Robin Hood 1973
Made by
Buena Vista Distribution Company
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Robin Hood (1973). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In a whimsical tale featuring an ensemble of animal characters, the story revolves around Robin Hood, a clever fox, and his formidable companion Little John, a brown bear, who courageously rob the rich to uplift the poor.
At the film’s outset, they cleverly outsmart Prince John, a treacherous lion, and his sidekick Sir Hiss, a cunning snake. Prince John has taken over the throne from the rightful ruler, King Richard, who has been hypnotized by Sir Hiss and sent off on a Crusade. In a daring act, Robin and Little John disguise themselves as fortune tellers, successfully making off with valuable items from the royal carriage of Prince John.
As their adventure unfolds in Nottingham, we see the ‘honorable’ Sheriff of Nottingham, portrayed as a scheming wolf, collecting taxes from the townspeople. After pressuring a local blacksmith, a dog, for dues, the Sheriff confronts a widow bunny and her children, snatching away a farthing given to her son Skippy, who has just turned seven. But hope arrives when an old blind fox enters, revealing himself to be Robin Hood. He gifts Skippy a bow and arrow along with his signature hat, igniting a spark of joy in the young rabbit.
Skippy, along with his two sisters and turtle friend, eagerly tries out the bow and arrow. His first attempt sends an arrow flying into Prince John’s castle. In a brave move, Skippy sneaks in to recover it, crossing paths with Maid Marian, another fox, and Lady Cluck, a lively hen. They invite him and his siblings inside, sharing stories of Marian’s affection for Robin and engaging in playful games, where Lady Cluck whimsically impersonates Prince John.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Sherwood Forest, Robin and Little John enjoy some downtime until they are joined by Friar Tuck, a wise badger. He informs them of an upcoming archery tournament hosted by Prince John, offering a kiss from Maid Marian as the grand prize. Despite Little John’s concerns, Robin decides to compete in disguise as a stork, with Little John masquerading as a Duke. Robin triumphs in the tournament but is soon exposed by Prince John, who plans to seize the rogue. Just as danger looms, Little John creates a distraction, transforming the event into chaos, allowing Robin, Little John, Maid Marian, and Lady Cluck to escape back to the safety of Sherwood Forest.
Later that evening, the forest resonates with laughter as they sing a parody about Prince John, affectionately dubbing him “The Phony King of England.” This merriment ripples through Nottingham, inciting the Sheriff to sing along, much to Prince John’s outrage. In retaliation, the prince imposes exorbitant taxes, imprisoning many townsfolk unable to pay up. Things escalate when the Sheriff raiding the church Poor Box prompts Friar Tuck to stand against him, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Determined to capture Robin Hood at all costs, Prince John devises a trap, threatening to hang Friar Tuck. In a daring rescue mission, Robin Hood, along with Little John, sneaks into the castle, freeing all imprisoned townsfolk while making off with Prince John’s gold. Amidst the chaos, they save Skippy’s youngest sister, but Robin finds himself caught inside the castle. As the Sheriff pursues him with a flaming torch, it ignites the castle, forcing Robin to leap into the moat and escape.
As the tale concludes, peace returns with King Richard’s arrival from the Crusades. He punishes Prince John, Sir Hiss, and the Sheriff by assigning them to hard labor, while the townspeople joyfully celebrate the union of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, marking a new beginning for Nottingham.
Timeline
Track the key events of Robin Hood (1973) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Prince John's Usurpation
The story begins with the treacherous lion, Prince John, who has taken over the throne from the rightful King Richard. King Richard has been hypnotized by Sir Hiss, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to Prince John's cunning machinations.
Robin and Little John's Clever Heist
Robin Hood, a clever fox, and his formidable companion Little John decide to steal from the rich to help the poor. In a daring act, they cleverly disguise themselves as fortune tellers and successfully rob Prince John’s royal carriage, escaping with valuable items.
Sheriff's Tax Collection
In Nottingham, the 'honorable' Sheriff of Nottingham, a scheming wolf, is seen collecting exorbitant taxes from the townspeople. He confronts and pressures a local blacksmith for dues, showcasing his cruel enforcement of Prince John's dictates.
Skippy's Gift from Robin Hood
An impoverished widow bunny finds new hope when Robin Hood, disguised as an old blind fox, gifts her son Skippy a bow and arrow along with a signature hat. This generous act uplifts the spirits of the widow's children and inspires young Skippy.
Skippy's Archery Adventure
Eager to try out his new bow and arrow, Skippy accidentally sends an arrow flying into Prince John's castle. In a courageous move, he sneaks in to retrieve it and meets Maid Marian and Lady Cluck, who share stories and engage in lighthearted games.
