Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy returns from the Crusades, gets annoyed that the local government is mean, and starts a forest-based MLM scheme of wealth redistribution while dodging taxes and medieval HR violations.

🍿 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Robin’s Return to England

After escaping a Jerusalem prison with Azeem, Robin of Locksley returns to England to find his father murdered and his lands seized by the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff is oppressing the people while King Richard is away fighting in the Crusades. Robin vows to avenge his father’s death and fight against the Sheriff’s tyranny.

Joining the Outlaws

Robin and Azeem seek refuge in Sherwood Forest, where they encounter a band of outlaws led by Little John. After proving his worth, Robin joins them and begins training them to fight back against the Sheriff. They build a community in the forest, stealing from the rich to give to the poor, further enraging the Sheriff.

The Sheriff’s Retaliation

The Sheriff hires Celtic warriors to attack the outlaws’ hideout, destroying their refuge. He also kidnaps Maid Marian, forcing her to agree to marry him to save the lives of the captured outlaws. Meanwhile, Will Scarlett, revealed to be Robin’s half-brother, agrees to betray Robin to the Sheriff.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner): A nobleman and skilled warrior who becomes an outlaw to fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham’s tyranny and avenge his father’s death.
• Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman): The cruel and power-hungry antagonist who oppresses the people and seeks to usurp the throne while Robin is away.
• Azeem (Morgan Freeman): A Moorish warrior who escapes imprisonment with Robin and pledges to help him fight injustice as a way to repay a life debt.
• Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio): A noblewoman and Robin’s childhood friend who supports his cause and becomes his love interest.
• Will Scarlett (Christian Slater): A member of Robin’s band of outlaws, later revealed to be Robin’s half-brother, who initially struggles with loyalty but ultimately fights for good.
• Little John (Nick Brimble): The leader of the outlaws in Sherwood Forest who becomes Robin’s trusted ally and friend.
• Mortianna (Geraldine McEwan): The Sheriff of Nottingham’s evil sorceress, who uses dark magic to aid his tyrannical rule and oppose Robin Hood.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sheriff of Nottingham: “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon!” – The Sheriff threatens Robin Hood with a spoon instead of a knife, highlighting his sadistic and absurd nature.
• Sheriff of Nottingham: “Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas!” – The Sheriff expresses his frustration with Robin Hood by punishing the innocent and canceling Christmas.
• Azeem: “You have saved my life, this I will not forget. I am in your debt.” – Azeem pledges his service to Robin after being saved from the Jerusalem prison.
• Robin of Locksley: “We’ll fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!” – Robin rallies his men to stand up against the Sheriff’s tyranny and protect the oppressed.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $48,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $165,493,908
• Worldwide Gross: $390,493,908

💥 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and being completely swept away by the adventure and romance. Kevin Costner might not be the most convincing Englishman, but he’s got the heroic swagger down. Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham is iconic – pure villainous delight! The treehouse village in Sherwood Forest was always my favorite part. I wanted to live there! It’s a fun, nostalgic ride even if it’s a bit cheesy at times. And the Bryan Adams song? Still gets me every time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action-adventure movies”
  • “Those interested in medieval legends”
  • “Viewers who enjoy historical dramas with fictional elements”
  • “Fans of Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and battle scenes”
  • “Brief suggestive content”
  • “Some disturbing images (e.g., witch’s scenes)”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While lavish and action-packed, ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ suffers from inconsistent pacing, a muddled tone, and Kevin Costner’s unconvincing performance, though Alan Rickman’s villainous turn is a standout.
• Variety: “A big-budget spectacle that, while entertaining, lacks the charm and wit of previous Robin Hood adaptations. The action sequences are well-executed, but the overall narrative feels somewhat disjointed.
• The New York Times: “The film succeeds as a crowd-pleasing adventure, the movie is burdened by its length and Costner’s uninspired performance. Alan Rickman’s charismatic villain, however, provides the film with its most memorable moments.

Audience Reactions

Alan Rickman’s performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham is legendary, stealing every scene he’s in.: Most viewers agree that Alan Rickman’s portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham is a standout and elevates the film.

The sweeping landscapes and epic battle scenes capture the grand scale of the Robin Hood legend.: Many viewers praise the film’s visual scope and impressive action sequences.

Overall Consensus: Despite criticisms of Kevin Costner’s performance and historical inaccuracies, ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ remains a popular and entertaining adventure film, largely due to Alan Rickman’s iconic portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Best Original Music)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alan Rickman was given considerable freedom to interpret the Sheriff of Nottingham, resulting in his memorable and over-the-top performance.”
• “During the scene where Celtic warriors attack, stunt coordinator Nick Gillard plays nearly every Celt who is hit by an arrow, dying multiple times as different characters.”
• “Initial UK video releases included the full music video for Bryan Adams’ ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It for You’ after the end credits.”

🖥️ How to Watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves?

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is available to rent or buy on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for broadcast availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, you might like these similar films:

• The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938): A classic swashbuckling adaptation of the Robin Hood legend with Errol Flynn, known for its vibrant action and heroic portrayal.
• First Knight (1995): Another medieval adventure with Richard Gere as Lancelot, exploring themes of honor, loyalty, and forbidden love during King Arthur’s reign.
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005): Set during the Crusades, it shares the historical backdrop and themes of honor, betrayal, and the clash of cultures.
• Gladiator (2000): Features a hero fighting against a corrupt ruler to restore justice, similar to Robin Hood’s fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham.
• Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993): A comedic parody of Robin Hood films, including Prince of Thieves, offering a humorous take on the classic tale.

🛒 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Related Products

• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the epic score by Michael Kamen, featuring the iconic hit song by Bryan Adams. Experience the adventure through music.
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – [Blu-ray]: Experience the film in stunning high definition. Collector’s edition includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. A perfect addition for any fan’s collection.
• Alan Rickman as Sheriff of Nottingham Bobblehead: Celebrate Alan Rickman’s legendary performance with a detailed bobblehead figure. A humorous and memorable collectible.

🎧 Soundtrack

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – performed by Bryan Adams
• “Main Title – Prologue” – performed by Michael Kamen
• “Sir Guy of Gisborne” – performed by Michael Kamen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did you know that for ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES…

Did you know Alan Rickman was so unhappy with the script that he rewrote his lines at a Pizza Hut with some comedian friends? This video shares that fun fact and more about the making of the movie.

Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves (1991) Retrospective / Review

Looking for a deep dive into Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? This retrospective review gives a thorough analysis, exploring everything from the performances to the historical context of the film.

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