November 28th: ROBIN AND MARIAN (Richard Lester, 1976)

An older Robin Hood, no longer an outlaw but in the service of the king, reunites with old friends and foes.

While serving as head of production at Columbia Pictures, Peter Guber had a collection of ideas for films. Richard Lester, an American who had been working in Britain since the 1950s and was responsible for influential comedies like A Hard Day's Night and The Knack...and How to Get It, was coming off his successful retelling of The Three Musketeers, and was approached by Guber about his potential projects. Lester was intrigued by one described as Robin Hood and Maid Marian meeting again 20 years later.

The writing duties were given to American playwright James Goldman, an Oscar winner for adapting his own play The Lion in Winter, which shares the character of King Richard the Lionhearted with the Robin Hood mythology. Other memorable names returned, including Little John, Friar Tuck, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Will Scarlet. Goldman blended various elements from the folklore seen in previous adaptations as well as some not often explored, as well as a healthy dose of humor and slapstick.

Sean Connery, exploring new territory after retiring from the James Bond franchise, was the first big name to come aboard, and was part of what brought Audrey Hepburn back to the screen after a nine-year absence. The cast also includes Robert Shaw (Jaws, The Sting), Richard Harris (Red Desert, Camelot), Denholm Elliott (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Ian Holm (the Lord of the Rings trilogy), and Nicol Williamson (Excalibur).

The film was shot on location in Spain not only because some of its landscape was in better condition to stand in for Sherwood Forest, but due to some of the cast members needing to stay out of England for tax reasons. Behind the camera was cinematographer David Watkin (The Devils, Out of Africa). Lester's quick shooting style, with multiple cameras and fewer takes, proved frustrating for Hepburn compared to her earlier productions. Principal photography was completed in under 5 weeks.

Famed French composer Michel Legrand (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) was commissioned to write the musical score, but it was not used, and the job then went to 5-time Oscar-winner John Barry (Out of Africa, Dances With Wolves). The finished film reveals a new side to Lester's output, not only in the poetry of the images and rhythm of the scenes, but in the tender romance between the two title characters.

Robin and Marian was a moderate box office success, and critical reviews were mostly positive, with high praise for Hepburn and Connery's performances. Released in the spring, it did not factor in the late-year awards season.

Running time is 1 hr, 45 min.