Is Russell Crowe Too Old to Play Young Robin Hood?

[marcus]

Robin Hood never left England in the original stories. Him going on Crusade is a new thing.

I've always liked your views on lit and cultural history, and enjoyed the way you convey them, but I disagree in this case.

Or expect I will disagree when I get around to seeing the movie.

I think this is a PREQUEL which develops the Robinic legend in a way that can help ordinary Americans realize their humanity more better.

Americans like action movies and epic battles between good and evil like Lord of Rings battle and a lesson can be taught by this means.

Right now we are being oppressed and and exploited by inhuman power-machine finance and insurance corporations and most of us don't even resent it. We blame our government which is the only collective way of making rules that these greed machines have to obey. And the corporate money corrupts and diminishes our democracy. OK. Ridley Scott says
SUPPOSE THE SUPERRICH AND THE CORPORATIONS ARE THE NORMANS. Let's take the simpler example where we have these Normans running the country and creating huge inequalities. How does it get equalized.

And Russell Crowe is an ORDINARY SOLDIER---a Crusades vet. Of the average age of US adult male population. Like our First Gulf vets.
and he doesn't start out with a vision of a career in politics, or anything. He's just this ordinary middleage war vet trying to get along.
BUT HE GETS FORCED BY THE obvious Norman injustice INTO THIS ROLE.

And he doesn't just start his Forest Business of redistributing income, he actually BRINGS ABOUT THE SIGNING OF THE MAGNA CARTA (i.e. "justice under law" not mere justice, but under law).

So Ridley Scott has made a creative use of the Robin legend in order to show how an ordinary slightly overweight middleage war vet can actually do something worthwhile and gradually get woken up to some wellfocused activism.

I like Ridley Scott. I always liked that movie where Rutger Hauer the artificial human confronts his Maker for having given him too short a lifetime. It seems like a reasonable gripe. Ridley Scott has the ability to deal with basic issues without you necessarily noticing, because it is clothed in a popular genre.

I may be disappointed. I haven't seen the Scott/Crowe Robin yet.

 

[BobG]

So, now, my fantasy...

Perhaps it's just that a recent thread has me fantasizing about being caught in the middle of an adulterous affair with the wife of a wealthy man in his 90s to early 100s and having a desparate fight with him for my survival as I try to make it out the door.

... has to be revised to having a swordfight with an poor man in his 90s to early 100s ... and losing?

Where was my head?

 

[Lacy33]

Crowe ain't no fox.

If PF did a Robin Hood movie, how would we cast it?

Robin Hood - Greg Bernhardt

Maid Marion - Math Is Hard

Nasir - Astronuc (Nasir the saracen was introduced as a character in the British series Robin of Sherwood, he had two swords crossed behind his back, so cool).

Will Scarlet - Berkeman

Little John - turbo-1

Herne, the Horned God - vanadium50, because he's God-like

Guy of Gisbourne - BobG (because Guy was a hottie in RoS)

Zoob of Nottingham - Zoobyshoe plays himself

Sheriff of Nottingham - Rewebster

Robert of Huttingdon - Cronxeh

various assasins (as needed) - cyrus, IcedEcliptic, Doc Al, George Jones

Baron de Belleme (sorceror) - Ivan seeking

Green haired alchemist - Borek (his hair color the result of an experiment gone terribly wrong)

Wise man from the East - gokul

So who would you guys cast?

I would just cast Meryl Streep in all roles. Evo, why don't you direct her.
Has anyone see her in several roles in Angels In America?
And Evo that horrid Crowe is just ghastly in that picture. Then they cast one of the most gracious woman on the planet to kiss him! Does Cate Blanchett have to kiss him or do they get a high paid stunt woman to do that?

 

[mheslep]

I like Ridley Scott. I always liked that movie where Rutger Hauer the artificial human confronts his Maker for having given him too short a lifetime.

I believe Sci Fi author Phillip Dick gets the credit for that story line.

I like Scott too, smoke and all. I had a chance to go on set with him when he was shooting 1492. He's a bit like some of his lead characters, that is, he's like Crowe's Gladiator/Robin Hood - gruff, get-out-of-my-way-or-get-run-over kind of guy.

 

[Astronuc]

He looks like a neanderthal in that picture I posted.

The original Robin Hood lived in Sherwood Forest, he was a bandit that robbed rich people. He wasn't in the army, he didn't go on a crusade, he didn't attack castles with his band of "merry men".

Actually the original Robin Hood may have lived in southern part of Yorkshire, Barnsdale, according to an article I read the other day. Barnsdale is actually just NW of Doncaster, and 50 miles N of Sherwood Forest.

