Movie : Robin and Marion

Robin and Little John are still stuck in France working for King Richard. They are ordered to take a run down pathetic castle to retrieve some kind of bounty. It all ends with a wimper. No treasure, Richard taking an arrow in the neck (thrown by an old man). Robin and his king have a falling out. Richard dies. After 20 years away fighting in the Crusades, Robin and Little John decide to return to England and Sherwood Forest where things are much the same as when they left. They hook up with some old friends and enemies and Robin and maid Marion rekindle their interrupted romance.

This film is far from an epic period piece with a huge cast and lots of staged battles. It’s stripped down and tells the story of an older Robin returning to England and picking up where he left off as a young man. Only he isn’t young anymore and the glory days are behind him. His time has past but he gives it a go anyway. Richard Lester tells the story with a subtle touch. Lots of humor, good camera work , locations that bring the feel of the times. But the thing he has going for him is the cast.

Richard Harris as King Richard isn’t around long but his scenes and banter with Connery are good. Robert Shaw as the Sherriff turns in his usual quiet strong performance. Nicol Williamson as little John is perfect. You believe that he and Robin have one of those special friendships. Lots of other good support.

Hepburn and Connery are good together and separate. I bought their relationship. Two good actors who knew how to make the characters real and believable. You really feel Hepburn’s love for Robin with sadness being part of it.

Sean Connery is perfect as Hood. He is such a natural actor. He brings a man child quality. He just makes everyone around him better because he keeps it real. His subtle humor works for me. Not many actors can pull it off. Great performance. Hepburn loves this side of Robin but also is sad about it. She knows he’ll never retire from being an outlaw.

Robin and Marian is not over produced, no epic battles (Real good one on one with Connery and Shaw), CGI none of that. What it does have is good performances, humor , some sword play and a romantic story. I like this film and so did my Gal. She was a teary mess at the end.

If you want to see Robin a little older, stiffer, banged up and still trying to show his girl he’s the same man, you might like this.