Chris
It’s hard to do justice to just how seminal Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was for a particular group of kids when it came out in 1991. I was nine the summer it opened, and I remember it—along with Batman and Dick Tracy—as one of the first times I truly got caught up in the hype surrounding a movie. To me, it was primed to be the cinematic event of 1991, and in the run-up to its release I bought the making-of book, the comic-book adaptation, and even the novelization.
Looking back now, it’s easy to say there were movies released that same summer that probably had a bigger impact on me, namely Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Point Break, both of which rank among the greatest action movies ever made. Even so, I still have a tremendous fondness for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: An Unconventional but Memorable Hero
A big-budget, high-adventure take on the Robin Hood myth, the film sought to update the classic story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men for the 1990s. Forget the green tights worn so memorably by Errol Flynn in the still-classic The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)—this was designed to be a grittier, darker reimagining, albeit one still packed with enough swashbuckling adventure to appeal to a generation raised on Indiana Jones.
Many people now mock Kevin Costner’s casting, noting how he occasionally attempts an English accent before largely abandoning it as the movie progresses. Yet I still think he’s terrific in the role. Sure, it’s an Americanized 1991 version of Robin Hood, but for me it works as a reinvention of the character. Would it be approached the same way today? Probably not. Then again, there have been numerous Robin Hood adaptations in recent years (as well as the intriguing Death of Robin Hood on the way this summer), and none have demonstrated the staying power of Prince of Thieves, which was a genuine blockbuster.
Alan Rickman, Michael Kamen, and Spectacular Practical Action
While many viewers get bogged down by Costner’s distinctly American delivery, they often overlook just how impressive the action sequences are. Director Kevin Reynolds staged everything practically, giving the film a tangible sense of scale and excitement that many modern adventure films struggle to replicate.
The production design is superb, as is the cinematography—although I’ve always found it curious that the movie was shot in a flat 1.85:1 aspect ratio rather than a wider scope format. Perhaps best of all is Michael Kamen’s score, which may well be the finest work of his career.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Alan Rickman delivers one of cinema’s great scenery-chewing villain performances as the Sheriff of Nottingham, stealing virtually every scene he appears in. Meanwhile, Morgan Freeman makes for an effortlessly cool companion as Azeem, the Moor whose friendship with Robin gives the film much of its heart.
How Good Is the Arrow Video 4K Release?
Arrow Video has done an excellent job with this 4K restoration. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was one of the earliest films released on DVD, and that edition was notorious for its poor transfer quality (although it was re-released a bunch of times after and looked fine). The movie looks the way it was meant to, sourced from the 35mm negative.
The set also includes the longer director’s cut, which primarily adds scenes involving the Sheriff of Nottingham. While Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the movie’s highlights, I’ve always felt these additions slightly bog down an already lengthy running time.
The film previously received an extensive special-edition DVD and Blu-ray release, so nearly all of those supplements have been carried over. Highlights include two audio commentary tracks, one featuring Costner and Reynolds. Given their famously contentious relationship during production—one that would flare up again on Waterworld before they eventually reunited for Hatfields & McCoys—their participation is especially interesting.
There’s also a newly produced documentary that focuses largely on the film’s scripting and technical achievements, although it’s a shame none of the major cast members took part. The package additionally includes the music video for Bryan Adams’ iconic hit, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You.”
Why Bryan Adams’ Theme Song Was Essential to the Movie’s Success
As someone who lived through 1991, let me tell you: Bryan Adams’ theme song was a huge reason this movie became such a phenomenon. The song was absolutely inescapable, dominating radio, television, and music charts around the world. Its popularity helped turn Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves into far more than just another summer blockbuster—it became a cultural event.
Final Verdict
If you’re a fan of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves—and if you’re a regular JoBlo reader, I have a hunch you are—this Arrow Video 4K release is an easy recommendation (buy it HERE). While some may view the film as a miscast curiosity from the early 1990s, I still see it as a formative adventure movie that captures a unique moment in blockbuster filmmaking.
This new special edition finally gives the film the presentation it deserves, and I’m thrilled to have such a handsome 4K release on my shelf.
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