The Archery Tournament Announcement
Friar Tuck, a wise badger, informs Robin and Little John about an archery tournament hosted by Prince John, promising a kiss from Maid Marian as the grand prize. Despite Little John’s concerns about the risks, Robin devises a plan to compete in disguise.
Robin's Victory and Revelation
Robin Hood participates in the archery tournament disguised as a stork and impressively wins the competition. However, his triumph is short-lived as Prince John exposes his identity, leading to an intense confrontation that threatens Robin's escape.
The Great Escape
As danger looms, Little John causes chaos at the tournament, distracting Prince John and allowing Robin, Maid Marian, and Lady Cluck to escape. They manage to flee back to Sherwood Forest just in time, avoiding capture.
The Phony King of England Song
Later that evening, Robin and his friends share laughter as they sing a parody about Prince John, dubbing him 'The Phony King of England.' This catchy tune spreads laughter throughout Nottingham, irritating Prince John and inciting his anger.
Prince John's Retaliation
Outraged by the laughter incited by Robin and his friends, Prince John responds by imposing heavy taxes, imprisoning many townsfolk who cannot pay. This retaliation heightens tensions in Nottingham as the poor are pushed further into despair.
Friar Tuck's Stand
The Sheriff raids the church's Poor Box and arrests Friar Tuck when he bravely stands against this injustice. This confrontation highlights the growing strife between the townsfolk and the Sheriff's oppressive regime.
Robin's Daring Rescue
Determined to rescue Friar Tuck and the imprisoned townsfolk, Robin Hood and Little John devise a plan to infiltrate Prince John's castle. In a heart-pounding attempt, they free the captives and seize the Prince’s gold, showcasing their daring bravery.
The Castle Ablaze
During the escape from the castle, the Sheriff pursues Robin with a flaming torch, which ignites the castle. With flames erupting around him, Robin makes a harrowing leap into the moat, narrowly escaping the impending disaster.
King Richard's Return
The story culminates with the triumphant return of King Richard from the Crusades. He punishes Prince John, Sir Hiss, and the Sheriff by assigning them to hard labor, restoring order and justice to the kingdom.
Celebration of Robin and Marian
As peace returns to Nottingham, the townspeople joyfully celebrate the union of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. This marks a new beginning for the kingdom as hope and prosperity are restored under the rightful rule of King Richard.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Robin Hood (1973) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood, a clever and brave fox, is the protagonist of the story, known for his sharp wit and unmatched archery skills. He embodies the spirit of justice and compassion, rallying his friends to fight against the injustices imposed by the tyrannical Prince John.
Little John
Little John, a loyal and strong brown bear, is Robin Hood's formidable companion and confidant. His bravery and physical prowess compliment Robin's cleverness, making them an effective duo in their quests against oppression.
Prince John
Prince John is portrayed as a treacherous lion who seizes the throne and imposes heavy taxes on the poor. His cunning nature and desire for power make him the central antagonist, as he relentlessly tries to capture Robin Hood and maintain his control over Nottingham.
Maid Marian
Maid Marian, a loving and wise fox, is Robin Hood's love interest, representing warmth and support amidst the chaos. Her affection for Robin adds emotional depth to the tale, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck, a wise and jovial badger, serves as a voice of reason and morality in the forest. His loyalty to Robin Hood and the townsfolk, coupled with a strong sense of justice, make him a beloved ally in their fight against injustice.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Robin Hood (1973), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The story unfolds in a time reminiscent of medieval England, characterized by feudal systems and the disparities between the wealthy and the poor. Themes of heroism and rebellion echo throughout the tale as Robin Hood stands against tyranny.
Location
Nottingham, Sherwood Forest
Nottingham serves as the primary setting where the citizens suffer under the oppressive rule of Prince John. Sherwood Forest, a symbol of freedom and camaraderie, is where Robin Hood and his band of merry companions orchestrate their daring escapades against injustice.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Robin Hood (1973). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Heroism
Heroism is a central theme in 'Robin Hood,' as our clever protagonist bravely fights for the down-trodden. His unwavering commitment to justice showcases the courage needed to stand up against corruption, inspiring others to join his cause.
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Social Justice
The movie underscores the importance of social justice, presenting the struggle between the wealthy oppressors and the impoverished townsfolk. Robin Hood’s acts of redistributing wealth embody a powerful message about equity and the fight for the rights of the disadvantaged.
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Love
The love shared between Robin Hood and Maid Marian adds a personal dimension to the story, enriching the narrative. Their relationship symbolizes hope and loyalty, fostering a sense of unity amidst chaos and strife.
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