Why I Love Robin Hood With Russell Crowe And Cate Blanchett

BROWSING NETFLIX FOR FRESH MOVIES TO VIEW

Several weeks ago I decided to order Robin Hood with Russell Crowe, and Cate Blanchett, from Netflix.com. I truly did not want to watch another Robin Hood tale, but after hearing this version was totally different from the usual telling ... I thought, Why not?

I read the information for the movie on Netflix.

THE INFORMATION READ

Russell Crowe stars as Robin LongStride in director Ridley Scott's big-budget twist on the celebrated legend. When Soldier, Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances the widow, Marion (Cate Blanchett); and draws the ire of the town's sheriff (Matthew Macfadyen) and King John's henchman, Godfrey (Mark Strong) ....

MOVED IT TO THE TOP OF THE QUEUE

Hum, I thought, that sounds really interesting. I then placed the movie at the top of my Netflix Queue's list.

EVENTUALLY I VIEWED IT

Two weeks after I received the DVD I watched it. Why did it take me two weeks to watch? Well, I still had some reservations about viewing a movie which changed a legendary tale ....

Then I had to think back almost twenty years ago to Kevin Costner's twist on Robin Hood. I thought it was great. To me it was plausible for Robin Hood to have a Moor — a Black man — as a traveling companion .... Still, I did not watch Russell Crowe's version for another week.

Then one boring Saturday afternoon, while my son laid in my bed sick. I decided to watch the movie ... on my portable DVD player while sitting at my desk.

LOVED THE OPENING MUSIC

The movie opens with a lovely instrumental ..., while words — appearing on a parchment type background — reads,

In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history.

England at the turn of the 12th century was such a time.

A BREATHTAKING OPENING SCENE

After a brief fading to black my eyes fell upon the moon which seemed to be pushing its way out of the midnight blue sky to join the myriad of stars which shined like tiny, yet, bright diamonds. On the ground the land seemed never ending. The scenery took my breath away.

Soon there were sounds of several varied night creatures. Then a sound of feet running. Soon I saw the back of a young child, running, who seemed male. Suddenly there were several running youths following the first one. Some were on horseback. I began wondering, what is wrong? Soon the name Nottingham appeared onto the screen, and I was in great anticipation as the youths broke open a set of doors, and rushed in.

SPOILER ALERT. SORRY

As the break in was taking place the film directs its attention to a woman alert to what was happening, and rousing the men in her house hold to follow her as she leaves her home and go just outside her gates to run the young boys off ....

AGAIN THE LOVELY MUSIC. AGAIN SPOILER ALERT.

Once again there is a fading to black. Again the beautiful ... music pipes in as the words — on parchment ... background — says,

King Richard the Lion Heart, bankrupt of wealth and glory, is plundering his way back to England after ten years on his Crusade.

In his army is an archer named Robin Longstride.

This is the story of his return home where, for defending the weak against the strong, he will be condemned to live outside the law.

Those words still do not prepare you for how this movie unfolds.

THEATRICAL RELEASE, AND DIRECTOR'S CUT:

Though I was a reluctant viewer of this movie, I had watched both the theatrical release, and the director's cut. Though I had only watched the director's cut once. I had watched the theatrical release at least three additional times after the first viewing. Each time I would catch things I had not noticed during the previous viewings.

Still, I did have some unanswered questions from the theatrical viewing answered in the director's cut. Still, they were so minor you may not have any questions.

IN CONCLUSION

If you were like me, and just did not want to see another version of Robin Hood, well, please watch it. It is so interesting. Get your favorite — high fat, low fat, or no taste — snacks and drinks. Sit with your family — if you can — and enjoy an entertaining twist on the legendary tale of Robin Hood. You will not regret it.

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