Barnsdale, or Barnsdale Forest, is a relatively small area of South Yorkshire, England which has a rich history and the region is steeped in folklore. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.[1] Barnsdale lies in the immediate vicinity north and north-west of Doncaster, and which was formerly forested and a place of royal hunts, and also renowned as a haunt of the outlaw Robin Hood in early ballads.
. . .
The area was once thick woodland, rich with game and deer; and the monarchs of England are sometimes recorded as having gone on royal hunts in the Barnsdale forest. It is believed that at some point in the early medieval era, Barnsdale Forest was probably huge and may have covered most of South Yorkshire (in the same manner as Sherwood Forest probably once covered most of Nottinghamshire).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnsdale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnsd..._the_Barnsdale_area_and_the_Robin_Hood_legend

A lot of family ancestors are from that area.

 

[Evo]

marcus, you think too deeply, you just took all of the fun out of the movie.

I see it as a blood and gore epic with macho men shooting arrows at people and pouring boiling oil on them.

I always defer to your much greater knowledge of literature, but I believe the crusades bit was added in the 17th century.

One of the earliest written accounts actually has Robin Hood connected to one of the King Edwards, not Richard. Gest of Robyn Hode. http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch117.htm

 

[zomgwtf]

marcus, you think too deeply, you just took all of the fun out of the movie.

I see it as a blood and gore epic with macho men shooting arrows at people and pouring boiling oil on them.

I always defer to your much greater knowledge of literature, but I believe the crusades bit was added in the 17th century.

One of the earliest written accounts actually has Robin Hood connected to one of the King Edwards, not Richard. Gest of Robyn Hode. http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch117.htm

In my opinion it only makes sense that crusades are involved... the time period is too perfect and the majority of people around these times were involved in the crusades... If they were left out THEN the story would seem like a too good to be true myth.

 

[EnumaElish]

One of the earliest written accounts actually has Robin Hood connected to one of the King Edwards, not Richard. Gest of Robyn Hode. http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch117.htm

When I first looked at it the language seemed difficult to follow, but slowly it made more sense... (At least the list is not in roman numerals, that would have really confused me!)

 

[Evo]

In my opinion it only makes sense that crusades are involved... the time period is too perfect and the majority of people around these times were involved in the crusades... If they were left out THEN the story would seem like a too good to be true myth.

Don't forget, the earliest Robin Hood ballads just had him mugging people. There wasn't even a Maid Marion, characters were added by different writers as the years went by.

Apparently he did very well, since he gave a knight enough money to pay off his mortgage to an Abbott.

 

[turbo]

In my opinion it only makes sense that crusades are involved... the time period is too perfect and the majority of people around these times were involved in the crusades... If they were left out THEN the story would seem like a too good to be true myth.

The majority of people stayed home and did not march off on crusades. The crusades were military ventures carried out by kings and their armies, with the blessing of (and sometimes the explicit commands) of the powerful popes. That said, if a man of the time was a skilled warrior in the service of a nobleman who took part in the crusades, then certainly it would be expected that the man would have given his service in the cause. Noblemen paid in gold, food, and provisions, and perhaps some land and privilege. The church "paid" in dispensations.

 

[rewebster]

Not in the original stories, he became a member of royalty hundreds of years later. There are so many versions as the years went by, you just need to pick a version you like. I prefer Disney's cartoon Robin Hood, with the fox.

But my true favorite of all time is the BBC tv series Robin of Sherwood. :!)

didn't he go on the crusades in that version?

 

[Evo]

<GASP> Tonight on Discovery Channel, 7pm CST, The Legends of Robin Hood With Olly Steeds. OMG, I *LOVE* Olly Steeds!

I will definitely be watching.

 

[turbo]

<GASP> Tonight on Discovery Channel, 7pm CST, The Legends of Robin Hood With Olly Steeds. OMG, I *LOVE* Olly Steeds!

I will definitely be watching.

It's on at 8 here. I'll try to tune in.

 

[Astronuc]

I see it as a blood and gore epic with macho men shooting arrows at people and pouring boiling oil on them.

I see it as an opportunity to make out with hot women over 40.

 

[ViewsofMars]

<GASP> Tonight on Discovery Channel, 7pm CST, The Legends of Robin Hood With Olly Steeds. OMG, I *LOVE* Olly Steeds!

I will definitely be watching.

Evo, perhaps you are speaking about a television show. I did take note Discovery Channel Videos:Legends of Robin Hood with Olly Steeds: Celebrity Outlaw

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/legends-of-robin-hood-with-olly-steeds-clips-celebrity-outlaw.html



Also, another interesting website for information.
The Search for A Real Robin Hood

http://www.boldoutlaw.com/realrob/realrob2.html#1320

and

http://www.robinhood.ltd.uk/robinhood/index.html

Rewebster, thank you for clearing that up, and Marcus I liked your contribution to this topic. Astronuc, good for you! I walked the park earlier today and saw two young high school kids doing the same "on" a picnic bench I told them, "Spring is in the air. Tiss the season." They both laughed and smiled.

I enjoy watching movies on HBO and Encore in the evening when I have the opportunity. Everyone I personally know, including me, is involved with Science and the Arts!

 

[lisab]

<GASP> Tonight on Discovery Channel, 7pm CST, The Legends of Robin Hood With Olly Steeds. OMG, I *LOVE* Olly Steeds!

