Film is important to history. Without the invention of the first camera back in the 1800s, the video camera would never have been conceived. Regardless, since the film industry had its start in the early 1900s, films have entertained millions of people. Some became a part of the American lexicon and legends were born.
Legends were reborn in the form of old myths and folk tales from across the sea. The 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood is one folk tale that has been told and retold for hundreds of years prior. However the case, Robin Hood films have appeared in numerous decades, but the 1938 film did have one of American films’ heroes: Errol Flynn. In his first film, Flynn was celebrated for his antics and his wits as well as his handle with a sword. His skill was greatly appreciated and has been heralded and even spoofed in a number of later versions.
One such spoof is the world famous version directed by Mel Brooks; Robin Hood: Men in Tights. It is a great and hilarious film for those who love a comic version of the timeless classic story. Cary Elwes did play an excellent Robin Hood who so uppity in his swagger but still had the timeless wit of Flynn back in the 30s. Of course, that high-class wit would come into contact with the common man as he teamed up with Achoo and his well-known companions like Little Jon and Will Scarlet. Of course, being the crazy man he is, Mel took it upon himself to spoof Friar Tuck as the ever hilarious Rabbi Tuckman. Mel Brooks’ film has been laughed at since the 90s. Its main plot has a lot of similarities to the ever-so-popular Robin Hood film done by Kevin Costner’s Prince of Thieves.
Nearly all of the Robin Hood films leading up to the 21st century have been based on the retold story version but hardly any of those films had a decency of truth to them. That all changed in the 2010 picture of Robin Hood. Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott teamed up for this new version which is a much darker version of the Robin Hood legend. At the same time, with the literalists at the ready, the movie created a huge buzz that it was incredibly well made and time period critical. Thanks to this new innovation to bring out the connections to actual history, the 2010 Robin Hood was welcomed greatly.
The 102 year history of the Robin Hood legend has brought about very few changes to its basic plot. Virtually every single Robin Hood film has Robin Hood battling against the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John. Not many films have deviated from this basic plot. However, many films included issues from the time period, of when the films were released, interweaved in them. The most current Robin Hood does one better (in the author’s opinion).
Just after the 2010 release of Robin Hood, the History Channel played a documentary on the history of the legend and how the original films came remotely close to the real legend of Robin Hood. Incredibly, several scholars of the real Robin Hood legend actually helped make the new version. With the new incredible efforts to discover the roots of the actual legend of Robin Hood, they were able to create an interesting connection to history. It is 1199, just before King John came into power. After learning of his brother’s death in France, John takes over the country and taxes his people into submission. After learning of the baron’s strife in the north, John rides out to defeat them only to get beaten himself. He was forced to sign the Magna Carta on that battlefield. In the movie, it was a first version developed by Robin Longstride’s father called the Charter of the Forest. At the end of the movie, John burns it and declares Robin Longstride aka Robin Hood to an outlaw.
The 2010 version is more historically accurate than its predecessors for the past 102 years. Other than the increase in historical truth, the Robin Hood story is still one of the most famous timeless classic stories that will be retold and filmed countless times. It is a story about the oppressed conquering over the oppressors. Most people do believe that Robin Hood is the first real superhero.
Brian, How interesting. Now I must see the 2010 version! I'm not surprised that the story was embellished but I always assumed Robin Hood was a fable. If in fact He was a true historical character, the embellishment of his story might be compared to that of Christopher Columbus, also considered a hero.
ReplyDeleteI loved robin hood men in tights glad to see you bring it up.I can tell you worked really hard on this blog and it was enjoyable to read.i also liked how you brought up the history channel documentary. I watched that documentary and found it interesting as well. good ideal to bring it into your blog.
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