Robin Hood (2010) Film Review

Robin Hood (2010) Film Review

The story of Robin Hood is about an outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. More than just a common thief, Robin Hood was a fighter, lover, and nobleman. Robin of Lockstride fought in the third crusade in France. During which, King Richard the Lionhearted was struck by a fatal arrow. When trying to return to England, he discovered a plot against England. England was to be invaded by France and King Phillip. When he uncovered this plot, he promised a knight that he would return the sword to his father in Nottingham. Once he returned, he went to Nottingham to give back the sword. However, upon his return he spoke to the Lord. The Lord agreed that he would remain with the family, but he had to take another's name. He was married to Lady Marion. This is where the famous stories of Robin Hood begin.

The film is set in 1199, just after the Third Crusade. The film does a good job of representing the time period. During the film there are a few solid examples that relate to the Middle Ages. One theme that I noticed was how they used hygiene and cleansing. Relating to the medieval time period, baths were not an everyday chore and they were not accessible by everyone. Throughout the movie you can see that they weren't either. The only way they washed was by dipping their hands in a small bowl of water and rinsing it over their faces. Another example of how the movie represented the time period well was the armor and weapons that the knights used. The knights used chain mail and steal armor. Their armor was also accompanied by swords, crossbows, or bows and arrows, which was appropriate for the time period.

The main story line of the movie was regarding the sword that needed to be returned to Nottingham. The sword’s return was requested by the knight just before his death. The sword was a relic of the family and it needed to be returned to his father. This plot represents the Middle Ages well because swords were important, and this one was clearly a relic because of the engravings and whom it belonged to. Another story line dealt with King John. When King John was in charge, he wanted to make sure he knew everyone's business, how much each person was worth, and details of their lives. This was all factual, it was an example of the Domesday book that King William created in 1086 after his invasion.

However, there was one way I thought the movie didn't present the truth well. This was when King Richard the Lionhearted died. In real life he was struck by an arrow in the shoulder that killed him. It took four days for him to die and it was thought that the arrow may have been poisoned. But in the movie, when he was struck by the arrow, the arrow hit his neck and he died at the scene. The other inaccuracy that stood out to me was how the peasants were represented. They were always seen as dirty and poor. When in fact, most did have some money and quite often good living conditions.

Overall, I thought the movie was interesting. The movie did a fair job representing Robin Hood and much of England in the Medieval time period. It of course had some fantasy aspects, as Robin Hood or anyone will not be that good. Besides that, it had nothing that stood out us completely unrealistic to me. However I do think this movie is not the best for class. The movie focuses more on the story line rather than the story of Robin Hood.