Robin and Marian [DVD] [1976] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

'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.

The scenes are some of the most realistically portrayed I've ever seen: Robin and Little John get puffed out on scaling Nottingham castle's walls, waking up in a cold forest first thing in the morning is a shock to the system for all and the final battle is a one-on-one struggle to make you flinch. I for one have never seen such easy-to-identify-with real life touchs in a film, before or since. They made me smile.The extras dot the entrance and exits of scenes with clever touchs of Pythonesque humour too.

Add to this the underlying love story with the action and you have a highly enjoyable film, sometimes profound, mostly light-hearted but always gripping for the both the men and the ladies.

Connery, Hepburn, Shaw and Harris interpret their characters with great skill and perform superbly.

Highly entertaining, highly recommended.