by Marie Stine

Created on: May 16, 2010

The new Robin Hood movie starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett isn’t the typical Robin Hood story.  It’s got a bit of a different twist to it and attempts to delve into the early origins of Robin Hood.  While the legend of Robin Hood is widely known, there is no actual proof that he existed.     

Robin Hood doesn’t start out as Robin of Loxley; he is simply Robin Longstride, a lowly archer fighting for King Richard in France on their way back from the Crusades.  When the king is killed, Robin and his mates head for the coast looking for a way to sail back to England.  They stumble across a group of soldiers who were ambushed on their way to England returning the king’s crown.  Most are already dead, but Sir Robert Loxley asks Robin to return his sword to his father in Nottingham.  Robin and his men don the knights’ armor to gain passage on the ship and return the crown.

Robin feels he must honor his promise to return the sword and makes his way to Nottingham with his friends following along.  Once there, he finds Sir Loxley’s widow, played marvelously by Cate Blanchett, and gives her the news.  Lady Marion is a strong-willed, quick-witted, sharp-tongued noblewoman worried about keeping her people fed and taking care of her father-in-law, Sir Walter Loxley.

When Sir Walter learns of his son's death, he proposes that Robin take his son’s name to protect Lady Marion and his land.  Sir Walter fears that after he dies, Lady Marion will be stripped of her land without a husband.  Robin accepts and Lady Marion reluctantly agrees to the plan making his presence known to the townspeople.

Robin’s men, Alan A’Dayle, Will Scarlet and Little John stay on in Nottingham and befriend Friar Tuck.  In this version of Robin Hood, Friar Tuck is also a beekeeper.  Perhaps they wrote him in as a beekeeper because mead was made with honey and the good friar did love his mead.    

There is little robbing of the rich and giving to the poor in this movie and Robin is hardly merry.  The sheriff of Nottingham plays a very minor role; never meeting Robin Hood.  Russell Crowe, as always, gives an intense performance and brings his character to life, while Cate Blanchett plays a fiery version of Marion which is a refreshing take.

Critics say this movie does not hold true to the expectations of Robin Hood because it deviates from the usual tale of legend.  Although the critics do not rate this movie highly, it is an entertaining movie and may lead to a sequel.

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