Psycho's Movie Reviews #24: Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a 1993 American adventure comedy film and a parody of the Robin Hood story. The film was produced and directed by Mel Brooks, co-written by Brooks, Evan Chandler, and J. David Shapiro based on a story by Chandler and Shapiro, and stars Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, and Dave Chappelle in his film debut. It includes frequent comedic references to previous Robin Hood films (particularly Prince of Thieves, upon which the plot is loosely structured, Disney's Robin Hood, and the 1938 Errol Flynn adaptation, The Adventures of Robin Hood).

The film also features Brooks in a minor role – the first time he had appeared in one of his own films in which he does not receive top billing or play the lead role since Young Frankenstein. In addition to Brooks, it features cameos from Brooks regulars Dom DeLuise, Dick Van Patten, and Rudy De Luca.

Plot:

Robin of Loxley is captured during the Crusades and is imprisoned in Jerusalem. With the help of fellow inmate Asneeze, he escapes and frees the other inmates. Upon returning to England, Robin finds Asneeze's son, Ahchoo, and discovers that Prince John has assumed control while King Richard is away fighting in the Crusades. Unbeknownst to Richard, the prince is abusing his power. Robin returns to his family home, Loxley Hall, only to find it being repossessed by John's men. His family's blind servant, Blinkin, informs Robin that his family is dead, and his father left him a key which opens "the greatest treasure in all the land."

Robin recruits Little John and Will Scarlet O'Hara to help regain his father's land and oust Prince John from the throne. On his quest, Robin attracts the attention of Maid Marian of Bagelle, who wants to find the man who has the key to her Everlast chastity belt. They are also joined by Rabbi Tuckman, who shares with them his sacramental wine and bargain circumcisions.

While Robin is training his band of tights-clad Merry Men, the spoonerism-spouting Sheriff of Rottingham hires the Mafioso Don Giovanni to assassinate Robin at the Spring Festival. They plan to hold an archery tournament to attract Robin. Maid Marian hears of the plot, and sneaks out of her castle to warn Robin, accompanied by her German lady-in-waiting Broomhilde.

At the archery tournament, a disguised Robin makes it to the final round, but loses after his arrow is split in two by his opponent. Robin reviews the movie's script to discover that he gets another shot. Giovanni's assassin attempts to kill Robin by shooting at him with a scoped crossbow, but Blinkin catches the arrow in midair. Robin then takes the second shot, this time using a special "PATRIOT arrow", hitting the target. Robin is arrested, with Marian promising to marry the Sheriff to spare his life.

Robin and the Merry Men interrupt the wedding between the Sheriff and Maid Marian. She is carried off to the tower by the Sheriff, who wants to deflower her but cannot open her chastity belt. Robin arrives and duels the sheriff, during which Robin's key falls into the lock of Marian's chastity belt.

After winning the fight Robin spares the Sheriff's life only to miss his sheath and accidentally run the Sheriff through. The witch Latrine, Prince John's cook and adviser, saves him by giving him a magical Life Saver in exchange for marriage. Before Robin and Marian can attempt to open the lock, Broomhilde arrives, insisting they get married first. Rabbi Tuckman conducts the ceremony, but they are suddenly interrupted by King Richard, recently returned from the Crusades, who orders Prince John to be taken away to the Tower of London and made part of the tour.

Robin and Marian are married, and Ahchoo is made the new sheriff of Rottingham. That night, Robin and Maid Marian attempt to open the chastity belt, only to discover that even with the key, the lock won't open. The film ends with Robin calling for a locksmith.

{It's sad that there's not much about the film}

Box Office:

Robin Hood: Men in Tights debuted at number 6 at the weekend box office in the United States, with a gross of $6.8 million and a total of over $10 million, after opening on the previous Wednesday. Fox was reportedly "thrilled" with the film's performance.

The film went on to gross $35.7 million in the United States and Canada. It is Brooks' fifth-highest-grossing film. Internationally it grossed $31.5 million for a worldwide total of $67.2 million.

Despite its relatively modest box office performance, Brooks mentioned that Men in Tights and Spaceballs are his two top selling films on video in a DVD interview for the latter film.

My Review:

Mel Brooks has done it again as he always does. Robin Hood: Men in Tights" is a highly underrated classic. I couldn't stop laughing 🤣 If people watch this and criticize it for bad acting, then you ain't a true fan of improv. It will never be as great as "The Princess Bride" but this will forever be a hilarious slapstick 90s comedy that all will come to love and cherish.

Mel Brooks is a national treasure and super genius. Cary Elwes is the epitome of Robin hood. Dave Chapelle, Roger Rees, Tracey Ullman and Richard Lewis played the characters perfectly. This is the BEST adaptation of Robin Hood yet!

I LOVE THIS FILM, it's hysterical - one of the only comedies to ever make me laugh all the way through {Everytime I watch this film, I have sore cheeks after XD}. My type of humour is silly humour, and boy is this film silly; a lot of Mel Brooks' films rely with silly humour (e.g Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, etc).

The first time I watched this film was with my Dad; we both have the same sense of humour, I'm so glad he showed this to me. If you're a fan of comedy I highly recommend this film, 10/10; it's hilarious! Trust me you'll be thanking me.

{These are some of the best scenes}