1340. Robin And Marian (1976)

Starring: Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw

Director: Richard Lester

Running Time: 106 mins

Robin And Marian is a British film following an aged Robin Hood as he returns to England from the Crusades. Upon reaching Nottinghamshire, he remembers his love Maid Marian, and so tries to win her back one last time.

This is a lovely film. It’s a happy, light-hearted and fun take on what Robin Hood and Maid Marian would be like at an older age, and the film pulls that premise off really well. I was smiling right the way through this movie, and the time absolutely flew by, so even though it may not be the most hilarious or fascinating story, it’s a wonderfully pleasant and enjoyable movie from start to finish.

Before I say anything else, though, I have to talk about the cast. The legendary line-up includes none other than Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw, Richard Harris and even Ronnie Barker as Friar Tuck. From that cast alone, you’ve got a good reason to watch this film, as all the actors do a great job at making this a convincing and enjoyable story, even if it is a stretch from the Robin Hood that we all know so well.

But that’s what I really loved about this film, that it took a beloved character and told a story about him that we’ve never seen before. It may not be as exciting as seeing Robin Hood majestically sweeping into Nottingham and saving the day again and again, but this film shows him and his friends in their middle age with a fantastic sense of humour, and that’s what makes this such an enjoyable watch.

Here, Robin Hood’s not the acrobatic outlaw that most stories show, nor is Maid Marian the damsel in distress, and the two often act more like an old married couple than forbidden lovers. However, the film goes about all of this in a humorous way, showing Robin Hood getting exhausted when trying to save the day, or Marian’s affectionate frustration with his and his Merry Men’s escapades against the Sheriff of Nottingham.

But it’s not just the humour and light-hearted atmosphere that make this such a great watch, because the story’s not bad either. Although titled Robin And Marian, this does feel a little more like a solo Robin Hood story than a look at his relationship with Maid Marian. Of course, there are moments when that story takes centre stage, and it becomes a lot more prevalent towards the final act, but the best story is all about Robin and his continued battles with the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Overall, Robin And Marian is a fun, pleasant and enjoyable adventure that will put a big smile on your face. It gives you a different story than the typical Robin Hood affair, and it’s hugely entertaining to watch, and although the narrative may not always be so intriguing, this is a really wonderful film, and that’s why it gets a 7.5 from me.