Princess of Thieves

It's 1184 Nottingham, England. During reign of King Richard the Lionheart, a girl is born to Robin and Marion. Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell) would have placed a price on the son's head but is unconcerned about a girl. Gwyn (Keira Knightley) grows up under the tyrannical rule of Prince John for his absent brother King Richard. Her father Robin of Locksley is often away and her mother Marion is pass. Richard is gravely injured and heir to the throne Prince Philip (Stephen Moyer) is coming from France. Robin and Will Scarlett go off to aid Philip. Gwyn sets off to help dressed as a boy helped by friend Froderick despite her father forbidding it. Robin and Will are captured while Gwyn runs into Philip pretending to be a servant.

This should a lot simpler. Instead there is a lot of political intrigue. It's also way too serious. The material is treated like a Shakespearian play. The production is pretty good considering this is a TV movie. Keira Knightley is great at such a young age. Stephen Moyer is too old especially acting opposite Keira. The chemistry is about what one expects from a 30 year old with jailbait Keira. It's a little creepy. Even Froderick is annoying in his puppy love mode. Keira is great though.

There are no major surprises here. It's a family-friendly(ish) revision of the Robin Hood tale, fast-forwarding a few years so that his daughter can have her own adventure and prove loyalty to a new king. There are definite Girl Power vibes, complemented with customary themes of defying traditional and familial expectations, pride and stubbornness, daddy issues, oppression by the rich and powerful, finding courage - and a terribly contrived romantic element that's distinctly, tawdrily forced. Robin is a mostly absent father, Marion is dead because that's the only thing older women are allowed to be aside from manipulative antagonists, and heroine Gwyn's story echoes the most oft-repeated rendition of the classic tale we know. Add in one young up-and-comer who was then just earning her own reputation, one or two very recognizable names to lend star power, and voila! A movie! 'Princess of thieves' isn't anything we've seen before, but it's suitably enjoyable for a lazy day.

The production design and art direction are solid; fine work went into the picture from behind the scenes. Costume design, hair and makeup, set design and decoration, and props and weapons are all swell. Peter Hewitt's direction is perfectly competent, and though built more than not on one convention after another, Robin Lerner's screenplay duly meets the needs of modest action-adventure. The cast is restricted by material that's unremarkable in the first place, and that's further toned down per the demands of Disney, but all perform admirably to bring their characters to life. Keira Knightley illustrates her developing potential in the lead role; Jonathan Hyde revels in the overconfident personality of Prince John, while Malcolm McDowell is a steady anchor for any project.

While decidedly common, the greatest fault of 'Princess of thieves' is simply that the specifics of its construction dampens its best impact. Despite the very title and premise, at no few points this movie seems more like the story of Philip than of Gwyn as the young king is spotlighted and takes charge. The tale of Robin Hood could and should be a saga of popular uprising, of the people seizing their rights and destiny from the clutches of a corrupt and abusive state, but such notions are given scant, fleeting treatment here. (And while they could be a powerful and influential force for good, Disney is the last corporation that would truly look to inspire individual agency against monolithic entities.) And like the themes the film does emphasize, the utmost value of storytelling judiciousness is lost in oversimplified and ham-handed writing that's geared toward feel-good family fare. It's unfortunate, because the end result is that this just isn't all that it could have been if all bindings were loosed.

One is left wistfully yearning that all involved - cast, crew, flim-makers - could have spearheaded a production that wasn't confined to the auspices of Disney's kitsch. Still, though it's far from perfect, none of the flaws and shortcomings that present completely erase the entertainment. Even if you're an especial fan of someone on hand, there's nothing about this so special as to demand viewership; all the same, if you're looking for something light and uncomplicated, this is a decent way to fill 90 minutes. Don't go out of your way for 'Princess of thieves,' but it's satisfactorily enjoyable if you come across it.

I've not seen this film. I only wanted to commend the reviewer kelley-8 who, in a review posted on 1 September 2001 - at the very least a full year before Keira Knightly made her breakthrough in Bend it Like Beckham, said "The actress who played Gwyn is beautiful and should have a long career." I was so impressed reading this. Of course, Knightly went on to become a famously successful Hollywood actor as Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Caribbean, but also got to play famous literary roles such as Anna Karenina and Elizabeth Bennett (in Pride and Prejudice). For such brilliant insight, someone should buy that man (or woman) a drink or six. :)

This film is not worth your time. I watched it when it premiered on TV out of a lack of anything better to do. And I remember thinking very clearly that the lead actress was strikingly attractive, but a very weak actress. Since then, Keira Knightley has proved that my initial impression might was far too hasty. In fact, her performance in Pride & Prejudice is absolutely Oscar-worthy. But her performance is not worth sitting through this mess. It is a weakly conceived, cheaply made film, and has none of the inherent pleasure of the original Robin Hood legends. The acting is, without exception, overwrought. And many of the scenes are simply painful in memory (like the bad-guy speech right when he is prepared to kill an aging Robin, which gives the secondary hero an opportunity to regain his sword. Are writers never going to tire of that scene?) Robin Hood enthusiasts and Knoightley fans alike should pass this one over.

I saw this movie on THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF Disney, and was immediately enchanted by it. In fact, I wrote to Disney repeatedly about how I could acquire it for my own collection, and got it at a Disney store, I think. I thought the actors were all good, but I especially liked Stuart Wilson, who played Robin Hood. He reminds me of Errol Flynn, who I thought played that part best in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, made by MGM in 1938. The actors who played Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham were quite good, and I thought Kiera Knightley and the guy who played Prince Philip were excellent. I'm glad the movie was made, because I always wondered what happened to Robin and Marian after King Richard's return. If I would be asked who should see it, I'd say anyone 12 or older, as it includes references that are sexual.