Robin Hood (2010)

DVD CASE/ SIDE

Length of film:  140 Minutes (Director’s Cut:155 Minutes)

Rated: 12A

Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Matthew Macfadyen, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston,

IMDB Rank: 6.6/ 10

Part 1 Time: 88 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 100 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: 52 Minutes (Director’s Cut 55 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Godfrey (Mark Strong) tells his attendant to inform the King of France that England is ripe for invasion.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I’ll make the place famous,” Godfrey states.

First line of dialogue on the second part: At a party in Nottingham, Sir Walter Loxely (Max Von Sydow) speaks with Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), “Music, laughter, the crackle of a bonfire and a roasting pig. Life has returned.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Godfrey (an English knight who has been collaborating with the French) is attacking villages within Britain, hoping to creating civil unrest. With Godfrey being successful, King Phillip of France prepares his army for invasion. Will France be successful in conquering the British?

Which part is better? The film depicts the origin of the legendary ‘Robin Hood’ character prior to his feud with King John (Oscar Isaac) and is not yet a legendary outlaw. Besides the siege of Chalus Castle, part one is relatively dull and serves as a build up to the final confrontation between the British and the French. For this reason, part two is better as ‘Robin Hood’ leads the British into battle against the French, resulting in a bittersweet ending and the emergence of a famed folk hero.

Academy Awards: None