‘ROBIN HOOD’ ADAPTATIONS: SOME OF THE MANY DIFFERENT STORIES
In our second kind of ‘Faces of an Adaptation’ list feature (in so many weeks), we’re back with another one. This time it’s looking at the different Robin Hood adaptations. There are so many of them and some of them are among my favorite “adventure” flicks. There are lots of talented actors who are expertly brandishing that bow and arrow. No matter how many of the versions there are, there are some I haven’t seen, some I don’t like and some I do indeed like.
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There are some impressive names in these casts and while there are productions better liked (based on user ratings) than others, I do think we are featuring most here that are the more popular titles. Let’s take a look at what we discovered.
ROBIN HOOD adaptations
THE ADVENTURES of ROBIN HOOD, 1938
Errol Flynn leads this cast in an adaptation that seems to be more about “fun” than dark lore. Though I have seen a famous film with Flynn, I don’t believe this is the one I saw. What this one does seem very like is a film that would fall into the typical swashbuckler genre of the era.
Stream, at publication, with Tubi; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
THE STORY of ROBIN HOOD and HIS MERRIE MEN, 1952
From the 50s, this one is a Walt Disney production and says it follows a “young Robin Hood” who enters an archery contest and then is witness to the murder of his father. In love with Marian, this inspires the archer to take up arms against the baddies responsible for this death.
Stream, at publication, with Disney+ / Hulu bundle; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
ROBIN and MARIAN, 1976
Pairing film legends Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn, a drama from the 70s marks one I have never seen in the lineup of Robin Hood adaptations. From what I see, Robin and Marian seems to be a story focusing on the love story of the devoted lovers. It follows a weary and aging Robin coming to the end of his time battling as he returns to again “woo” Marian. The film seems to be one of the romance titles that would fall into the tragic tag, which is probably why I’ll never give it a chance.
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ROBIN of SHERWOOD, tv series 1984
From the 80s (and perhaps a bit campy), Robin of Sherwood seems to have a kind of magical element being, in part, about Robin getting “chosen by [a] mystical’ person who wants him to “champion the oppressed.” It also has a plus 8 of 10 user rating. Ray Winstone is part of the cast that also recasts its Robin!
Stream, at publication, with Prime Video; find free on Tubi; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE of THIEVES, 1991
Kevin Costner leads this cast as the outlaw who fights against the Sheriff of Nottingham in this seemingly well-liked adaptation of the fable. Additionally, this film has Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman and Christian Slater.
Digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
‘ROBIN HOOD’ ADAPTATIONS: SOME OF THE MANY DIFFERENT STORIES. Looking at some of the adaptations that tell the #RobinHood fable! How many have you seen? #KevinCostner #RussellCrowe #TaronEgerton Share on XROBIN HOOD: MEN in TIGHTS, 1993
From Mel Brooks, this one is widely known as a kind of “spoof” of the story and has Cary Elwes as Robin.
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THE NEW ADVENTURES of ROBIN HOOD, 1997
This series from the 90s does have a six (out of ten) user rating but also swapped out both Robin’s and Marion’s! The original Robin appears in 27 of the 50+ episodes and Marion in 13 of them before they are replaced by their successors who then would appear in 26 and 39 of the episodes, respectively. Taking a cue from the 80s, this one seemed comfortable recasting, which is about the “band of outlaws” as they fight against prince John.
Search places like Amazon for possible DVD sets of this show
PRINCESS of THIEVES, 2001
This one perhaps doesn’t need to be on this list just because it’s a TV film, but I think it’s fun. It’s about the daughter or Robin Hood and her insistence that she join her father. Kiera Knightley stars in one of her early roles as the daughter, Gwyn and while the film ends bittersweet (she says goodbye to one love to follow another), as an adventure flick, it’s fun.
Search places like Amazon for possible DVD sets of this film
ROBIN HOOD, tv series
Running from 2006 through 2009, in a list of Robin Hood adaptation, this British series is great fun… until it isn’t. The show starts out as being entertaining and lighthearted but the final third season gets dark in the aftermath of a death, and really, it kind of (for me) goes downhill from there (I would stay only with season one as a result). Still, it’s a fun series if you don’t mind the darkness even if only to see Joanne Froggatt (pre Downton Abbey) headline in season three. Of course, this also has Keith Allen and Richard Armitage and in the titular role, Jonas Armstrong plays this version of the arrow wielding hero.
