Robin and Marian (1976)

Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw

Synopsis:
After twenty years of fighting in King Richard's wars, Robin Hood returns to England, where he fights against the Sheriff of Nottingham once more.

Impressions:
I saw this movie several years back and I'm happy to revisit it now that I've seen more of Richard Lester's work. If you've seen his Musketeer movies, you'll find a similar feel. Also, being written by James Goldman, there are also similarities to The Lion in Winter. (You could even think of it as something of a spiritual sequel.) If you like the romanticism of most Robin Hood stories, this movie isn't for you. If the idea of deconstructing that romanticism appeals to you, then you're in for an interesting if depressing ride.

The performances are strong with Sean Connery as an aging Robin Hood trying to recapture the glory days, Nicol Williamson as the faithful Little John, Audrey Hepburn (who returned from a nine-year hiatus from acting just to be in this film) as Marian, Robert Shaw as the comparatively reasonable Sheriff, and Richard Harris as the raving mad King Richard.

Costuming is good and the overall set design definitely go for a "dung ages" effect. The fight choreography is clumsy and sloppy, which isn't a knock against it. Rather, it's a very realistic and if you want an aversion to overly stylized fight scenes, this is it. Really brutal stuff.

It's a tragic tale that spills out the guts of "happily ever after" in the streets, but it's actually more true to some strains of the tradition than some people realize. As I noted at the beginning of the review, if you don't mind having the romance taken out of Robin Hood, give this one a watch and see an ever after that's anything but happy.

Rating:
Watch It