Robin Hood (2009 film)

Robin Hood is a 2009 action film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. It presents an origin story of the legendary outlaw, portraying Robin Longstride as a skilled archer initially serving in the army of King Richard I.

The film deviates from traditional Robin Hood narratives by focusing on the political and social climate of 12th-century England. Following the death of Richard the Lionheart in France, Robin and his fellow soldiers return to England. Through a series of circumstances, Robin assumes the identity of Sir Robert Loxley to return Loxley's sword to his father, Sir Walter Loxley. He inherits Loxley's lands and becomes entangled in the power struggles between the weak King John and the ambitious Godfrey, a knight secretly working to destabilize the kingdom and pave the way for a French invasion.

Instead of primarily focusing on stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, the film explores themes of justice, freedom, and resistance against tyranny. Robin, as Robin Longstride, becomes a champion of the common people, fighting against corrupt taxes and advocating for a charter of rights, foreshadowing the Magna Carta. The film culminates in a battle against the invading French forces on the beaches of England.

The film features a supporting cast including William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, and Max von Sydow. It received mixed reviews, with critics praising its visuals and action sequences but criticizing its deviations from the traditional Robin Hood lore and its ambiguous narrative. While commercially successful, the planned sequels were ultimately abandoned. The film’s ending establishes Robin as an outlaw living in Sherwood Forest, setting the stage for the familiar legend.