Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (Special Edition) (DVD)

...follows the traditional story of robin hood, which if you haven't heard it (where have you been if you haven't?) is as follows. Son of a rich nobleman (Robin of Locksley) returns from the third crusade where he has been fighting with Richard the Lion Heart. On his return he discovers that the evil brother prince John (later king john) aided by the sheriff of Nottingham has userpt the throne, he has also excommunicated Robin's father. Finding no friends ...
...follows historical 'truth' (although weather Robin Hood ever existed is still up for debate). Throughout the film Robin (played by Kevin Costner) attempts to win the heart of Lady Marian (played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) while helping the outlaws reconstruct something of their shattered lives. He simultaneously must defeat the sheriff of Nottingham (played by Alan Rickman) who attempts to marry Lady Marian.

--- Characters and ... more

Well this film has to be one of the best around. I apsolutely love this film and this new special edition really adds to the experience. Crammed full of special features I can watch this film over and over again.

--- Brief Synopsis ---
The story follows the traditional story of robin hood, which if you haven't heard it (where have you been if you haven't?) is as follows. Son of a rich nobleman (Robin of Locksley) returns from the third crusade where he has been fighting with Richard the Lion Heart. On his return he discovers that the evil brother prince John (later king john) aided by the sheriff of Nottingham has userpt the throne, he has also excommunicated Robin's father. Finding no friends in enlands nobility he is force to flee into Sherwood forest where he meets and joins a band of outlaws. He then wages a guerrilla war against the nobility giving what he gains to the poor.

This film differs from many others as it follows historical 'truth' (although weather Robin Hood ever existed is still up for debate). Throughout the film Robin (played by Kevin Costner) attempts to win the heart of Lady Marian (played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) while helping the outlaws reconstruct something of their shattered lives. He simultaneously must defeat the sheriff of Nottingham (played by Alan Rickman) who attempts to marry Lady Marian.

--- Characters and Performances ---

The performances in this film are spectacular. Costner gives a star performance that was to be expected (prior to Waterworld!!) and you really feel for him. Costner fits well into the leadership role and is able to deliver the key speeches well. Morgan Freeman plays a Saracen who owes a life debt to Robin (from the crusades) and for his personal honour must repay it before he can leave, a great performance from Freeman with many patronising and calmly optimistic lines add a great deal to the film.

Rickman plays (as usual) the bad guy of the film the Sheriff of Nottingham. Rickman adds his anticipated brand of evil which when combined with his voice makes for a great antagonist for Costner to play off. Christian Slater played the hard done by outlaw with a mysterious past (you find out more in the film), he double crosses both sides several times, and he plays the shady character very well. Mary Mastrantonio as Lady Marian also provides an above par performance which only adds to the film.

Overall there are no weak performances everyone pulls together and the film is well supported. A cameo appearance by Sean Connery (as Richard I) adds very little but was a nice touch. With good interaction and chemistry on screen the casting was obviously well planned and executed.

--- Direction ---

The direction is good. The film moves fluidly throughout and the cameras are well controlled. Kevin Reynolds was somewhat inexperienced when taking up this challenge and pulled through well (although he failed miserably when he directed Waterworld). Reynolds has failed to find other hits since this film and only directed the odd film. Looking through the film however there are many goofs throughout the film, not only continuity errors but also multiple anachronisms. Overall a talented and underappreciated use of direction for the is film

--- Costumes ---

The costumes are reasonably good and quite authentic (at least in looks). Having said that, the costumes are nothing special and are simplistic. A job well done by the crew but they add very little if anything to the film.

--- Editing ---

I have added in editing to this review which is not something that I would usually do, however it is quite important in this film. In the special edition you get the film with all the deleted scenes put back in. If you watch the original film without the deleted scenes you miss half the story, as several subplots have been removed. However the worst part is that through editing some plots have been half removed with only concluding sections remaining. If you see this film you must watch it with the deleted scenes put in.

--- Soundtrack ---

The soundtrack for this film is amazing, with some of the best songs around. Bryan Adams does a spectacular job with the title track ((Everything I Do) I do it for you) which he won a Grammy for. The soundtrack really captures the emotions brought out by the film and is well worth listening to.

--- Cast ---

Kevin Costner - Robin of Locksley (our hero)
Morgan Freeman - Azeem (the loyal side kick with a life debt to Robin)
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio - Marian Dubois (the love interest of the film)
Alan Rickman - Sheriff of Nottingham (the bad guy)
Christian Slater - Will Scarlett (the double crossing outlaw)
Nick Brimble - Little John (the leader of the outlaws who accepts robin into the group)
Daniel Newman - Wulf (Little John's son who gets captured by the sheriff)
Michael McShane - Friar Tuck (the man of the clothe who likes beer and helps the outlaws)
Brian Blessed - Lord Locksley (cameo appearance, Robin's father)
Michael Wincott - Guy of Gisborne (The Sheriff's sidekick and cousin, also evil)
Walter Sparrow - Duncan (Robin's servant who has lost his sight)

--- Tech Info ---

Run Time - 149 mins
Aspect widescreen (16:9)
Languages - English (Dolby 5.1)
Subtitles - English
Certification - PG (although only just)
Director - Kevin Reynolds
Writers -Pen Densham and John Watson
Year of Release - 1991

--- Special Features ---

This edition is jam packed full of features on two discs.

Disc 1:
Feature Length Commentaries: there are two commentaries, one with Kevin Costner and Kevin Reynolds and the other with Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater. Both of these are really interesting and informative and full of facts and experiences of the cast and crew.

Disc 2:
Making-Of Documentary: a fantastic feature which has a lot of historical information in it. Well worth watching.
Interviews with the Film's Stars: short interviews with each of the main actor/actresses, they're interesting, but nothing particularly special.
Bryan Adams Live performing '(Everything I Do) I do it for you'. This is great and really enjoyable to watch and listen to.
Theatrical Trailers: the bog standard trailer that every single DVD out seems to have, nothing special.

--- Overall Thoughts ---

Everything about this film is great without exception. Well worth watching and something that I would definitely recommend. If I could only have one film on a desert island (and a DVD player obviously) then I would seriously consider having this film. If you haven't seen this film you really have to ask yourself, why not?

Hope this review has been helpful

Chris
 

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