The myth of Robin Hood has always been an exciting tale of adventure and intrigue, with a host of wonderful characters, and a good message about how true wealth comes from the love of the family and friends who surround you, rather than all the gold in the world. Having said that, Robin’s heists of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor have thrilled audiences for centuries, and Prince of Thieves is no exception to the rule.
The story of the son of Loxley who gave up his vast wealth to walk among the people, and spread hope in a time of suffering and oppression is one that has been around for many ages, and one that has been adapted several times, including by Disney who are reportedly considering a Robin Hood movie remake. But the thing that makes this iteration stand out so strongly from the rest is the wiley portrayal of the character by Kevin Costner, the unique and wholesome angle of Azeem the Moor, and most importantly the excellent character of The Sheriff, portrayed by none other than Alan Rickman.
This version of the Robin Hood tale follows the eponymous protagonist from his escape after the crusades in Jerusalem, during which time he saves the life of Azeem (played masterfully by Morgan Freeman), back to his home in Nottingham, where he finds that all is not as he left it 12 years ago. He has been stripped of his land and titles as his father was found falsely guilty of devil worship, and so he finds himself a fugitive seeking refuge in the woods, where he falls in with Little John and his band of outlaws, who do everything they can to make mischief for the Sheriff.
Cue Alan Rickman, who was behind the accusations against Robin’s father, and who has manipulated and cheated his way into power, where he brings misery upon the people of Nottingham by demanding incredulous taxes, and punishing all who refuse to oblige. His ultimate goal is to force the maiden Marion to be his wife and bear his children, which would ultimately put him on the throne of England, as she is the only remaining cousin of King Richard who is believed to have died in the war.
This film has absolutely everything that a good story needs. From the comedy of the villains always being made a fool of, to the respect and loyalty between the outlaws, to the juxtaposition of Azeem’s wonderful spirituality with Mortiana’s cooky witchcraft, and a love story that the main characters are willing to sacrifice their lives for. Alan Rickman plays the underappreciated role of spoiled and entitled Sheriff of Nottingham, who tries to be one step ahead but is always made the fool of, and who has a surprising obsession with spoons.
Some of the most funny and memorable moments include his yelling “Loxley, I’m gonna cut your heart out with a spoon!”, explaining that “it’s dull you twit, it’ll hurt more” and then telling his cousin “at least I didn’t use a spoon” after he stabs him in the gut for losing a bucket of gold to Robin Hood and his men. He is a fantastically comical character because of his demanding and winning nature, which perfectly contrasts to his vain and manipulative outlook. He is both childish and cunning, which serves to make him a dangerous and creepy villain, capable of getting his own way.
Rickman’s usual roles, including the much more somber and tragic character of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter Franchise, and that of the cynical, adulterous and washed out Harry in Love Actually, are a feat of acting, but this character in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is arguably his best role, a dramatic delight, and Rickman plays the role with such a sense of glee in the petulant and narcissistic character that his playful frivolity pours out of the screen and into the audience. He does some genuinely awful things in the movie, like torturing captives that he has in the dungeon, killing his cousin, threatening to hang children if Marion doesn’t agree to marry him, and then trying to forcibly impregnate her against her will to seal his claim to the throne, but all of this mixed with his deranged and irate nature adds up to make a wonderfully witty and comical character, who gets what he deserves in the final moments.
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is a love story to stand the test of time, and featured ‘Everything I do’ by Bryan Adams, which was number one in the charts for over 16 weeks after the movie’s original release. Robin and Marion’s love prevailed over all the challenges they face, King Richard returned alive from the war and sends England into a new era of prosperity and happiness, and the late Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham went down as one of his best ever roles, and one of the most iconic villains of the 90s.