I will definitely be watching.

Whoa...I read that as, Oily Steeds. I thought, how would you ride them?

I think I need more naps.

 

[ViewsofMars]

Whoa...I read that as, Oily Steeds. I thought, how would you ride them?

I think I need more naps.

Lisa, for a brief moment it looked like Oily to me! LOL! I didn't have my reading glasses on. I wish I could take a nap but I've never been able to do that. All I do know is that when I fall asleep at night, I sleep straight through unless I'm physically awakened.

 

[rewebster]

Whoa...I read that as, Oily Steeds. I thought, how would you ride them?

I think I need more naps.

watch out for those steel dog cages

 

[turbo]

Very little support for the Evo History view, IMO. The show was a "show", so who knows what's supportable?

 

[Evo]

Very little support for the Evo History view, IMO. The show was a "show", so who knows what's supportable?

The show was paid for by the Russell Crowe movie. Olly sold out. It was an advertisement for the Crowe movie.

It's not my view anyway, it's a fact based on the writings and the dates. The Crowe movie is based on the 19th and 20th century versions.

Like I've said all along, the story has been embellished continuously, just pick your favorite version.

This thread is about Crowe being too old and too ugly to play Robin Hood. The earliest written reference said Robin Hood was 20 and two years.

 

[turbo]

Well, at least the Swamp Loggers episode following was believable.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

I believe Sci Fi author Phillip Dick gets the credit for that story line.

That particular plot point was not in the book. If you have not read it the book is actually quite different from the movie.

 

[rewebster]

This thread is about Crowe being too old and too ugly to play Robin Hood. The earliest written reference said Robin Hood was 20 and two years.

they aged quickly back in those days---40 was the old 22 back then---and no one was attractive back in those days----he's perfect for the role

 

[mgb_phys]

they aged quickly back in those days---40 was the old 22 back then---and no one was attractive back in those days----he's perfect for the role

The best Robin hood movie is the one with Sean Connery, Crowe is younger than that AND can do an english accent.

 

[GeorginaS]

I watched Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves several times simply to watch Alan Rickman. His performance redeemed the whole entire movie. Whole. Entire.

The movie posters and trailers with Russell Crowe certainly suggest a war movie, as Zooby pointed out. I'm not a fan of gore and violence.

 

[Astronuc]

'Robin Hood' Revisited: Not Entirely On Target
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126761271
by Kenneth Turan

. . . this take on the tale misses the joy of the earlier films staring Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks that captivated previous generations.

I think Errol and Douglas set the standard for dashing and debonaire, which unfortunately Crowe isn't - necessarily. Maybe he will surprise. But then again, debonaire is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Evo]

Adrian Paul (The Highlander) should have been cast as Robin Hood. He's 50 but he looks a lot younger and fitter than Crowe. The pic is from a movie last year. And he's British.

[PLAIN]http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8042/adrianpaulrecent.jpg

 

[Astronuc]

How Robin Hoods men really treated the poor



A little comedic relief

Monty Python - Dennis Moore

 

[turbo]

More Lupins!

 

[stevmg]

Robin Hood robbed from everybody and kept everything.

He had a good press agent.

Mel Brooks, the 2000 year old man

 

[fuzzyfelt]

I hadn't seen anything much about the new movie, and guess my view is swayed by an amalgamation of Scott’s Locksley and Ivanhoe, as their stories have mingled a bit over time and Ivanhoe is often described as the ‘young knight’. This also places the setting earlier than the movie.

 

[stevmg]

The actual character lived in the first century AD and killed everyone who ventured near his territory.

Richard the Lion Hearted also never spoke a word of English (Richard, Coeur de Lion) as he was a Norman king.

 

[ViewsofMars]

I heard from a friend yesterday that the movie got poor reviews.

Adrian Paul is a hottie and so is Sir Sean Connery! Paul Smailes is one of the most interesting men.

Ah well, I've contributed more than this post to the topic. Nuff said, except I'd like to see Robin Hood played on stage with all the actors wearing masks. Of course, I'd design them! LOL!

 

[Evo]

I heard from a friend yesterday that the movie got poor reviews.

The reviews aren't very good.

Russell Crowe's 'Robin Hood' robs from the filmgoers

The latest Robin Hood might as well be called John Doe in Chain Mail for all the resemblance it bears to the legendary character.

That might not be so bad if the alternative portrait was intriguing. But Robin Hood, as envisioned by Ridley Scott and scripted by Brian Helgeland, is an unnecessary and wrong-headed reboot.

Robin of the 'Hood spends a lot of time somberly shooting arrows, a modicum of time proving his heroic decency, especially around royals, and a little time in the company of Lady Marion (no blushing maiden here). But what's missing is a sense of fun.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2010-05-13-robinhood13_ST_N.htm

 

[marcus]

The reviews aren't very good.
...

Whew! the reviews are terrible. I had great hopes for the film. Doesn't sound like any of my expectations panned out.