catch on fire, which they never did.)

Right, so this movie was sort of terrible and awesome all at the same time. Because 1938 was a different world, and there were some cringeworthy moments, and yet — Robin Hood! This is so clearly the film that has colored all of my expectations of what Robin Hood should be about. (Fun. Tights. Swinging from trees. Sparkles. Hats. Laughing. Filming in fast forward when you want it to look like people are going quickly.)

Anyway! The tights, the hats, the sparkles! Prince John — he was so… short! And ginger! Guy! He was so… colorfully dressed! Like a fabric shop exploded all over him! (He and Robin both looked *so* surprised when he died — I was sad.)

Question: Was Will Scarlett *actually* high all the time, or was that some sort of acting decision? He was all ‘hahahaha I’ll play my lute!’ On the other hand, he was hardly the only one to act oddly, well, merry. Maybe it was something in the water?

I think I liked it, and I’m definitely glad I watched it. If you’ve ever wondered why the gang (thanks BBC version!) was called ‘Robin Hood and his Merry Men’ when all the portrayals were so darned depressing, this film will set your mind at ease. They were totally merry! They climbed trees merrily, and swung down on traveling nobles merrily! They ate mutton merrily, despite a suspicious lack of sheep! They wore tights merrily, and shot arrows merrily, because at the heart of any great rebellion is a great color scheme and a never-ending supply of arrows that don’t draw blood!

In conclusion: The BBC series left me with an odd affection for Guy, and Star Trek sort of ruined the whole Marion/Robin romance angle for me, but Errol Flynn sure did wear those tights with panache and aplomb!

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.