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Amazon.co.uk Review
Kevin Costner's lousy English accent is a small obstacle in this often exciting version of the Robin Hood fable. That aside, it's refreshing to have a preface to the old story in which we meet the robber hero of Sherwood Forest as a soldier in King Richard's Crusades, coming home to find his people under siege from the cruelties of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). After Robin and his community of outcasts and fighters take to the trees, director Kevin Reynolds (Fandango, 187) is on more familiar narrative ground, and he goes for the gusto with lots of original action (Robin shoots two arrows simultaneously from his bow in two directions). Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as Marion, makes a convincing damsel in distress and Morgan Freeman brings dignity to his role as Robin's Moor friend. Alan Rickman, however, gets the most attention for his scene-chewing role as the rotten sheriff, an almost campy performance that is highly entertaining but perhaps a little out of sorts with the rest of the film. --Tom Keogh
Amazon.co.uk Review
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves reinvented the legend for contemporary cinema audiences, and in doing so far outstripped at the box office even Kevin Costner's own infinitely superior Dances with Wolves to become the biggest hit of 1991. It's an entertaining enough family adventure film, but plays like a big-budget TV movie with no distinctive flair for action or romance. (Director Kevin Reynolds would reunite with Costner four years later for the equally stodgy Waterworld). If the accents are all over the place, at least Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio makes a Maid Marion of ravishing Pre-Raphaelite beauty. Morgan Freeman is fine as Robin's Moorish sidekick, though, other than to expand the demographic, his character has no business being in the story. Realising that the whole enterprise has the credibility of a pantomime, Alan Rickman outrageously camps up his Sheriff of Nottingham, stealing the film in the process. Costner makes an acceptable hero, though he will never replace Errol Flynn in the definitive The Adventures of Robin Hood.
If you can accept explosives in 13th-century England, that the approach to Sherwood Forest is a modern conifer plantation and that the 170 miles from Dover to Nottingham is a matter of a few hours ride via Northumberland, then you may find much to enjoy here. Otherwise an already overlong film has been extended to an excessive 148 minutes in this special edition, making far too much of a not very good thing.
On the DVD: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is presented as a two-disc set, with a 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer that is generally good looking but with an occasionally soft picture and some evidence of dirt and minor print damage. The Dolby Digital 5.1 remix of the original stereo soundtrack is atmospheric and powerful and shows off Michael Kamen's score to its best. Though presented with 12 minutes of footage not seen in the cinema version, the film still suffers most of the cuts (amounting to 28 seconds) imposed by the BBFC over the years.
The main extras are a pair of commentaries: Costner and Reynolds discuss the film in frank and enthusiastic detail, while on a second track Freeman, Slater, writer/producer Pen Densham and cowriter/producer John Watson offer a great deal of insight plus a fair bit of stating the obvious, backslapping and critic bashing. Robin Hood: The Myth, the Man, the Movie (31 mins) is a cut version of a 45-minute TV special originally broadcast in America the night before the premiere, and offers an interesting if brief look at the Robin Hood story plus some routine making-of material. Finally, there is a video of Bryan Adams performing "Everything I Do, I Do It for You" live at Slane Castle and 18 minutes worth of bland electronic presskit-style archive interviews with Costner, Freeman, Mastrantonio, Slater and Alan Rickman, plus the original American trailer, a stills gallery and cast and crew list. --Gary S Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great film, good extras - extended cut of film,
By
This review is from: Robin Hood Prince of Thieves [Blu-ray] [1991][Region Free] (Blu-ray)
The film is great - a really fun swashbuckler and just as good as I remembered it.
It's great to see this film uncut for the first time in the UK since it was in the cinemas - this 12 cert version is a full 18 years overdue! Note though that this is the extended version of the film, with roughly an extra 12 minutes of footage. Personally, I'd have preferred the theatrical version - or the choice of both (this is blu ray after all). The transfer quality is not the best, but is perfectly adequate, and there's a decent selection of special features too. The menus are a bit basic, but I view this as a good thing as it keeps the useful resume functionality (enabling you to stop the film and pick up from where you left off - as you can with DVDs), which is a function sorely missing from blu ray discs with flashier interfaces. On the whole then, a great addition to your collection, especially if you don't own it already on DVD.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unexpectedly Enjoyable,
This review is from: Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves [1991] [DVD] (DVD)
Im not really a fan of Robin Hood at all. In fact, I didn't ever plan to watch this film as it seemed far too boring and outdated for me. However, this film is thoroughly enjoyable; well acted, with a good plot and a great soundtrack (Bryan Adams hit - Everything I Do, which has the longest ever record at number 1 in the English charts).
Kevin Costner plays the part of Robin Hood well, and i think the character suits him. The bad accent is not that much of a let down, and to be honest, with all the Hollwood actors and actresses these days with Amerian accents in every film i didn't really notice. Morgan Freeman is a great support actor in this film, like as always (e.g. The Shawshank Redemption) and his performance here is fantastic, despite the fact that his level of action in the film is pretty low, especially compared to Costner. But, the real reason this movie is so so good is because of one fact. two words. Alan Rickman. I haven't really see him in many films but this has to be one of his best performances. This one of my favourite characters ever a film, just think of Johnny Depp in Pirates Of The Carribean, except Alan plays the villianous Sheriff Of Nottingham, and its played with less "campness" and more dry witt. He truly steals the show. If you should watch this film, which i think you should, if you're into action packed films that can be watched by the whole family and that includes some romance as well, the biggest reason for watching it would be for Alan Rickman. Well Done Alan
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buy it and try it!,
By
This review is from: Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves [1991] [DVD] (DVD)
I liked the Robin Hood film because it was entertaining, funny and exciting. My favourite character was the Sheriff of Nottingham because although he is mean and evil, I thought he was funny. My opinion is that the film was great. Robin Hood has a group of friends they call themselves The Merry Men. These characters are Robin's friends Friar Tuck, Little John, Maid Marion, the King and Wilf a little boy. Robin Hood and the Merry Men live in deep damp Sherwood Forest. The Sheriff lives in a big castle with lots of guards to stop you from getting in the castle. The Sheriff's gang also have lots of weapons used for fighting their enemies. I give this film 4/5. It is a brilliant film, so try watching it today. It is fabulous so remember buy it and try it!
By Poppy Gevaux Year 3 pupil Hilldene Primary School
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