ROBIN HOOD: THE REBELLION Tackles Opposition From All Sides With Median Results
There’s little uncertainty among some directors about how much there is to tap into for workable material for Robin Hood films. Writer and director Nicholas Winters found his in Robin Hood: The Rebellion rejoining Hooligan Escape star Ben Freeman, and for this, a story that immerses you into a war already in-progress.
You get solid peformances all around, headlined by Freeman and actor James Oliver Wheatley – the latter starring as the incorrigible and evil Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff has zeroed in on Sherwood Forest, leaving its inhabitants vulnerable with Robin and Will Scarlett (James G. Nunn) taking point against the Sheriff’s men.
Actor Jamie Kenna weighs in as Little John, unsettled by the incursion as well as ill-gotten ideas of Robin’s intentions with respect to his persona; John’s woes are just the first indicator that others among Sherwood’s people may have become turncoats in exchange for better prospects under the Sheriff’s rule.
What Happened To Monday actress Marie Everett stars as Maid Marian, strong and resilient as Robin’s love interest and tethered to his cause on the battlefield against the Sheriff who has doggedly chosen marriage with her as the end-all-be-all to his woes with Robin. The film also introduces Brian Blessed, OBE, in the role of lone Friar Tuck, otherwise friend and confidant to Robin though far from an immediate member of Robin’s merry men.
The real issues are mainly with the characters in their development as the story sort of begins from its own middle point. From the very top, things are nearly in meltdown while it’s as if Robin and John only are just getting acquainted. The remainder of the story does hold itself up from time to time with strong performances and interesting characters from both sides of the war.
Some of the script does teeter on more contrived points about our protagonist which sort of makes the rest of the film feel more formalic than preferred. The action doesn’t really bring anything interesting or thrilling, save for a few scenes featuring Robin, John and Will as they find themselves going toe-to-toe with more larger-than-life villains among the Sheriff’s lot, including towering Boyka: Undisputed villain Martyn Ford in the role of Brimstone.
Apart from other noteworthy mentions among the cast, I can only imagine the weather conditions of the film’s location, so hats off to actor James Groom for the role of the Sheriff’s equally maniacal cohort, Guy Of Gisborne. His role is rendered naked for about four dialogue scenes which add a slight touch of humor for the desired effect, although I can’t help but wish they clothed him sooner.
Depending on who is watching, the Robin Hood mythos isn’t terribly new and so this particular venture may work differently on others. Points to Freeman for leading the charge as an amply entertaining frontman for a small-scale sword-and-shield thriller such as this. It’s not top-to-bottom perfect but it tells a worthwhile story with good drama to boot.
Robin Hood: The Rebellion, is now available in the U.S. on VOD on DVD from Vision Films in association with Signature Entertainment.
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