Just another Robin Hood remake?

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Robin Longstride

Robin and Marian

The mystique which surrounds real life icons like Robin Hood is spoiled each time a filmmaker strives to give a new interpretation to the historic tale. Taking this fact into account Ridley Scott's 2010 movie should not have been titled Robin Hood in the first place since it is more of an epic action movie than a Robin Hood tale. For starters it does not tally with the legendary tale of the man with a hooded mask.

Scott's Robin Hood starts off as Robin Longstride, a common archer in Richard the Lionheart's army. Richard is killed while trying to bring down a French castle. Coincidently Robin ends up in possession of Richard's crown as well as the identity of Richard's most trusted retainers, Robert of Loxley. After witnessing the coronation of Richard's sly brother, John, Robin heads North to fulfill Robert's dying request: to present his sword to his father.

The story takes a complicated turn when Robert's father suggests that Robin continues the deception, posing as the dead Robert in the household. This leads to feisty conflicts with Robert's former wife, Marian, a stirring speech promoting the Magna Carta and a hard won battle with the vicious Sir Godfrey, who plays a dual role as the trustee of King John but works against him with the French.

This is a new cinematic treatment of the epic. It is not your typical tale of 'stealing from the rich and give to the needy' or the Merry Men of Sherwood forest outsmarting the vile sheriff of Nottingham but the story of dispossession and rebellion which links some of the historic incidents of the time together and brings them on the reel in one package.

Gladiator may have worked for Scott ten years ago but even though Russell Crow delivers an applaudable performance, he does not quite suite our image of Robin Hood. Nor does Cate Blanchett really get into the shoes of the enchanting Marian. The characters are middle aged and beefy rather than young and enchanting. However their vigour and acting talents tries to make up for these visual shortcomings. Oscar Isaac and Mark Strong too dish out a noteworthy performances as the callow King John and evil Sir Godfrey. However the characters of Friar Tuck, Merry Men and the sheriff of Nottingham are hardly noticeable. More substance could have been brought to the story by using the presence of these well known characters in a broader scale.

The backdrop comprising rustic environs and age old castles are impressive. The director had captured the essence of the period beautifully and brought it before the audience. He had made maximum use of the scenes with charging horsemen, hand-to-hand combat, deadly arrows falling from the sky and glistening swords to keep the audience engaged. Costume designer Janty Yates and art directors David Allday, Karen Wakefield and Ray Chan too should be commended for their effort. Too many Robin Hood movies have already been made.

Scott's version embodies nothing exceptional except that at certain instances you are reminded of scenes from Galdiator and Peter Pan. The script also lacks light hearted moments which could have made it easier for the audience to endure its two and a half hour run.