MovieChat Forums > Robin and Marian (1976) Discussion > A Film For Grown-ups

A Film For Grown-ups

posted 19 years ago by DD-931
8 replies | jump to latest

It seems to me that most of the people who are upset by this film are those still unwilling to see beyond the thrilling archetypes of heroism and adventure they first discovered and fell in love with in their childhood. At a certain age I too might have refused to relinquish cherished notions of the immortal nature of legends and legendary tales. My heroes can grow old and foolish? Never!

But sooner or later everyone has to discover that all legends have an ending. Certainly this film has a certain jaundiced and satirical take on the nature of heroism and legends, born of a time when people questioned the traditional view of things to a degree never seen before (or, apparently, since). Yet all the characters and circumstances of adventure are approached with such an affectionate eye by the director, writer, and actors that somehow this film brings the curtain down on the Robin Hood legend in a particularly loving way that brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it (and still does).

So all I can say is, you have to grow up (figuratively or literally) before you can fully appreciate this magnificent film.

[–] simsaltuk 17 years ago

You are right; absolutely right.

[–] christomacin 17 years ago

Really, I get a laugh from all these people condemning this rather lovely film as some sort of Marxist/Lennist statement. Cervantes' novel Don Quixote is very much the same sort of story. It seems people's knowledge of Western culture doesn't go past The Reagan Presidency. The debunking of the heroic myths of chivalry is totally a part of the Western tradition, not alien to it. Lester debunks a popular myth, so what? Myths are made to be debunked. The idea of chivalry being less than advertised has been around for centuries, and predates the ideology many people are assigning this film. If people read more classic literature in school this film might not seem so shocking.

P.S. If the Middle Ages was so great, how come I don't see anyone signing up to go back to those times?

[–] XFive493 17 years ago

I figured any basis for the hate of this film boils down to one fact that of course being Robin's death. Its not even the fact he died its how he died that leaves a bitter taste.

I loved the film when i watched it. I think if nothing else its a great story in its own right with fantastic acting and dialogue.

But damn it she poisoned him!

[–] Memories-Of-Murder 17 years ago

I saw this movie in my very late teens and the themes of adulthood and aging was not lost on me, nor i lack appreciation for a robin hood mvoie that dared a little difference and dared being adult.

If youa sk me, young kids having knee-jerk negative reactions about this movie has nothing to do with age, but with stupidity.

"This are Nice shoes! Couldn't you afford some real Nike?"

[–] DD-931 16 years ago

True. I guess I should qualify my statement by saying that some people grow up quite early in life, while others never do.

[–] Memories-Of-Murder 16 years ago

I would say it's more a case of sensebility then maturity. I'm 37 but i'm one of those still pretty immature despiste age, a sort of 30 years old boy, and yet even at the late teens i could see the issues of aging and longtime friendship and love in it and they were not lost on me. I guess it's just when i watch a movie, i kinda watch it for what it is, instead of "robin hood, it has to be action packed, cool, action movie time!" type of deal, if you know what i mean.

"This are Nice shoes! Couldn't you afford some real Nike?"

[–] DD-931 16 years ago

I know exactly what you mean. It's tragic that so many people don't.

[–] silvercometred1 11 years ago

I like this movie for many reasons; one of which is that it does not have a typical "Hollywood" ending.