This version is my second best one of Robin Hood tales on screen after "Robin and Marian."
Though the direction is uninspired, the performances are notable. First, Uma Thurman as Marian is the backbone of the film. She is lends color to the otherwise grey and morbid ambience. So does Edward Fox as an intelligent King John--most other versions show the King as a stupid tyrant. This is Fox's best performance since "Day of the Jackal". Patrick Bergin was not exceptional, but his Robin was a credible perspective of the character. He has talent as he proved in his meaty role in "Durango." Jurgen Prochnow is a great German actor in any film either as a good guy ("Das Boot") or as a bad guy ("The English Patient"). Jeroen Krabbe was also notable though his character of the Baron left me totally puzzled--the director was totally at a loss to etch out facets of his relationship with his niece, with Robin (early part of the film and the later parts), his relationship with his wife... This was an interesting character that the director John Irvin could have fleshed out, having invested so much screen time to the character. The direction and screenplay were the weak departments.
But all in all it was Uma Thurman who really made this version important.
Though the direction is uninspired, the performances are notable. First, Uma Thurman as Marian is the backbone of the film. She is lends color to the otherwise grey and morbid ambience. So does Edward Fox as an intelligent King John--most other versions show the King as a stupid tyrant. This is Fox's best performance since "Day of the Jackal". Patrick Bergin was not exceptional, but his Robin was a credible perspective of the character. He has talent as he proved in his meaty role in "Durango." Jurgen Prochnow is a great German actor in any film either as a good guy ("Das Boot") or as a bad guy ("The English Patient"). Jeroen Krabbe was also notable though his character of the Baron left me totally puzzled--the director was totally at a loss to etch out facets of his relationship with his niece, with Robin (early part of the film and the later parts), his relationship with his wife... This was an interesting character that the director John Irvin could have fleshed out, having invested so much screen time to the character. The direction and screenplay were the weak departments.
But all in all it was Uma Thurman who really made this version important.