Review of Robin and Marian (1976) by Terri H — 28 Sep 2008

Excellent take on the legend starring Sir Sean as Robin Hood. This is quite different from the usual 'adventures of' and deals more with the hero's last days after he returns to Sherwood Forest after so many years being away on missions in foreign lands.

. Robert Shaw (who played Connery's foe in 'From Russia With Love') is an excellent Sheriff of Nottingham who is very cruel and really wants to keep Robin Hood for himself for the ultimate final fight.

Denholm Elliot (who was Connery's sidekick in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade') is good too as one of his chief archers. Richard Harris has a short scene as Richard the Lionheart (kind of like Connery's short scene in Kevin Costner's dreadful 1990s Robin Hood).

Audrey Hepburn came out of an early career retirement and is also good as Connery's love interest in Maid Marian, and shows great chemistry with Connery. We also get to see a younger Ian Holm play the evil royal who enjoys very young women.

The musical score by John Barry is first-class as always and has those golden Connery Bond moments. The final fight between Connery and Shaw is a masterpiece and plays out wonderfully against the backdrop of the film.

However, I was not too sure about the ending which felt a bit too tacked-on and did not seem to make sense in its Shakespearean tones being matched to this story. Still, amongst the best takes on the popular classic legend even if Connery is no Errol Flynn and has a thick Scottish accent!