Robin Hood: Prince of Theives (1991) Kevin Reynolds   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

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