Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Edit this Page
Mel Brooks Director previously directed Life Stinks

Mel Brooks' re-telling of the Robin Hood story was initially panned by critics on its release, but the film has since become a cult favorite.

Trivia:

This is actually director Mel Brooks' second time telling the story of Robin Hood. His first was the short lived 1975 TV sitcom "When Things Were Rotten"

1 More Trivia
Reference: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Much of the film's plot, including the intro where Robin escapes from a Moorish prison, is taken from Prince of Thieves. Also, when asked why people should listen to him, Cary Elwes responds with, "Unlike some Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent." This is a direct stab at Kevin Costner, who did not even attempt an accent in Prince of Thieves.

2 More Movie References
Quote: Prince John

And why should the people listen to you?

Robin Hood

Because unlike some other Robin Hoods, I speak with an English accent.

25 More Quotes
Writers
Cast
Cary Elwes Robin Hood
Amy Yasbeck Maid Marian
Dick Van Patten The Abbot
Mel Brooks Rabbi Tuckman
Tracey Ullman Latrine the Witch
Dave Chappelle Ahchoo
Richard Lewis Prince John
Mark Blankfield Blinkin
Isaac Hayes Asneeze
Roger Rees Sheriff of Rottingham
See Full Credits

Robin of Loxley (Cary Elwes) has been captured in Jerusalem while fighting in the Crusades. He imprisoned after refusing to tell his captors where his king is. He is placed next to Asneeze (Isaac Hayes), who quickly befriends Robin. The two use their strength of feet to stage a prison break. Robin and Asneeze escape to Africa, where the two part ways. Asneeze asks Robin to find and look after his son, an exchange student, upon his return to England.

Soon after his exhausting swim back to England, Robin finds Ahchoo (Dave Chappelle) being assaulted by royal guards. Robin and Ahchoo make fast friends and head to Loxley Hall, only to find that Prince John (Richard Lewis) has seized the family’s holdings for failure to pay back taxes. Also there is the family’s loyal, blind servant, Blinkin (Mark Blankfield), who informs Robin of the deaths of his father, mother, dog, goldfish, and cat. He also presents Robin with a gift from his father, a key to the greatest treasure in all the land. Robin is determined to get back his family’s property from the prince. On the way to the palace, they meet the Sheriff of Rottingham (Roger Rees) and proceed to humiliate him. Once back at the palace, the sheriff, Prince John, and his cook Latrine (Tracey Ullman) set out to stop Robin and his men.

The journey to the palace leads the merry men to a toll bridge constructed by Little John (Eric Allan Kramer), who challenges Robin to a fight and loses. After meeting Little John’s best friend Will Scarlett, Robin and crew crash a party thrown by Prince John, where he also sees Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck) and falls in love instantly.

Having met his opposition, Robin recruits fellow villagers who also are fed up with the taxes and tyranny of Prince John and Rottingham. Along the way, they meet Rabbi Tuckman (Mel Brooks), who shares with them some wisdom, counsel, and some sacramental wine. During this time, Prince John and the sheriff have come up with another plan, luring Robin to a medieval festival with an archery contest. Once there, a rival archer and sniper of Don Giovanni (Dom DeLuise) will kill Robin. Marian offers to spare Robin’s life by marrying Rottingham. Robin is placed in the care of the hangman in case Marian changes her mind.

Now desperate, Ahchoo, Little John, Will and Blinkin summon the villagers. They arrive and fight surprisingly well. Ahchoo frees Robin just as Marian is saying her vows. His plan foiled again, Rottingham kidnaps Marian to the tower. Robin arrives to save her, as Rottingham cannot do as he planned due to her chastity belt. Robin and Rottingham have a spirited sword fight, in which Rottingham is run through but saved by Latrine’s magic pill. Her one condition for saving him was that he had to marry her. Also during the sword fight, the key is wrestled away from Robin. It falls perfectly into the lock on Marian’s chastity belt, revealing that Robin is her one true love. Robin and Marian are married by Rabbi Tuckman with the blessing of the just-returned King Richard (Patrick Stewart), who sends his brother to the Tower of London. Everyone else lives happily ever after.

95 votes, 3.9 avg.

  • 43

  • 3.7

  • 6.3

  • B
General Information Edit
Name Robin Hood: Men in Tights
US Release July 28, 1993
UK Release Dec. 17, 1993
AUS Release Jan. 6, 1994
Runtime 104
Language(s)
Add a new language
Genre(s)
Add a new genre
Theme(s)
Add a new theme
Rating PG-13
Alias(es)
Top Rated Lists
Been There, Seen That a list of 467 items by DrMadHatten
Favorite Movies a list of 219 items by SycoMantis91
Midnight Movie Madness a list of 10 items by JJWeatherman
  • In today's dollars
    Domestic $35,739,755
  • = total worldwide gross $35,739,755
  • - a reported budget of $20,000,000
  • = a 78.7% net profit of $15,739,755
Top Editors
Mandatory Network

Submissions can take several hours to be approved.

Save ChangesCancel