| Movie DescriptionIt is late 12th century England and Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) is a common archer in the Third Crusade. Following the death of Richard the Lionheart in battle, Robin and three other common soldiers, Alan A'Dale, Will Scarlett, and Little John, attempt to return to their homeland, having spent ten years fighting abroad. Along the way they come across an ambush of the Royal guard by Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), an English knight with French lineage and allegiance. The King of France had ordered Sir Godfrey to assassinate Richard. Having discovered the King is already slain Sir Godfrey is chased off by the arrival of Robin and his companions. Aiming to return to England safely and richer in pocket than they left it, Robin and his men steal the armour of the slain Knights and head for the English ships on the coast under the guise of noblemen. Before leaving the scene of slaughter Robin promises a dying Knight, Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge), to return a sword to the man's father in Nottingham.
Upon arriving in England, Robin (who has assumed the identity of Loxley) is chosen to inform the Royal family of the King's death and witnesses the coronation of King John (Oscar Isaac), who is the younger brother of the recently-deceased Richard. The arrogant King John shows no remorse to his poor Kingdom and demands harsh taxes to be collected, sending Sir Godfrey off to the North with the task of raising revenue. Unbeknownst to King John, Sir Godfrey is an agent of the French King and uses this Royal Decree to stir up enough unrest, using French Troops, to cause Civil War in England.
Robin and his companions head to Nottingham, where Loxley's father Sir Walter (Max von Sydow) asks him to continue impersonating his son, in order to prevent the family lands being taken by the crown. Loxley's widow, Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett), is initially distrustful of Robin, but soon warms to him when he recovers taxed grain for the townsfolk to plant. |
