James Proclaims!

It would be pretty hard to make a compelling claim that Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves is a good film. Any objective viewer would surely determine that it is, at best, a mediocre movie, while harsher critics could cite some quite superficial evidence that it’s quite a poor retelling of the Robin Hood Legend. Kevin Costner’s failure to even attempt an English accent is surely exhibit A in the case for it not being great. That this is reinforced by Christian Slater also choosing to play Will Scarlett as a 20th century American is merely to rub salt into the wounds. One might also question why Robin Hood chooses to return home to Nottingham from Dover via Hadrian’s Wall.

But it would be churlish to bash this 1991 box office smash with such easily accessible observations. Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves was never meant to be anything other than mindless entertainment for the masses, and irrespective of the legitimate criticisms it received, it very much succeeded in doing that.

I was a fresh-faced 12-year-old when it hit UK cinemas and I loved it. I have no idea if I would love it now if seeing it for the first time. Mawkish nostalgia has robbed me of any objectivity. For all its failings I will always love this movie.

Although, to be fair, Alan Rickman’s performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham has definitely stood the test of time and is at least on a parr with his villainous turn as Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Score for Christmasishness

It is definitely not a Christmas movie, but I’ve oft been tempted to include it in previous versions of this annual list, purely for the moment when Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham calls off Christmas as a response to his growing irritation with the titular character. Also, while on his circuitous route home via Hadrian’s Wall, Robin does come across some Mistletoe. Which is also a bit Christmassy. I’m fully aware I’m scraping the barrel on this one, but I’ve sunk lower before and I’m quite sure I’ll sink lower still.