Robin Hood

Plot
It is 1199 and Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) is a common archer in Richard the Lionheart's (Danny Huston) army. A veteran of the Third Crusade and Richard's war against Philip II of France (Jonathan Zaccaï), he now takes part in the siege against Chalus Castle.

Disillusioned and war-weary, he believes the King when he invites him to give an honest view of the war and the King's conduct. After Robin gives a frank but unflattering appraisal, Richard immediately breaks his promise of no repercussions for speaking honestly and has Robin and comrades taken prisoner to be judged after ending the siege. The betrayed men decide to free themselves and desert. Following the death of Richard, Robin and two other common archers, Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle), Will Scarlett (Scott Grimes), as well as soldier Little John (Kevin Durand), attempt to secretly return to their homeland. (They have spent ten years fighting abroad.) Along the way they come across an ambush of the Royal guard by Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), an English knight collaborating with the French.

Philip of France had ordered Sir Godfrey to assassinate Richard. Having discovered the King is already slain, Sir Godfrey is chased off by the arrival of Robin and his companions. Aiming to return to England safely and richer in pocket than when they left it, Robin and his men steal the armour of the slain knights and, under the guise of noblemen, head for the English ships on the coast. Before leaving the scene of slaughter Robin promises a dying knight, Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge), to return a sword to the knight's father in Nottingham.


Upon arriving in England, Robin (who has assumed the identity of Loxley) is brought to London and chosen to inform the Royal family of the King's death. He witnesses the coronation of King John (Oscar Isaac), the younger brother of Richard. Showing no remorse to his poor kingdom, John orders harsh taxes to be collected, sending Sir Godfrey off to the North to do so. He has no idea that Godfrey is a French agent who, using French troops, will use this Royal Decree to stir up enough unrest to cause civil war in England.

Robin and his companions head to Nottingham, where Loxley's old and blind father Sir Walter (Max von Sydow) asks him to continue impersonating his son, in order to prevent the family lands being taken by the crown. Loxley's widow, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett), is initially distrustful of Robin, but soon warms to him when he recovers taxed grain for the townsfolk to plant.

Meanwhile, Godfrey's actions have stirred up the northern barons, who march to meet King John and demand the signing of a charter of rights. Having realized Godfrey's deception, and knowing he must reunite his people in order to meet an imminent French invasion, the King agrees. A battle follows in which Robin and the northern barons attack Godfrey's men while ransacking Nottingham--but not before Godfrey has slain the blind Sir Walter.

The film climaxes with a French invasion on England's Dover Beach, opposed by an English army. The English are victorious. Godfrey attempts to flee on horseback, but Robin, from long distance, puts an arrow through his neck. When King John sees the French surrendering to Robin rather than to himself, he is unhappy. Therefore, in the final scenes, King John not only reneges on his promise to sign the Charter of the Forest, but also declares Robin to be an outlaw. In response to this, Robin moves to Sherwood Forest with Lady Marian and his friends to form what will become the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. "Thus," as the concluding scroll says, "the legend begins." (copied from Wikipedia)

When I was young, I have read stories about Robin Hood. How he robbed the rich and save the poor. This movie is a bit different as it is about how he became Robin Hood. Something like a story before he became The Robin Hood. 

My hubby and I had enjoyed this wonderful movie last night. Russell Crowe, who acted as the Robbin Hood is cool and charming as usual. Love the way he shoots the arrow and hits the target with 99.9% accuracy. Although it is just a legend, I wish that there are more Robin Hood in this world. It is always nice to have heroes, right?