Robin Da Hood

So before, I was watching all the versions of Snow White, now I've moved on to Robin Hood. Actually, what spurred this on was the passing of Alan Rickman (the world will be a darker place without him. RIP). I decided to watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on the day I heard the news in honor of him (since I realized I hadn't actually seen the entire thing). And that's what started it... After that, I wanted to watch the spoof, then I wanted to watch the Errol Flynn version, and then the Disney version, etc.

Of course, after I was finished, I had to come here and write about it.

Robin Hood is one of those timeless tales that practically everyone knows and loves. The arrow-shooting outlaw who robs from the rich and gives to the poor. I think deep down, everyone does want a dashing hero to come and save them from oppression and evil no matter how much we're all saying "be your own person" and "women don't need a prince charming" etc. etc. That's why we enjoy these stories so much.

So here's a list of all the Robin Hood adaptions I've seen from least favorite to favorite. Mostly I'm rating them on which one I'd most likely watch if given a choice because honestly they're all very different.

5) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

The first major Robin Hood movie. It is so unbelievably cheesy and ridiculous, but it is so good at the same time. It follows the traditional, ideal picture of the swashbuckling hero. Errol Flynn is literally his own genre: sword fighting, climbing up walls, swinging on ropes and chandeliers, and so on. People actually say the phrase, "It's an Errol Flynn-type movie". So, yes, an Errol Flynn Robin Hood. He's the handsome, dashing romantic hero who can do no wrong. The action scenes are so over the top and so entertaining to watch. Also, the movie includes all the traditional stories of Robin Hood that we all know such as Robin Hood and Little John battling with the poles on the bridge, the archery contest, Robin Hood saving Much from the guard for killing the king's deer to name a few. It's traditional, cheesy, and all around fun.
Robin Hood is played by (as I said) Errol Flynn. I basically gave my review of him above, but he's just as over the top as the rest of the movie. He plays your typical dashing, charming, gallivant hero who's out to right all the wrongs in the world. I quite like it. He does a good job with it. I mean, it's sort of ridiculous, but the entire movie is ridiculous, so he's not particularly out of place. I enjoyed his performance.

4) Robin Hood (2010)

This could actually be interchangeable with The Adventures of Robin Hood. It kind of depends on my mood because both movies set a completely different tone. Rather than an adventurous and fun story, it takes a more gritty, action-based turn. It actually focuses more on how Robin Hood became an outlaw and all the events leading up to that time. So if you expect to see all the classic scenes and stories such as the archery tournament or something while going into this movie, you will be bitterly disappointed. However, I think that it does a fairly decent job at setting up the story and establishing characters. I do think that the subplot with the plot against the kingdom is a bit useless. I mean, why not make the main villain the Sheriff of Nottingham like all other Robin Hood stories and not... whatever his name was (see, he's not even a memorable villain). I suppose they were trying to be original, but it didnt really work to their advantage. It was seriously so confused, like are we supposed to feel bad for Prince John? But... he's a bad guy. But he's being attacked... But he's oppressing the people... But they're on his side... Like that extra bad guy just made it so confused. I really think that the subplot with the plot against the throne was too much. Anyways, I digress. The movie was still pretty good. The action could be over the top, but I didn't mind, I was still entertained because I was invested in the characters.
Robin Hood is played by Russell Crowe. I think he did a good job despite what many critics say. I was a bit surprised when I heard the casting choice, but when I saw him play it, I accepted it. Usually when you picture Robin Hood, you think a dashing young man which is not Russell Crowe. He did still capture the stout-heartedness, the bravery, and the pureness that is Robin Hood.

3) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Also a classic. I only recently watched this one all the way through. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Although it was a little clunky at times, the story still held up and was very entertaining. I particularly enjoyed Alan Rickman's performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham. He was brilliant! It did have many of the classic stories that we know and love, but it did not include the oh-so well known archery tournament which I was very disappointed about. I kept waiting and waiting for it, but it never came. Oh well, it did have many other aspects I liked. Particularly Robin Hood and his merry men's robbing tactics. They were very clever and fun to watch.
Robin Hood is played by Kevin Costner. I thought he did extremely well. He captured the charm and light-heartedness that is Robin Hood, but could also be daring and dangerous when necessary.

2) Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

This might have been the first spoof movie I ever saw and I found it hilarious! People don't consider this movie Mel Brook's best work and yeah, perhaps it isn't. However, in regards to the Robin Hood story, I admit it is close to the top of my list. Even though it's a spoof, it does include pretty much all the classic Robin Hood stories (even if it is making fun of them). It's mostly poking fun at the Kevin Costner and Errol Flynn film versions, combining the plots of both films into one and tearing them apart (in the best way possible). Since I've seen both versions, I get a complete kick out of all the jokes. Even before I saw either movie, I still found this film completely hysterical. The jokes and performances are all so funny and well placed. It even puts in random songs as homage to the Disney version. This movie is great!
Robin Hood is played by Cary Elwes. He captures the character (for this version) so perfectly! He is an exaggeration of past Robin Hoods; charming, handsome, dashing, etc. and he is also hilarious. And as he blatantly points out in the movie "unlike other Robin Hoods [he] speaks with an English accent".

1) Disney's Robin Hood (1973)

Probably the one that most people are familiar with. I adore this version! Is there anyone who doesn't know that catchy whistle from the beginning? (It's now stuck in your head!) Such a great film! I love the songs, the characters, the animation, the tone, everything! It's fun that the characters are animals and each animal fits their character (ex: Robin Hood is a fox because he's sly and sneaky). Who can forget Prince John and his thumb sucking? Or the Sheriff and his jovial humming as he destroys everyone's lives? Or how about that crazy fight scene in the middle of the movie with the pie fight, the marriage proposal, and the running tent? So great! Oo-de-lally!
Robin Hood is voiced by Brian Bedford. I think it fits pretty well. Sometimes looking back, you can tell it's one of those "old-time" voices, you know? But it still goes. He fits the character and is one of the two on this list who actually speaks with an English accent ;)