A Modern Twist on a Classic Tale

The story of Robin Hood, the thief that steals from the rich and gives to the poor, is one that most people have heard before. However, in the 2018 film, Robin Hood, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, the story is retold through a modern lens. While the film includes many aspects of the original tale, it also adds many new ones that help to give the movie the modern Hollywood feel. The film is a mix of realistic medieval ideas, as well as exaggerated and stereotypical "medieval" aspects.

Returning to England after being injured while fighting in the Crusades, Lord Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) is shocked to see his estate abandoned and his love gone. He soon learns that the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham is responsible for both his condemned home and everyone he left behind believing that he had died in battle two years prior to his return. Determined to take revenge for all that he has lost, Robin joins forces with a local Friar named Tuck and a vengeful Arabian soldier named John (Jamie Foxx). The combination of the Friar's insider influence, Robin's shooting skills, and John's unwavering determination to put an end to the Crusades make for the perfect thorn in the Sheriff's side. Robin, quickly dubbed 'Robin Hood' for his piercing arrows and hooded attire, leads the band of misfits as they work to overthrow the Sheriff's power and control by robbing him of everything he has.

Set in the 12th century, the film is full of references to the Middle Ages, some more accurate than others. While the movie does include some realistic medieval aspects, its representation of the Middle Ages is very 'Hollywood'. The clothing worn by the characters is very modern and did not entirely seem to fit with the 12th century, some examples include khakis with perfectly cut pockets and a shiny leather jacket. While the clothing of the peasantry was relatively realistic, the clothing of the main characters and nobles seemed out of place. However, people that have not learned of the Middle Ages may not notice this detail. Along with attire, hairstyles within the film also had a modern feel to them. Another aspect of the film that did not feel quite 'medieval' was the phrases and words used. The script was full of lines that made it harder to immerse oneself in the medieval feeling. While there were parts of the film that did not fit with the Middle Ages, there were also aspects that did. Ther various forms of technology and weaponry used throughout the story were all fairly accurate. Watermills, bows and arrows, and crossbows are a few examples of realistic medieval ideas incorporated into the film. Medieval architecture was greatly represented, from castles to churches. The film did a good job of demonstrating the different architecture types in the Middle Ages, including that of the nobility and that of the lower class. Lastly, heraldry was a prominent detail of the film in war scenes, as well as during meetings of the nobility. Overall, the film was a mixture of realistic medieval details and the exaggerated medievalism of Hollywood.

Robin Hood (2018) fits in with the average 'medieval' films that come from Hollywood. With its exaggerated battle scenes, romance, and vigilante aspects, it reminds me of many films that I have seen before. Even though the film is not one of my favorites, I do have to admit that I do not believe that the film deserves the 5.3/10 and 15% ratings that it received on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes respectively. While I would not recommend the film as a learning tool for teachers to teach the Middle Ages, I think it could have been much worse. It was easy to see the great cinematography that went into the making of the film such as camera angles, special effects, and overall quality. I would recommend this film to anyone that wants to see a modern twist on a classic tale, and to anyone who loves action-packed films with a tad bit of romance.

This film can be found on multiple media websites, but it does have to be paid for. I personally used vudo.com and rented it for $13.99

SOURCES:

IMBd: Chandler, Ben, et al. “Robin Hood.” IMDb, 20 Nov. 2018, www.imdb.com/title/tt4532826/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2019.

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