The new Robin Hood by Ridley Scott premiered in the whole of France at the same time, that is to say in La Châtre too (Cinéma Lux).
This story is somewhat different compared to the much older 'classic' versions with Douglas Fairbanks (Sr) and Errol Flynn, later on Kevin Costner and others.
In the older versions - especially the Fairbanks and Flynn-versions - the focus is more on Robin Hood, 'the outlaw' and his particularly controversial position towards the sheriff of Nottingham and the king.
In this film we get to know more about Robin Hood (Russel Crowe) before he became 'Hood' and fighted with Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) as Robin Longstride, the archer.
When Richard the Lionheart dies he is succeeded by his brother John (Oscar Isaac), who already before the death of Lionheart conspired against his brother in order to gain control over the country as king.
When - among others - Johns 'special adviser', Godfrey (Mark Strong) conspires against John, the latter is obliged to use Robin Longstride and his man, including others who he earlier had looked down on and betrayed, fighting side by side towards Godfrey and not least the French king, whom Godrey is allied with.
A contract is drawn up, under the pressure of Longstride and his men, including human rights and other advantages for the population if they conquer the French king and his men.
John agrees but later on he betray those who have helped him, of course.
The film ends with the following (roughly quoted): "...and here starts the legend...", that is to say after John has betrayed the people and becomes the ally of the sheriff of Nottingham.
The film also circles around how Robin met Marion (Cate Blanchett) and becomes her husband.
It's a well produced story but not at all extraordinary.
The idea of beginning with the 'before Robin became Hood'-story is'nt a bad idea at all and of course there are battle scenes like in the old versions.
We also get to meet Robins later to be 'outlaw'-friends; Little John (Kevin Durand) and Friar Tuck (Mark Addy) among others.
However well produced I lacked the specific description of the different characters, something I think I found in older versions.
Friar Tuck, Little John, the sheriff of Nottingham (Matthew Macfadyen) and others become rather bleak and anonymous individuals in this version.
On the other hand I very much liked the characterization of Marion who is described as a very tough and independent woman, knowing how to run a farm as well as fight with the sword when needed.
Russel Crowe as Robin, lacks the humour and charm that characterized the Fairbanks- and Flynn- Hoods.
I guess even a freedom fighter has the right being humourous from time to time?
In this version Robin becomes a rather stiff and uncharismatic person with two or three different facial expressions.
Max von Sydow appears as the blind father to Marion and profiting from his age his character becomes a wise, warm and courageous person.
This story is somewhat different compared to the much older 'classic' versions with Douglas Fairbanks (Sr) and Errol Flynn, later on Kevin Costner and others.
In the older versions - especially the Fairbanks and Flynn-versions - the focus is more on Robin Hood, 'the outlaw' and his particularly controversial position towards the sheriff of Nottingham and the king.
In this film we get to know more about Robin Hood (Russel Crowe) before he became 'Hood' and fighted with Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) as Robin Longstride, the archer.
When Richard the Lionheart dies he is succeeded by his brother John (Oscar Isaac), who already before the death of Lionheart conspired against his brother in order to gain control over the country as king.
When - among others - Johns 'special adviser', Godfrey (Mark Strong) conspires against John, the latter is obliged to use Robin Longstride and his man, including others who he earlier had looked down on and betrayed, fighting side by side towards Godfrey and not least the French king, whom Godrey is allied with.
A contract is drawn up, under the pressure of Longstride and his men, including human rights and other advantages for the population if they conquer the French king and his men.
John agrees but later on he betray those who have helped him, of course.
The film ends with the following (roughly quoted): "...and here starts the legend...", that is to say after John has betrayed the people and becomes the ally of the sheriff of Nottingham.
The film also circles around how Robin met Marion (Cate Blanchett) and becomes her husband.
It's a well produced story but not at all extraordinary.
The idea of beginning with the 'before Robin became Hood'-story is'nt a bad idea at all and of course there are battle scenes like in the old versions.
We also get to meet Robins later to be 'outlaw'-friends; Little John (Kevin Durand) and Friar Tuck (Mark Addy) among others.
However well produced I lacked the specific description of the different characters, something I think I found in older versions.
Friar Tuck, Little John, the sheriff of Nottingham (Matthew Macfadyen) and others become rather bleak and anonymous individuals in this version.
On the other hand I very much liked the characterization of Marion who is described as a very tough and independent woman, knowing how to run a farm as well as fight with the sword when needed.
Russel Crowe as Robin, lacks the humour and charm that characterized the Fairbanks- and Flynn- Hoods.
I guess even a freedom fighter has the right being humourous from time to time?
In this version Robin becomes a rather stiff and uncharismatic person with two or three different facial expressions.
Max von Sydow appears as the blind father to Marion and profiting from his age his character becomes a wise, warm and courageous person.
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