Not Another Movie about a Classic Tale - Robin of the Hood !

In Robin Hood or should I say Robin Longstride, the movie version of 2010, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Banchett and directed by Ridley Scott, you know there may be something wortwhile here.

If you like adventure, costume drama wth authenticity, romance, battles, crowd scenes, beautiiful landscape, comedy, pathos, then... read on.

If not...stop right here...because you'il be nauseated and bored to tears.

Two big movie stars - Crowe and Blanchett - signal either the movie is desperate for good actors or this is a good story that good actors like.

Well, in my opinion, it is a good story told within a good movie. It's quite unlike any of the movies about Robin Hood I've seen so far.

It tries to portray why he became an outlaw and why Marion joined in the process.

There is much sword fighting and many battles and great horsemanship as you can expect from a classic medieval tale, with some humour thrown in and a little romance between Robin and Marion..

What I particularly like is the cinematography. It's breathtaking. Great landscape and crowd scenes with at tall proud castle dominating the skyscape at one stage.

I hate battle scenes - people dying, graphic display of violence, bloodgushing out, all that kind of thing. I usually don't look, if I'm enjoying the movie. Otherwise I turn it off. if you want blood and guts - you'll get plenty here in this movie with music to support the emotions invoked.

Authenticism is the key to the retelling of this movie tale of 2010. Real English accents, not a hint of American. Crowe has some kind of strange English country accent that doesn't sound right and his voice is very deep. No one know what a 13th century accent would sound like and Blanchett has the most believable one - whatever that means.

The images of brown, black and grey colours with the occasional dash of some bright colour gives this movie an atmosphere of stark reality, which I think is convincing.

Large crowd scenes are pitched against various characters as as a kind of backdrop, so we don't forget where we are.

There are many beautiful sweeping images of green landscape and forest scenes and darker images of the sea with wild waves and danger.

There's one water scene I love showing the king's boats rowing upstream (maybe it was downstream) on the Thames. The reality of the rowing power with disciplined rhythm is a great dispaly of the King's majesty, power and control over his land.

The coordination of that scene in preparation must have been a nightmare to organise. It looks stunning and so controlled, adding to the widescreen visual look. And the music helps also.

The various camera angles give scope to the height and depth of the castle, the landscape, the forest, the battle scenes, the sea images. Each image is wonderfully composed with a lasting effect - and the music helps too.

There is a great display of wood and stone to create the once-opon-a-time effect of the medieval buildings. There is a great contrast between the majestic castle and the lowly peasants' huts.

Quiet dark corridors within the castle tell their own story within chambers, behind curtains - all adding to King John's evergrowing menacing power.

The detail of the authenticism caught my eye when Philip of France drunk from what looked like an antique wine glass. Great detail here. However on another occasion i saw a kind of dancing that didn't look ancient - more like something from someone's imagination and the music didn't help here either.

Fans of Crowe and Blanchett can make up their own mind as to whether they were well cast or otherwise. I could write a whole hub about it, if the truth be told.

Fans of the various other actors will be surprised by the roles they play.

Danny Huston, son of John Huston, plays King Richard while Oscar Isaac plays King John to great effect.

William Hurt has an interesting role and, in my opinion, just about manages an English accent.

The Englsih actor Matthew Macfaydon (known for his role in Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly), plays The Sheriff of Nottingham and his accent is correct. Good actor with very convincing behaviour and looks great too. I still think of his role as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, starring opposite Keira Knightly is his best role so far - then again I love Pride and Prejudice, if you didn't get that already.

There are the usual comedic scenes to provide that lightness needed after heavy duty battle scenes. Though i think a little more comedy would have helped - but then again I'm a comedy fan!

The little romance between Crowe and Blanchett just about makes it at the end. There is none of the usual heaving breathing sex scenes and subtle looks that can create an undercurrent of excitment for the audience. I think thye played it with too much restraint.

She plays the role of a bossy woman of a household used to her own way, though she's not rude or unkind. He's rather taciturn and they don't quite make that mark for me. Maybe it's the casting or the lack of onscreen chemistry.

You decide - go rent the DVD and give yourself over to an evening's entertainment that will help you forget about economic recessions and cold weather. It will be well worth the time spent. The imagery and the music alone will stimulate and entertain your senses if nothing else!

Let me know what you think of this review and if you've seen the movie.

The following sites gives more detail on the history of the legend of Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood forest and Barnsdale, near Notthinhamshire in England. Onee sites also has interviews with some of the actors from the latest movie.

Check it out if you're a fan of the man.

http://www.boldoutlaw.com/

 http://www.boldoutlaw.com/robpics/

Name Your Favorite Classic Tale?

Was There a Movie Made of It?

Which actor have you enjoyed the best for the role of Robin Hood?