Stream, at publication, with Roku; or search for DVDs on places like Amazon
ROBIN HOOD, 2010
It’s been forever since I watched this, but it has Academy Award winner Russell Crowe playing Robin and from what I remember it’s darker. Ridley Scott directs this one and its synopsis says it’s kind of the “birth of a legend” as Robin and his band encounter the dying Sir Loxley. Additionally, Mark Strong, Cate Blanchett and Oscar Isaac star.
Stream, at publication, with Netflix; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
ROBIN HOOD, 2018
Despite the big stars headlining, no one seems to like it; but it’s a full-on feature so it’s kind of an unwritten role that we have to include it here. Taron Egerton features in a film with Jamie Foxx and Eve Hewson. The story is about Robin living “a good life” and then he is drafted to fight in a crusade. Very modern from my memory, this one is also good fun.
Digitally purchase this film on places like Prime Video
ROBIN HOOD, 2025
The version that inspires this list has Sean Bean, Connie Nielsen, and a host of newer talent. Its titular star is played by Jack Patten. Do I think he’s any better than the recent talent playing him? No. But he’s good and I like that he’s more unknown. His Robin is more innocent compared to being a kind of hardened version of this character. This version (of the story) however is quite modern and gets high on modernism in order to tell its story. Honestly, it’s a little bit odd and not at all attractive.
I don’t (in any way) consider myself a purist when it comes to period drama and there are many I like that go “modern,” but I guess I just don’t want this to be the norm of period drama. Part of the reason I watch something in this genre IS to go back in time and have a more realistic story set in that time. So I don’t think I’ll make a special effort to watch this though I may see the finale just to see how it all ends.
Stream, starting today, the show weekly on MGM+
THE DEATH of ROBIN HOOD, 2026
Honestly by this title alone, this one is going to go there and be dark. The plot, according to articles, is that this will follow Robin Hood, who is badly injured, as he’s cared for by a “mysterious woman.” Of course, the plot is also said to be one of contemplation and questions as he reflects on his life of crime. The film is expected next summer and features Bill Skarsgard, Jodie Comer and Hugh Jackman in the titular role.
MORE to CONSIDER
- one ROBIN HOOD, 1973
- two ROBIN HOOD, 1991
- three ROBIN of LOCKSLEY, 1996
- four BEYOND SHERWOOD FOREST, 2009
Photos: Alamy
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How many of these Robin Hood adaptations have you seen? Which ones would you watch? Did the BBC series also rip your heart out? Which version do you think is the best as an adaptation? Comment all of your thoughts below! Let’s talk.
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I’ve seen Errol Flynn in Robin Hood. Most of the other adaptations are new to me. Thank you for sharing.
I cannot remember if I’ve seen that one or not, but I did see Flynn in Captain Blood. :)
I have seen 4 of them:
-Robin Hood: Prince of
Thieves
-Princess of Thieves
-Robin Hood BBC TV Series
-Robin Hood, 2018
I really liked all of these! I don’t know if I like one more than the others, but I would definitely watch them all again!
I need to watch the 2018 version again (I couldn’t believe the low rating I saw while I put this together) and Princess of Thieves is one of those nostalgic titles for me. Let me know if you see any others from the list. :)
For me the 2006 to 2009 bbc serie version is the best I ever seen funny romantic adventure lovelyepic as I love Jonas and Lucy as Robin and Marianne they re so cute the way they look at each other during the serie have the real impression the actors love each other
Of course as people who love this serie I’m so sad to see Marian’s death in the second season and robin at the end of third.
Their relationship meaning so much for me and the serie
Yes the third season is dark but the end of the last episode when robin die and retrouve Marian like in afterlife is truly beautiful heart broken and sad in same time its impossible to no have your heart broken and cry like to lost to best friend or personn of your family still sharing their adventure for the first episode
I really like Jonas and Lucy as Robin and Marian too! There’s is definitely a “cute” story or romance compared to most of the Robin Hood legends. I think that is part of why I was sad over how this one ends. But I did enjoy season one a LOT! :)