Since the latest Robin Hood is in theaters, let's take a look back at the previous films in the franchise. While Robin Hood has made appearances since cinema existed, it is good to return to three major works of the mythology of the hoodie: Ridley Scott's version, Kevin Costner's version and of course the Disney animated classic.
Robin Hood animated version: probably the best adaptation
Basically, Robin Hood is a legendary hero from the Middle Ages, subject of an oral tradition. It is very quickly used in novels from the fourteenth century with works such as Piers Plowman by William Langland. According to urban legend, Robin Hood was a big-hearted robber who lived hidden in Sherwood Forest. Inevitably from this story film adaptations had to see the light of day.
In 1974 Disney seized the myth of Robin Hood to create an undeniably cult animated film. Wolfgang Reitherman, director of many Disney anime, such as The Jungle Book, directs this animated adaptation of the thief with the big heart. Robin Hood and Marianne become foxes, Little John is a bear, Prince John is a lion, while the sheriff is a wolf. In short, in the manner of Jean de la Fontaine's fables, Disney represents the protagonists of this cult story in animals. Of course the choices of these animals are not trivial. Each having the character traits given to this bestiary. Obviously Robin Hood is clever as a fox, the sheriff is a scavenger, and the prince a capricious king who uses his subjects in the manner of the lion vis-à-vis the lionesses. This anime is an intelligent critique of our society and gives a new face to the rebellion spawned by Robin Hood. A clever cartoon that bypasses the classic myth to give it a whole new impetus. In short, a timeless classic.
Kevin Costner, Prince of Thieves
In 1991 one of the most cult versions of all time was released. Kevin Reynolds (Waterworld) directs this new adaptation where Kevin Costner wears the thief's hood. A version that transpires the 1990s. A relatively pop adaptation, which children are happy to see again every year at Christmas on French television channels. Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves has become relatively cult. The kind of movie that everyone has seen without being the ultimate masterpiece. A cool movie that entered the popular consciousness. After all, for many people, Robin Hood remains Kevin Costner. This Prince of Thieves is a fast-paced film, which allows some successful action sequences and an important premise of sympathy. The rest of the cast supports this feeling with actors from another generation: Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman and Christian Slater.
Robin des Scott
The latest adaptation, without the one released this Wednesday, dates from 2010. Ridley Scott is at the helm and decides to remake his Gladiator, but this time with the universe of Robin Hood. Inevitably, Russell Crowe is part of the party and interprets the hero. Ridley Scott assembles a top-notch cast to tell this story that he will totally darken. Cate Blanchett plays an older Marianne, Max von Sydow plays Sire Loxley, while the rest of the cast consists of William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston and Léa Seydoux. In short, a four-star cast perfectly directed by Scott. The latter signs a darker version of the adventures of Robin Hood. The protagonists are no longer kids as in many adaptations, like the last one, they have settled down, and evolve in a much harder world. Prince John's hegemony is more felt, the violence is more raw, and this version is very entertaining. But this Robin Hood cannot avoid suffering from the comparison with Gladiator…
Robin of what?
Then comes the 2018 version directed by Otto Bathurst. And that's the drama… A new version totally blockbusterized or the adventures have little to do with the basic mythology. Robin Hood is played by Taron Egerton while Little John takes the features of Jamie Foxx. Stupid blockbuster this latest Robin Hood is unreadable, offers ugly action scenes and sloppy special effects. Only excessively used slow motion can potentially offer some beautiful things to see. The cast is lost, the situations are heartbreaking, the dialogues embarrassing, and the visual of the film has little to do with the time. In short, a watered-down version, which tried to modernize the myth in the manner of Sherlock Holmes, Pirates of the Caribbean or King Arthur without succeeding.
At present, Robin Hood has had 24 films in his likeness from 1938 to today. A significant number of adaptations, especially for a character, certainly interesting, but who has not evolved a hair for a century.
