Robin and Marian (1976)

68% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(8,004 ratings)

Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences, it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades, Robin (Sean Connery) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart (Richard Harris), but even he has trouble adjusting to the… More Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences, it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades, Robin (Sean Connery) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart (Richard Harris), but even he has trouble adjusting to the monarch's ever-increasing paranoia and lunacy. After Richard's death, Robin returns to England, his first visit to his home turf in 20 years. He looks up his beloved Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn, last seen in 1967's Wait Until Dark), who is now a middle-aged nun. No sooner do Robin and Marian renew their relationship than the aging Merry Men demand Robin's services in thwarting their old foe, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw). Marian is aghast that the long-standing feud between Robin and the sheriff threatens to expand into wholesale bloodshed. The two venerable enemies agree to one last mano a mano battle -- only to watch helplessly as the all-out war they'd tried to avoid commences anyway. Both the tragic climax and Robin's last, defiant arrow shot are drawn directly from authentic Robin Hood ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Richard Lester
Written By: James Goldman
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Jul 16, 2002

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Overcomes its mediocre script by Lester's excellent visualizations, the pleasing performances from Connery and Hepburn, and the broad comedy that underscores this tragic story.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Hepburn + Connery as Marian + Robin = memoraable love story
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
ridiculous!
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Returns to the adventures of Robin Hood who is now middle-aged and still yearning for the love of his life
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
Possibly the most telling tale of Robin Hood ever made.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Nice little film with a pleasantly sad tone
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Depressing but inventive.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Maybe I need to see this one again, but all I remember is that Robin Hood was older and there wasn't much going on, and it was boring, but I 'll give it another try someday.
Dean M

The quite fine adventure film is full of heroes that are larger than life, villians who are more than evil, one of the greatest love stories ever told and one of the greatest adventures of all time. Believe me, this story is kind of funny between Robin and Marion in their old times… More
The quite fine adventure film is full of heroes that are larger than life, villians who are more than evil, one of the greatest love stories ever told and one of the greatest adventures of all time. Believe me, this story is kind of funny between Robin and Marion in their old times when they grow older.
xGary X

Very likeable and funny deconstruction of the Robin Hood myth from the director who brought you a very likeable and funny deconstruction of The Three Musketeers. Obviously influenced the hugely inferior Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
Burger S

Err, 1976. Lots of big names.
Kyle S

An entertaining allthough at times very silly rendition of Robin Hood. This story takes place 20 years after the commonly told legend of Robin in Sherwood, and depicts Richard the Lion-Heart very differently as he is usually depicted in Robin Hood tales, this time he is depicted… More
An entertaining allthough at times very silly rendition of Robin Hood. This story takes place 20 years after the commonly told legend of Robin in Sherwood, and depicts Richard the Lion-Heart very differently as he is usually depicted in Robin Hood tales, this time he is depicted ruthless and more like the man he was. A pretty big cast consisting of Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw, Nicol WIlliamson, Richard Harris, Denholm Elliot, and Ian Holm. I can't help but love this movie, at times it does get a bit campy, but it is so enjoyable and entertaining, and iIt does have a great EPIC finale.
David S

Damn More 4 for showing bloody good films in the middle of my day off! Since a new version of the Robin Hood story is coming out soon it's good to look back at another version of the legend, even if it is the part most film versions leave out. Basic plot: Robin and John… More
Damn More 4 for showing bloody good films in the middle of my day off! Since a new version of the Robin Hood story is coming out soon it's good to look back at another version of the legend, even if it is the part most film versions leave out. Basic plot: Robin and John return from the 2nd Crusades after being away from Sherwood for 20 years. Having been reunited with Marian and a few of his Merry Men he decides to revisit his glory days against the Sheriff, with disasterous consequences. This is the part of the legend that most people won't be familiar with, probably because it has a very downbeat ending. However, personally I find this to be the most interesting part of the Robin Hood story. Connery was on a great role at this point in his career. He'd just done 'The Man Who Would be King' with Caine and would soon move onto 'The First Great Train Robbery' with Sutherland. He'd managed to distance himself from the role of Bond with some great performances but people still remembered him fondly as the dashing hero; in other words he was perfect for the role of an ageing Robin Hood. Hepburn hadn't done much screen work since the late 60's but was still a stunner and you can imagine her as a Marian Connery's Robin would have loved. When you start to add Harris as a mad Richard the Lionheart and Shaw as a noble Sheriff then you have one hell of a cast. Include some notable English thesps such as Holm, Williamson, Elliott and good old Ronnie Barker and you begin to wonder why this film isn't more known. Richard Lester does a great job with this story. He'd just done the Muskateer films (another couple of personal favourites) and enjoyed taking legendary stories but showing them in a reality based context. Therefore we have no bright colours and hollywood touches here. You believe these people live in a forest and that they are old and suffer from real ailments. This is typified perfectly at the end with the fight between the Sheriff and Robin. There is nothing glamourous about it, just two old and tired men trying to best each other with swords they can barely lift. It's tragic but also uplifting. The end of this film gets me every time. I always cry because I love the characters and John Barry's score and some Oscar worthy acting from Connery, Hepburn and Williamson lift the scene to a completely different level. One day someone might make a two-part film that shows the whole Robin Hood legend. The first part will be the story most know leading up to Robin going off to the 2nd Crusades with Richard. The 2nd will be this story. Altogether it will be the ultimate film. Until that time I will happily return to this film and remind myself why I like the legend and why Connery, Hepburn et al will remain the quintessential movie stars of all time!
cody f

A interesting idea that could have been a better movie.It's about Robin Hood and the whole gang 20 years later. Connery and Hepburn have great chemistry and are very good in their roles,but their is too much love story.Richard Harris and Nicol Williamson are really good,but this… More
A interesting idea that could have been a better movie.It's about Robin Hood and the whole gang 20 years later. Connery and Hepburn have great chemistry and are very good in their roles,but their is too much love story.Richard Harris and Nicol Williamson are really good,but this film belongs to Shaw. He is hands down the best Sheriff of Nottingham I have ever seen.He is calm,wise,and not a cartoon villain. That's the other problem I had with this film,Shaw wasn't in enough of it.Not a bad film and worth a watch just for the performances and the ending.