Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 swashbuckling action-adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. It stars Kevin Costner as the legendary English outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. The film blends high-stakes adventure with romance, revenge, and political intrigue in medieval England. While it takes creative liberties, it remains one of the most memorable interpretations of the Robin Hood legend in modern cinema.

Detailed Summary

Escape from the Crusades

The film opens in Jerusalem, 1194. Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner) is imprisoned during the Crusades. With the help of fellow inmate Azeem (Morgan Freeman), a Moor, he escapes back to England, only to find his father murdered and his family lands seized.

Return to a Broken England

Upon returning to Nottingham, Robin finds the land under the iron-fisted rule of the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), who has allied with a witch-like seer named Mortianna and a group of occultist nobles. Robin’s father, a nobleman loyal to King Richard, was tortured and killed by the Sheriff’s men.

Building the Resistance

Robin flees to Sherwood Forest, where he meets a group of outlaws living in hiding. He gradually earns their trust and trains them to become a resistance force. Azeem stays by Robin’s side, honoring a life-debt. Robin also rekindles a relationship with Lady Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), the cousin of King Richard, who is under the Sheriff’s watch.

Clashes with the Sheriff

As Robin’s popularity grows, so does the Sheriff’s desperation. He begins to plot a forced marriage to Marian to gain royal legitimacy. In one of the film’s most intense and surreal scenes, he attempts to rape Marian under Mortianna’s influence. However, Robin and his band of outlaws attack the castle during the wedding ceremony.

Movie Ending (SPOILERS)

In the climactic final battle, Robin and his Merry Men storm Nottingham Castle to rescue Marian and stop the Sheriff. Azeem fights alongside Robin in a duel with the Sheriff, who is revealed to be Mortianna’s illegitimate son, manipulated for her occult plans.

The Sheriff proves to be a formidable enemy, nearly killing Robin in a savage hand-to-hand fight. However, Robin ultimately stabs him through the heart with a dagger. Moments later, Mortianna lunges at Robin with a concealed blade but is stopped by Azeem, who throws his scimitar from across the room, killing her and fulfilling his debt of honor.

The film ends with the surprise arrival of King Richard (played in a brief cameo by Sean Connery), who blesses the wedding of Robin and Marian and restores order to the kingdom. Robin declines any titles or wealth, choosing instead to remain with his people in Sherwood Forest.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The film ends definitively with King Richard’s arrival and the wedding, followed by a fade to black and Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” playing over the credits.

Type of Movie

• Genre: Action-adventure, historical drama, romance
• Tone: Darker and more grounded than previous Robin Hood adaptations, though still laced with adventure and humor
• Themes: Justice, loyalty, sacrifice, love, and social rebellion

Cast

• Kevin Costner as Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood)
• Morgan Freeman as Azeem
• Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lady Marian
• Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham
• Christian Slater as Will Scarlett
• Michael McShane as Friar Tuck
• Nick Brimble as Little John
• Geraldine McEwan as Mortianna
• Sean Connery (uncredited cameo) as King Richard

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Michael Kamen, known for his work on Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and The Iron Giant. The film’s musical identity is also heavily defined by Bryan Adams’ hit song “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”, which became a global chart-topper and a classic love ballad.

Filming Locations

• Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England (used for exterior castle scenes)
• Hadrian’s Wall (Robin and Azeem arrive in England here)
• Burnham Beeches and Black Park (Sherwood Forest sequences)
• Carcassonne, France (used for the film’s medieval town and castle scenes)

These authentic historical sites provided a grounded, gritty medieval atmosphere, enhancing the realism and scale of the film.

Awards and Nominations

• Won: Best Song at the Grammy Awards and MTV Movie Awards (Bryan Adams’ song)
• Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Song
• Alan Rickman won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his iconic performance
• The film had several Saturn Award nominations, particularly for its costume design and fantasy elements

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Kevin Costner was criticized for not using an English accent; he dropped it partway through filming.
• Alan Rickman reportedly turned down the Sheriff role twice, then accepted it on the condition he could play it with over-the-top flair—he even rewrote some of his own lines.
• Director Kevin Reynolds and Costner clashed during production; Reynolds reportedly walked away during post-production, leaving Costner to finish.
• Morgan Freeman’s character, Azeem, was created specifically for the film and did not exist in the traditional Robin Hood legends.
• Christian Slater’s character, Will Scarlett, was originally going to be revealed as Robin’s illegitimate brother—this was reworked to make him his half-brother instead.

Inspirations and References

• The film is loosely based on the Robin Hood legends, especially the 15th-century ballads and folklore.
• The addition of Azeem was inspired by real accounts of Moors participating in the Crusades, adding a multicultural dimension.
• The tone of the film draws from the gritty realism of Excalibur (1981) and the romantic-adventure style of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• A significant deleted subplot involved Mortianna being revealed as the Sheriff’s mother—this was later confirmed by filmmakers and appears in extended versions.
• In the extended edition, there is more detail about the Sheriff’s alliance with the occult and a deeper exploration of Marian’s role in the rebellion.
• A darker alternate ending, in early drafts, had Robin fatally wounded in the final battle. This was scrapped in favor of a triumphant conclusion.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not directly based on a specific book but draws heavily from traditional Robin Hood ballads and folk tales. Several novelizations were published to tie in with the film. The biggest difference from classic lore is the inclusion of Azeem and the supernatural elements through Mortianna’s character.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Robin’s escape from a Middle Eastern prison with Azeem
• The ambush on the sheriff’s men in Sherwood Forest
• Friar Tuck’s drunken rants and eventual alliance
• Robin’s defiant speech: “You have my word.”
• The chaotic, flaming treehouse battle

Iconic Quotes

• Robin: “I would die for you.”
• Sheriff of Nottingham: “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon!”
• Azeem: “Because it’s dull, you twit! It’ll hurt more.”
• Friar Tuck: “Let us learn the meaning of charity!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Sean Connery’s cameo as King Richard was kept secret and earned him a reported $250,000 for a single day of filming.
• Mortianna’s lair includes references to pagan witchcraft, such as runes and animal bones used as foresight tools.
• The Sheriff’s red-and-black color scheme throughout his costume reflects his descent into darkness and power lust.

Trivia

• The film was one of the highest-grossing movies of 1991.
• The treehouse set in Sherwood was so intricate that it was later used as a tourist attraction.
• The movie inspired an NES video game and various merchandise.
• Bryan Adams’ song spent 16 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the UK—still a record.

Why Watch?

• Alan Rickman’s performance alone is worth the price of admission—he steals every scene he’s in.
• A thrilling mix of action, romance, and medieval fantasy.
• A surprisingly progressive take (for 1991) on race and religion through Azeem’s character.
• It’s a Robin Hood story with grit, heart, and high adventure—ideal for fans of large-scale epics with strong character dynamics.

Director’s Other Movies

• Waterworld (1995)
• The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
• Tristan & Isolde (2006)
• Risen (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
• First Knight (1995)
• Excalibur (1981)
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Robin Hood (2010)