Movie Review: Kevin Costner Leads A Spirited Adventure In “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves”

Robin Hood decides to fight back as an outlaw when faced with the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham.

“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” is the kind of film that sparks strong opinions. Some viewers are put off by Kevin Costner’s distinctly American portrayal of Robin Hood, which shows little to no attempt at an English accent. Others find fault with the movie’s inconsistent mood—it veers from moments of darkness and grit to near-camp, and its considerable length of 143 minutes doesn’t help. Personally, though, I love it. Nostalgia certainly colors my feelings: the movie premiered in the summer of 1991, the same summer I started dating my first girlfriend, Debbie, in Dublin. Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” was everywhere, and it became our song, linking the film and that time in my mind ever since. The track dominated the UK charts for a record 16 weeks, spent 7 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100, and became a worldwide sensation. Yes, the song—and the film—are undeniably sentimental, but that’s part of their charm. Even now, those opening notes instantly transport me back to that summer.

Costner’s much-discussed lack of an English accent never really bothered me. In fact, I think it would have been better if he’d just stuck to his normal voice from the start. Sean Connery managed to play a Soviet submarine captain in “The Hunt for Red October” without ever masking his Scottish accent, and audiences accepted it; why not let Costner simply be himself? His effort at an English accent is almost laughable at first, but after a while, it fades into the background as the story sweeps you along.

The narrative begins in Jerusalem, 1194. Robin of Locksley (Costner), a nobleman from England imprisoned during King Richard’s Crusades, escapes execution thanks to a daring breakout. His friend Peter is fatally wounded during the escape, but extracts a promise from Robin to watch over his sister, Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Robin, aided by the formidable Azeem (Morgan Freeman), returns to England only to find his estate destroyed, his father murdered and posthumously accused of devil worship by the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), and his loyal servant Duncan (Walter Sparrow) blinded. Robin swears to avenge these wrongs.

When Robin visits Marian to fulfill his promise to Peter, romance sparks for the first time. Their meeting is cut short by the Sheriff’s men, forcing Robin, Azeem, and Duncan to take refuge in Sherwood Forest. There, they join a scrappy group of outlaws led by Little John (Nick Brimble). Robin earns their trust and rallies the group with a rousing, cinematic speech about fighting for liberty.

The story picks up speed as the Sheriff abducts Marian and threatens to marry her against her will. Robin and his band, though outnumbered, mount a daring rescue in true adventure-movie style.

Financially, the film was a massive success, pulling in almost $391 million worldwide—second only to “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” that year. Critics, much like audiences, were split: many pointed to Costner’s accent and the film’s moody atmosphere as issues. Still, Alan Rickman’s deliciously evil Sheriff was widely celebrated, and the movie’s elaborate set design also received praise.

Interestingly, 1991 saw another take on the Robin Hood story hit theaters. The version starring Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman was lauded for being more historically accurate, but it didn’t make much impact at the box office and, for me, lacked the lively spirit that makes Costner’s film stand out.

Another highlight is Michael Kamen’s grand, Grammy-nominated score. Famous for his work on action hits like “Lethal Weapon” and “Die Hard,” Kamen surpassed himself here, delivering a soundtrack characterized by sweeping orchestral themes, romantic melodies, and medieval-infused instrumentation. The overture is so memorable that Morgan Creek Entertainment, the film’s production company, still uses it as its company logo music.

At its core, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” is a big-hearted, over-the-top adventure—a throwback to a time when heroes were mythic, and love stories were unabashedly dramatic. It’s got its flaws, but that’s part of its charm. For me, it’s inextricably tied to a summer of teenage romance, catchy pop anthems, and the magic of seeing something unforgettable at the movies. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend the extended cut, which gives Alan Rickman even more time to shine. Long before he was Professor Snape, Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham was truly a villain to remember.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Limited Edition Content:

4K restorations of both the theatrical and extended cuts from the original negative by Arrow Films
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation of both cuts in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original uncompressed stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary with director Kevin Reynolds and actor Kevin Costner
Audio commentary with actors Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater and writers/producers Pen Densham and John Watson
Here We Are Kings: Making Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, a multi-part documentary featuring interviews with Densham, Watson, director of photography Douglas Milsome, editor Peter Boyle, costume designer John Bloomfield, and many more members of the creative team
Robin Hood: The Myth, the Man, the Movie, an archival 1991 documentary hosted by Pierce Brosnan
One-on-One with the Cast, archival 1991 interviews with Costner, Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Slater, and Alan Rickman
Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” performance at Slane Castle, Ireland
Music soundtrack cues
Theatrical trailer
TV spots
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet featuring writing on the film by Jackson Cooper and Mark Cunliffe
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by José Saccone
Six postcard-sized artcards