1976 saw Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn working with director Richard Lester (Superman II, Help!) to demystify the Robin Hood legend in ROBIN AND MARIAN.
Connery's Robin is aging, tired of fighting for the King's cause and looking to spend his fading years quietly. Hepburn's Marian was so devastated when Robin left for the Crusades without saying goodbye, she has become a nun!
Robert Shaw (Jaws, The Sting) rounds out the three leads as the Sheriff of Nottingham, bound to fight Robin as the film progresses, but less than enthusiastic about it.
Lester shows a nice light touch and sense of humor for most of the film, aided by a strong supporting cast including Nicol Williamson, Ian Holm and the great Richard Harris.
The hand-to-hand combat scenes are realistic and brutal, with Robin and the Sheriff both barely able to lift their weapons by the conclusion.
Connery and Hepburn are both nothing short of great and Hepburn is stunning, these really are movie stars.
Its beautifully photographed by David Watkin (Chariots of Fire, Out of Africa) with one of John Barry's best music scores, but the overall tone and message of the film's closing moments has really become strange over the years.
Is this really the way to end one of legend's greatest couples? Does the film's conclusion really depict the best way to love someone?
Hmmmm, the ending kills it for me, dropping this from a solid A- to a B-.
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