Robin Hood (2010)

Set in 12th Century England, “Robin Hood” chronicles the adventures of Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), a common archer in the army of King Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) during his 10-year Crusade to the Holy Land. His Crusade effectively over and his army badly demoralized, Richard is headed back home, sacking every French castle they cross to fund their retreat. After Lionheart is killed in battle, Robin and his merry men decide that 10 years is more than enough service to the Crown, and ditches the army for home. On their way back to Jolly ol England, they run across a French ambush led by the duplicitous Englishman Godfrey (Mark Strong), and the badly injured Sir Robert Loxley. In a moment of weakness, Robin agrees to take the dying Knight’s sword home to his father.

Back in England, squirrely Prince John (Oscar Isaac), the next in line to the throne, greets news of his brother Richard’s death with less than Princely jubilation. Immediately, John assigns Godfrey, unaware of the man’s treachery, to begin collecting owed taxes by any means necessary. Godfrey does this by bringing over French raiders to sack English towns, quickly turning the country’s Lords against their new King. Meanwhile, Robin arrives in Nottingham, where he delivers the sad news to Sir Walter Loxley (Max von Sydow) and Robert’s beautiful and suffering wife, Marion (Cate Blanchett), who only knew her husband for one week before he went off to the Crusade. Here, the kindly Lord makes Robin a deal he can’t refuse: pretend to be the dead Robert, so that Marion will retain their possessions once Walter passes. Thanks to a combination of chivalry, Marion’s soulful glances, and the ability to open the door when opportunity presents itself, Robin agrees.

Ridley Scott (director) / Brian Helgeland, Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris (screenplay) CAST: Russell Crowe … Robin Longstride Cate Blanchett … Marion Loxley Max von Sydow … Sir Walter Loxley William Hurt … William Marshal Mark Strong … Godfrey Oscar Isaac … Prince John Danny Huston … King Richard The Lionheart Mark Addy … Friar Tuck Matthew Macfadyen … Sheriff of Nottingham Kevin Durand … Little John Scott Grimes … Will Scarlet