Robin & Marian | Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn | Delightfully Underrated Film: After A Nine Year...

Robin & Marian | Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn | love it

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Robin & Marian

	Robin & Marian Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn Sony Pictures, 1996 average customer review:based on 41 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

This underrated Richard Lester film is really a classic--and one of the most romantic movies ever made. Working from James Goldman's script, Lester casts Sean Connery as an aged Robin Hood, returned after years away at the Crusades with an increasingly mad King Richard (Richard Harris). Robin and Little John (a very funny Nicol Williamson) return to find that the sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw) is up to his old nasty tricks--and that Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn) is now a nun. Lester brings the same touch to this period film that he did to The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, blending authenticity with a knowing wink at the conventions of period films. But the heart of this film is the very palpable emotion between Hepburn and Connery (and between Connery and Williamson). The ending is guaranteed three hankies, minimum. --Marshall Fine

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Delightfully Underrated Film: After A Nine Year Hiatus Audrey Hepburn Is Electrifying In Her Performance Alongside Sean Connery

This review is for "Robin and Marian" (Widescreen 2002 Edition)
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONCE AGAIN AMAZON HAS LUMPED REVIEWS FOR ALL VERSIONS OF "Robin and Marian," THUS DENIGRATING THIS DVD VERSION!!!

I have always been a fan of Robin Hood shows, and when "Robin and Marian" came out I was thrilled to see this "new" take on the legend. I must admit, however, that I was a bit skeptical of the fact that Audrey Hepburn (who portrays Lady Marian) was in the film. The only movie I had ever liked her in was her "last movie" (Hepburn said this) in 1967--"Wait Until Dark"--the best thrill/horror movie I have ever seen. But Hepburn's performance in "Robin and Marian" turned me into a fan of her spectacular acting abilities--"Always" (her actual last movie) being a beautiful homage to a phenomenal film career. Sean Connery, as Robin Hood, and Nicol Williamson, as "Little" John, seemed to have been born for their respective roles. While many viewers of my generation automatically associate Sean Connery with his James Bond films, whenever I hear his name the first movie that comes to my mind is "Robin and Marian" (albeit, "The Hunt for Red October" and "First Knight" are close runner ups). Another actor for whom I have never been particularly fond of until I saw him in "Robin and Marian," was Robert Shaw. However, like so many of the other cast members, Shaw was absolutely brilliant as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

For me there are a number of things that make "Robin and Marian" stand out from other Robin Hood shows, and, for that matter, romances. First and foremost is the notion of viewing the Robin Hood and Marian legend at the climax, rather than at the peek, of their lives. Robin and Marian are in their 40s--which in the late ll00s was unusually old--and both Connery and Hepburn (along with most of the rest of the cast) fit their roles perfectly. It is delightful to watch as these worn and "used" characters try to recapture, and live, life as if they are still in their late teens or early twenties. The love and romance--which must be distinguished from today's diluted versions or concepts--portrayed by Hepburn and Connery is deep, passionate, beautiful, and real. But that love and romance is not played out in overt acts; rather is is subtle and true to the times they were depicting. (Notions of idealized love and romance were just beginning to emerge in European thinking during the 12th and 13th centuries). In my unprofessional opinion, the fact that "Robin and Marian" dared to look at love (or, more correctly, re-kindled love) between "older" characters--especially characters that most people think of and films portray as younger persona--was too uncomfortable for most viewers, and this is why "Robin and Marian" has not received the acclaim it deserves.

Secondly, "Robin and Marian" is boldly "realistic" in its portrayal of life in the late 1100s and early 1200s. There is nothing "romantic" about how people are living, or the actions of Robin Hood and other characters. The world is wet, muddy, cold, and dirty; nobody has a change of cloths--they sleep and wear the same cloths every day (except for the few "aristocrats"). It shows the characters to be: honorable and profane; capable but fallible; dark yet caring; culpable and responsible. There is a wonderful humanness to the portrayals lacking in so many films. "Robin and Marion" dares to show a nun cursing and people's ambiguity about God and religion--another aspect that most likely does not bode well with many viewers. And in doing so, examines--indirectly--the question of just how God fits into each person's life. Yet the characters, including the Sheriff of Nottingham, are all overtly pious--even if they are hypocritical as well.

