Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves Rated PG-13 1991 The Review: Overall rating: 1 hand Rickmaniac rating: 3 hands Synopsis: Robin Hood returns to Sherwood Forest to annoy the "bad guys". This is the film where Kevin Costner left California, turned Sherwood Forest into condominiums, asked Morgan Freeman to do a cesarean on an unsuspecting woman, and got Sean Connery's blessing for it all. The trailers were spectacular; the movie is not. I'm very fond of Errol Flynn's movie persona, and what Robin Hood needs is Flynn's charm, energy, and flair when swinging from limb to limb. Robin did not get any of that in RH,POT. This very slow film finally picks up when George, Sheriff of Nottingham, enters the scene. George wears the best clothes, speaks the best lines, and has the most fun. Also, George is played by Alan Rickman with great energy and flair, in an all-out style in the best Simon Legree tradition. Unfortunately, the last quarter of RH,POT turns into a Willow-like fantasy where we infer that George is the son (my interpretation of what is not a clear point) of a witch. Geraldine McEwan, Mrs. Proudie of Barchester Chronicles, plays the witch. Ms McEwan and Mr. Rickman must have had great fun playing these parts. Aside from Mr. Rickman’s performance, if you want Robin Hood, try Errol’s; if you want Medieval fantasy, I recommend Ladyhawk or Willow instead. Except for Mr. Rickman's presence, this is one dull movie. If there was ever a film that would improve in a fan's cut (where one edits away all scenes that don’t contain Rickman), certainly this is the one: Mr. Rickman pocketed this one. Rickmanistas will love George's dastardliness and dark good looks. I gave it a 3-hand Rickmaniac rating because there just isn't enough Rickman in it; otherwise it would be a 5. As a postscript, I found this comment in the Bristol Evening Post & Press site, "Such a shame that Flynn's Robin could not somehow be spliced with Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham. Now that would truly be a classic!" You also might find Allen Wright's review very interesting, in his excellent Robin Hood site. Reviewed by Fausta, 10 December, 1997, with postscript of 6 Nov. 1998. RH,POT is available at video stores. If you are considering purchasing it, rent it first to be sure. Photo courtesy of Suzanne. All other photos courtesy of a contributor that prefers to remain anonymous. The first DVD version has no additional scenes but does contain a trailer, and a lengthy and rather odd feature on "historical accuracy" which leaves one wondering about those exploding powder kegs and the location of Hadrian’s Wall. (For a list of anachronisms, goofs and plot holes in Prince of Thieves, visit Movie-Mistakes.com -- their motto's "Continuity, Schomtinuity") However, Lauren tells us that On June 10th, 2003, Warner Brothers released a new extended version of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Included features: DISC ONE Commentary by Kevin Costner and Director Kevin Reynolds Commentary by other cast members Morgan Freeman & Christian Slater, and Writers/Producers Pen Densham & John Watson 12 Added Never-Before-Available Minutes of Footage Incorporated Into The Film DISC TWO Making-Of Documentary "Robin Hood: The Myth, The Man, The Movie" hosted by Pierce Brosnan Vintage one-on-one interviews with the cast (hopefully including Alan) Score-only audio track with all-new Dolby Digital 5.1 Remix, and Bryan Adams music video (with clips of Alan?) "Weapons of the Time" 3-D gallery Worldwide poster art gallery Extensive production notes including cast Widescreen letterbox format I'm hoping the extra twelve minutes are some of the deleted Rickman scenes! Stacey commented on Oct 31, 2003, " If you are an Alan Rickman fan that collects everything Alan Rickman has been in, then you would probably want to get the DVD with extra features." Thank you Lauren & Stacey for the information. captures from the DVD extra features courtesy of Stacey