Robin Hood FactBehindFiction review

In Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood there is no shooting match at Nottingham, there is no Richard the Lionheart due to reclaim the throne from a usurper, there is no duel between Robin and Little John over a river and there is no robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, and there is no childhood romance with Maid Marion. But there is no mistaking that this is the Robin Hood that we all know and love. And to create the authenticity the film has some smart and creative storytelling for which there is no replacement

We are introduced to a somewhat cynical and battle hardened Robin Longstride returning to England from Palestine. Richard the Lionheart’s battalion lays siege to and plunders all the towns in their path and have crossed all but one French town after which the will cross the Channel. A series of events (including the death of the Lionheart) put the king’s crown and a Sir Loxley’s sword into Robin’s hands. After returning the crown to the Queen Mother, Robin makes his way to Nottingham where he must return the sword to it’s rightful owner - Loxley Sr.

The story is set in 1199 CE. The Queen Mother and William Marshall the advisor are concerned about French influence within the court of England. John is trying to convince the Pope to grant him a divorce so that he may marry his French mistress. King Philip of France (factually an ally of Richard the Lionheart for the duration of the Crusade but historically an enemy) is skeptical of invading England with the Lionheart as king, and Godfrey the French spy isn't sure of what to make of reports that Richard the Lionheart is dead.

As soon as the French plot is uncovered the Queen Mother and Marshall move to defend England while King John under the influence of his childhood friend Godfrey is foolishly stirring up unrest among local cheifs who supply his armies with manpower. Political manipulations and backroom arm-twisting are some of the hallmarks that distinguish the film from other interpretations of the legend.

Meanwhile Robin returns the sword to it’s rightful owner - Loxley Sr. After hearing of his son’s demise Loxley Sr. invites Robin to stay at his house in Nottingham to maintain an image of stability, since there is no heir to his fiefdom, by pretending to the dead Loxley Jr. In exchange Robin will be provided with livelihood and be told about his ancestors who Loxley Sr. knows of.

To ratify the ruse Robin must also pretend to be married to the widow of Loxley Jr. - Maid Marion. Thus begins the subtle and refreshing romance between Robin and Marion.

Maid Marion has been occupied with feeding her subjects who are on the verge of starving because of pilferage and agricultural failure. The surplus of the church’s crop provides Nottingham with no relief and the new minister - Friar Tuck is unable to extract any aid from the church; indeed the man of the cloth seems adept only at bee-keeping and drinking mead. To the rescue comes Robin and his men (Little John, Alan-a-dale & Will Scarlett) who locate the church’s supply train in the dead of night with the help of Tuck and confront it after questioning the leader with the above mentioned riddle.

The story then takes a political twist. Robin learns that his father (who was unknown to him) was a pioneer of modern political thought and painful flashbacks with the help of Loxley Sr. help him come to terms with what he originally considered abandonment. He uses this new found paternal and domestic respect to join forces with other local chiefs who have begun a revolt after being attacked by the French agent Godfrey and taxed to their limit in the name of the recently crowned King John.

Some deft political maneuvering by William Marshall and King John himself win over the chiefs and unite them to fight side-by-side against the oncoming French invasion.

In a bloody battle scene (which is in many ways the converse of the Normandy landing) Maid Marion makes an appearance in battle-gear looking like Joan of Arc, the dandy King John finds courage, Robin’s prowess with the bow finally makes an appearance and the French are sent packing.

The film ends on a note not unlike the X-Men film leaving not just room for a franchise but a excellent odds of one if you're a betting man. If there is one scene in the film that is not to be missed it is the monologue at the end in which the Sheriff of Nottingham to the townsfolk pronouncing Robin an outlaw. It reconciles the film with the legend of Robin Hood as we know it.

Inception: De-Constructed | The Man Without Fear - Frank Miller