Robin Hood: Blockbusters and Arrows
Ranking the Best Actors to Play Robin Hood On the Silver Screen!
Continuing my assessment of cinematic characters played by multiple actors over the years, I’ve decided to tackle that charismatic thief, Robin Hood. Like King Arthur, Robin of Loxley is a character that was around long before Hollywood started making moving pictures. Once they did, it was pretty obvious that the public domain figure would make for some pretty exciting big-screen adventures, and over the years dozens of actors have portrayed the legendary highway robber. Not to worry though, because I’ve taken the time to weed through the list to find the 5 best versions of the rebellious archer from movies. I’ll also have an honorable mention or two for a few noteworthy performances that didn’t earn a spot. So, prepare yourself for the best Robin Hoods in movie history. Oh, and be sure to check your wallet afterward. The guy is known for having sticky fingers.
5. Sean Connery– Robin and Marian
When it comes to playing legendary literary characters, Sean Connery had a hell of a run back in his days. Not only did he earn a spot among the best King Arthurs of all time, but he’s also appearing on this list too (heads up, you’ll probably see him on a James Bond list one of these days as well). His version has a bit of gray to his beard as the crusades caused him to age none too gracefully (war is hell, after all). Those years at war have made him more than a bit stubborn and turned him into the kind of man who refuses to give up in a fight. This proves to be his downfall as he battles the evil Sheriff of Nottingham for the sake of his beloved Maid Marian. Most people remember the tale of Robin Hood having a happily ever after, which is probably why I found myself drawn to Connery’s tragic take on the hero.
4. Russell Crowe– Robin Hood (2010)
Director Ridley Scott took on the tale of Robin Hood back in 2010 with Russell Crowe playing a twist on the character named Robin Longstride. This version portrayed Robin Hood as a crusader that deserted and fled to Nottingham. There he finds a blind man who he tricks into believing him to be his long lost son returned from the war. Robin’s goal to find a nice place to hide and live out the rest of his days in peace is put on the backburner as he becomes involved with a group of marauders opposing the oppressive taxes of local rulers. With momentum on his side, Robin raises an army and eventually helps to save all of England. Unfortunately, Kings tend to get jealous when they get upstaged, and Robin is declared an enemy of the kingdom, forcing him to flee into Sherwood forest. This slightly more grounded origin story allowed the character to be more of a reluctant hero, making him one of the more interesting versions we’ve seen over the years.
3. Kevin Costner– Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Behold, this is the only American that will appear on here, which is probably a good thing since the character is meant to be British. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves featured the most impressive cast of the film’s on this list, with Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, and even… Sean Connery (He played King Richard this time around)? The most important member of the cast was Kevin Costner as the Prince of Thieves himself. His character follows a similar path to all the others on this list, but with a bit of that America’s Heartland patience and thoughtfulness to him. This created a sense of cool confidence that lets him brush the pressure aside and get the job done. Other Robin Hoods might have delighted in showboating for the audience, but this one was here to do a job.