Review: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 4K UHD Limited Edition
You’re singing to yourself right now, aren’t you?
No matter if you loved or hated that song, its firmly ensconced in anyone over 40’s mind.
It’s a long time since I’ve seen this film and was surprised at just how much I’d forgotten. Arrow’s new 4K UHD release includes an ‘extended’ 155-minute version of the film which adds 12 minutes of previously unreleased footage at the time of release. This expands the story a little and adds a few extra scenes, but at the same time causes a few continuity errors (watch and you’ll see).
Now I could go through the plot, but I don’t think there’s a lot of point. If you’re looking for a historical take on this this imaginary hero, this isn’t the film for you. From their clothes and haircuts to the fact that Robin lands at Dover then in the next scene is running along Hadrian’s wall on route to … Nottingham.
It’s different in respect that the ‘baddies’ are in fact…Satanists (I know, surprising!) and half of the characters never lose their American accents. The acting is – daft, and those that act well are purposely hammy – Alan Rickman (the Sherriff of Nottingham) being unsurprisingly – wonderful, funny and sexy, along with Geraldine MacEwan (as the witch) who both chew up the scenery.
So, what IS the story, oh who cares!? This is one of those early 90s rollocking action ‘WOOHOO’ films that kids love and make you groan and laugh at the same time. Its FUN, and is silly and enjoyable.
The real joy for film fans here, is in the extras. Not just the amazing 4K picture and sound, but the brand-new documentary Here We Are Kings: Making Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, a multi-part documentary featuring brand new interviews with Densham, Watson, director of photography Douglas Milsome, editor Peter Boyle, costume designer John Bloomfield and many more members of the creative team, it truly is a joy to watch and thankfully gives you all the highs and the LOWS of making this film, in a really entertaining way. I love film extras and have to say without a doubt, this really is one of the best in recent years.
A fun film for all the family which has never looked or sounded better.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Brand new 4K restorations of both the theatrical and extended cuts from the original negative by Arrow Films
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation of both cuts in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Limited Edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
- 60-page perfect-bound illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jackson Cooper and Mark Cunliffe
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by José Saccone
- Six double-sided, postcard-sized artcards
- Original uncompressed stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Kevin Reynolds and actor Kevin Costner
- Audio commentary with actors Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater and writers/producers Pen Densham and John Watson
- Here We Are Kings: Making Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – a brand new, multi-part documentary featuring brand new interviews with Densham, Watson, director of photography Douglas Milsome, editor Peter Boyle, costume designer John Bloomfield and many more members of the creative team
- Robin Hood: The Myth, the Man, the Movie – an archival 1991 documentary hosted by Pierce Brosnan
- One-on-One with the Cast – archival 1991 interviews with Costner, Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Slater and Alan Rickman
- Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” performance at Slane Castle, Ireland
- Music soundtrack cues
- Theatrical trailer
- TV spots
- Image gallery
Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Arrow Films via Fetch Publicity.