“In contrast to different Robin Hoods, I can converse with a British accent.”
Of all of the numerous iterations of the legend of Robin Hood, one reigns supreme – Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Males in Tights. This Robin Hood story might not be the primary the involves thoughts out of the numerous films the timeless legend has impressed through the years. There’s Ridley Scott‘s tackle the legend, which reunited him together with his Gladiator star Russell Crowe. There’s the campy Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. There’s the 2018 effort from Otto Bathurst, which is…higher left undiscussed. And naturally, there’s the animated Disney movie, which reinterpreted the well-known archer and his allies as animals. Mel Brooks’ model, although, stands heads and shoulders above the remaining, offering probably the most compelling on-screen model of the story – an irony as a result of Robin Hood: Males in Tights is a parody.
Robin Hood: Males in Tights begins out like another Robin Hood movie: Robin of Loxley (Cary Elwes) is captured whereas combating within the Crusades and eventually returns dwelling to study that Prince John (Richard Lewis) is oppressing the individuals alongside the corrupt Sherriff of Nottingham (Roger Rees). Robin then assembles a band of merry males to take again Nottingham, all of the whereas rekindling issues together with his outdated flame Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck). Sounds easy sufficient, proper? The place Males in Tights differs is within the method it takes to the fabric.
Mel Brooks Tailored the Robin Hood Legend in His Signature Model
By the point Mel Brooks wrote, directed, and produced Robin Hood: Males in Tights, he was well-known for his satirical takes on totally different movie genres. Spaceballs was a profitable send-up of in style area films together with the Star Wars franchise. Blazing Saddles mocked the Western. And Brooks took pictures on the world of horror not as soon as, however twice with Younger Frankenstein and Dracula: Lifeless and Loving It. That custom continued with Males in Tights, proper all the way down to its opening sequence. Mentioned sequence occurs to characteristic a bunch of archers firing flaming arrows that kind the opening credit…and the inhabitants of a village operating for his or her lives. “Each time they make a Robin Hood film, they burn our village down!” one exasperated villager groans.
The jokes do not cease there. When the Sherriff challenges Robin to a duel, he slaps him with a glove within the traditional custom. Undaunted, Robin picks up a glove from a go well with of armor and whacks the Sherriff proper within the face with it. The coaching sequence with the Merry Males options them outright failing to hit archery targets or perhaps a easy jousting dummy. And each the Sheriff and Robin combat for the affections of Marian – however are hampered by the chasity belt she wears, in addition to her muscular maid Broomhilde (Megan Cavanagh) who insists she will get married earlier than any hanky panky takes place. However the funniest second must be when Robin enters an archery match in disguise. He finally ends up shedding, to the purpose the place he truly has to pull out the script to double-check the ending!
‘Robin Hood: Males in Tights’ Exhibits Mel Brooks’ Real Love For the Legend Style
Regardless that it is poking enjoyable on the Robin Hood legend and its varied tropes, Robin Hood: Males in Tights – very like Mel Brooks’ different films – confirmed that he had a real love for the legend style. The romantic moments between Robin and Marian are a transparent instance of this: there is a real sweetness to their dialogue, and Robin even breaks right into a full on romantic serenade. Even some…suggestive shadow puppetry cannot damage the second. Brooks had employed the same trick in Spaceballs, and it labored simply as effectively there. It is proof that nice comedy would not must be imply spirited or dismissive of its roots – real love for a factor means you possibly can truly give some comedic perception into it.
‘Robin Hood: Males in Tights’ Has an All-Star Solid
And what would a Mel Brooks film be with out an all star forged? In my view, Elwes is the proper Robin Hood – equal components dashing and heroic. That and he has a few of the finest comedic timing, particularly in his facial expressions. Rees is all bluster because the Sherriff, and Lewis will get some alternative strains in as Prince John. However what most individuals bear in mind Robin Hood: Males in Tights for is the movie debut of Dave Chappelle as Ahchoo. Chappelle confirmed off his reducing humorousness early on, together with a visible gag involving pump up sneakers. And in a primary for his movies, Brooks solely has a minor position as a touring rabbi with a miniature guillotine. Three guess what it does.
For me, the very best look comes from none apart from Patrick Stewart himself as Prince Richard. Sure, Mel Brooks managed to get Patrick Stewart himself in a film. And Stewart manages to lend fairly a little bit of gravitas to his sole scene within the movie – even including to the romantic overtures by marrying Robin and Marian. Although in true Brooks style, he claims the best of prima nocta and lays a kiss on Marian. This leads the Rabbi to quip, “It is good to be the king,” in an incredible homage to Historical past of the World, Half I. Even thirty years later, Robin Hood: Males In Tights manages to make me chuckle and warms my coronary heart.
Robin Hood: Males In Tights is presently obtainable to stream on HBO Max.