Third, "Robin and Marian" boldly portrays the love and companionship of the relationship between John and Robin, John, Robin and Marian, and, more covertly, between Robin and the Sheriff. That is, "Robin and Marian" is a "buddies" movie in the vein of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) right down to the "three-way love triangle" between the two buddies and the one buddy's lady; (all be it, without the great songs). Moreover, "Robin and Marian" does not inject judgment upon the characters; that is, no character is good or bad, they are human. Some characters are "strong", others are not; but all have their own values and their shared values. Again, the film does not pass judgment on these values. As a result, the final confrontation, and the culminating fight scene between the Sheriff and Robin as "Champions" or their respective "armies," is a bold artistic move. (Sadly, this too, most likely leaves too many viewers wanting to see more violence and combat). The resulting "fight" is absolutely wonderful and "realistic" of how conflicts were frequently settled. Connery and Shaw are absolutely spectacular as two "over the hill" warriors too proud to back down or quit. The scenes are amazing, passionate, and enthralling; even loving. And while neither side abides by the result of the fight and disorder rules the day, Robin--seriously, if not mortally, wounded--is helped by John and Marian to the Abbey where the "truth" of the day is memorialized by Marian's actions and Robin's words.

Fourth, "Robin and Marian" dares to take a page (or maybe more) from "Romeo and Juliet." Marian confesses her love to Robin, and, for her, commits her greatest sin: she tells Robin "I love you more than God himself." Intoned in the scene is the "romantic" idea that the only way Marian can ever truly have Robin is in death; and so, Marian poisons them both. While initially irate, Robin realizes that he "will never have another day like this." And then ask John to bury them together wherever "the arrow lands." It is poetic and dark; it is sad, yet beautiful. But then, Franco Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) is perhaps my favorite movie (although another under appreciated film, Lewis Gilbert's "Friends" (1971)--also about young lovers and sacrifice--is right up there on my list). For me, then, "Robin and Marian" captures the essence of love, romance and friendship, three of the most important things that make the world go around--be it in life or death.

If you have not seen "Robin and Marian," I cannot say enough good about it. But I will "warn" that it is a thoughtful and "quiet" film, not an action or emotionally romantic movie. To a degree, I suppose it is an artsy type movie as well. But most of all, it is brilliant entertainment with three outstanding actors: Audrey Hepburn, Sean Connery, and Robert Shaw. It is a film worthy of accolades and appreciation that it has not received. "Robin and Marian" is a film that needs to gain the recognition it deserves, and, as such I strongly recommend it--even if you normally would not venture into a film about Robin Hood or this time period. "Robin and Marian" is a DVD (I just got mine because my VHS is wearing out) that can proudly stand in most collections. Lastly, please don't think that because the film is "old" (1976) that it has lost its luster. I believe that "Robin and Marion" will stand the test of time.

Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

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love it

loved this movie years ago and was thrilled to be able to own it. great story, robin hood back from the crusades. drama, laughs, armor and fights. what more could you want? and the times are portrayed realistically, (for Hollywood), people get dirty, the kings court is shown as much as it would have been.
hope you enjoy it as much as i

Classic Connery

Several years past his last Eon James Bond film finds Sean Connery hitting his stride. This was one of several truly memorable period pieces in that year or two (which included THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING and THE WIND AND THE LION). Great performances by Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw and Nicol Williamson. Also in a small part, Richard Harris as very mad Richard the Lionheart. A warm tale of love, aging with real chemistry between Connery and Hepburn. The end is a downer but it really had to be that way. No extras to speak of on this. One of Richard Lester's best films -- ranks with THREE & FOUR MUSKETEERS.

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Robin & Marian

This is an interesting interpretation of the old fable. It starts slow but picks up after Robin and Little John return to England. Sean Connery gives a fine performance as would be expected. Robert Shaw's interpretation as the Sheriff is wonderful. Not your ordinary Robin Hood story, but well worth the time to watch.

"Where this falls, John, put us close, and leave us there."

The film picks up the Robin Hood legend some twenty years after with Robin and his sidekick Little John return to their old Sherwood Forest embittered by King Richard, by the Crusades and their sickening brutality...

They're informed by former friends Friar Tuck and Will that the lovely Maid Marian now lives nearby, where she has become the abbess... And the sheriff is as powerful as ever and rules the country...

Marian greets Robin's return with mixed feelings, and tells him that, in the passed two decades, she worked hard studying herbs and medicines, and she loves her life and she won't give it up...

Of course, after the return of Robin, Marian could not imagine herself living in the world again, or even wanting to... But after he rescues her from his long time enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham, who tries to arrest her on religious grounds, the two become lovers once again...

As Robin, Connery is a little bit in love with death... He flirts, he teases, he challenges his strong enemy to a single combat to the death...

As Marian, Hepburn felt so little for so long...

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