Robin Hood: Prince of Theives (1991)
Special Edition DVD from Warner Home Video
Directed by Kevin Reynolds (The Count of Monte Cristo),
this flawed but entertaining film has also enjoyed a recent DVD
special edition release, which offers 12 minutes of extra footage
and a number of special features. Whereas the 1938 version of
Robin Hood was filmed in California with a cast of mostly
British principals, Prince of Thieves was filmed in England,
with Americans in most of the key roles. Kevin Costner was a
controversial choice to play the bandit of Sherwood Forest, as
he lacks Errol Flynn's suave joviality, and his attempt at an
English accent never quite convinces. But he does possess the
appropriate physicality for the role, and rides, swings his sword,
and dispatches arrows with appropriate conviction.
As stated, Costner is joined by a mostly American cast, against
whom he seems less out of place. The introduction of the Moorish
character Azeem (Morgan Freeman), who accompanies Robin home
from the Crusades, provides an interesting twist to the story.
The idea feels perhaps a bit contrived, but such is Freeman's
charisma that he pulls it off with his reliable class and distinction.
Alan Rickman's unbridled portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham
milks the part for all its camp value and manages to upstage
just about everyone else in the cast. However, a ridiculous sub-plot
concerning the Sheriff's involvement in Satan worship only serves
to mire the film in unbelievability.
A slew of Britain's grandest locations are put to good use here,
from the white chalk cliffs of Dover to the ruins of Hadrian's
Wall and Yorkshire's Aysgarth Falls. However, studio pressure
to meet a release deadline forced director Reynolds to shoot
in autumn, a logistically bad time to shoot in the UK, owing
to shortening days and incessantly damp, cloudy weather. Thus,
the film often has a dank, dreary look. Doug Milsome's cinematography
also feels sloppy at times, with an overuse of steadycam and
wide-angle shots. But Michael Kamen's score is heroic and adrenal,
embracing the brassy tradition set by Korngold.
As for the 12 minutes of restored footage, it is entirely superfluous,
and is mostly comprised of more bad scenes of the sheriff consorting
with his witch. But otherwise, the DVD special features are worth
watching. Included are two commentary tracks, as well as a good
"making of" feature. One can also listen to Kamen's
wonderful score on disc two.
Although an uneven production, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
remains an entertaining film. Coupled with the over all fine
supplements of this release, it makes for a DVD package that
is worth owning.
Paul Andrew MacLean
© 2004
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