When Robin of Loxley returns home after fighting in King Richards crusade, he discovers that his lands and titles have been seized. With the king absent, Prince John has usurped his power and together with the sheriff of Rottingham is bleeding the peasants dry...

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993. 1hr, 44 min, 22 sec) is a comedy film directed by Mel Brooks. The film was Brook’s penultimate comedy. Having directed The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974), it’s a shame that his later films became increasingly less funny and less sophisticated.

The narrative follows closely that of the original tale. Robin (Cary Elwes) returns home, gathers together a band to fight Prince John (Richard Lewis) and the Sheriff (Roger Rees Roger Rees), and win the hand of Maid Marion (Amy Yasbeck).

It would be unfair to say that the film was without its amusing aspects but failed to produce any actual laughs. This is odd, given the pool of comedic talent in the movie. Dave Chappelle, plays Ahchoo, Patrick Stewart appears as King John, an unrecognisable Tracey Ullman appears as Latrine, but none of them really have a lot of good material to work with. The one saving grace is Dom DeLuise skit based on Marlon Brando’s Godfather.

There is a single feature on the Blu-ray (5 min, 25 sec) with some behind the scene shots, but mostly its an advert for the film.

In the end the comedy feels forced and repetitious and does not represent the best of Brook’s work.

6

Charles Packer