Kevin Reynolds' Robin Hood: Review of the Double UHD Edition

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is one of the most famous cinematic retellings of the legend of the Sherwood outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and released in cinemas in 1991, it was one of the most expensive productions of the period, the second collaboration with Kevin Costner after that wonderful gem that was Fandango in 1985 and before the commercial disaster that would come with Waterworld in 1995.

A Crusader in the Holy Land, Robin escapes captivity with Azeem, a Muslim who follows him to England. Upon his return, he finds his land under the control of the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham, who oppresses the population, taking advantage of the absence of Richard the Lionheart. Forced to take refuge in Sherwood Forest, Robin joins a group of outlaws and organizes resistance against the tyrant, while trying to win back the love of Lady Marian.

Medieval Adventure Between Spectacle and Legend

The adventure reinterprets classic elements of the legend, introducing some fantastic figures and suggestions that distance the narrative from any historical ambition. The spectacle benefits, supported by a good medieval setting with costumes and set designs. The strong point is the cast, with the great chemistry between Costner and Freeman and especially the late Alan Rickman as the gloomy and charming Sheriff of Nottingham. The splendid soundtrack by Michael Kamen also contributes to the overall picture, so much so that it was chosen to accompany the logo of the production company Morgan Creek. Bryan Adams' song Everything I Do (I Do It for You) contributed to the film's success.

The screenplay doesn't always fully exploit the story's possibilities, and some narrative choices are not entirely convincing, but the sustained pace and the adventurous nature of the production compensate for most of the weaknesses. The result is a generous and entertaining film that has become a benchmark for adventure cinema of that decade.

Double 4K Restoration for a Complicated Film

Shot analog 35 mm on high-sensitivity film (Agfa XT 320) and therefore with more than evident grain, the 4K recovery and subsequent scan of the original film along with intermediate elements was carried out at Illuminate Labs in Hollywood. The acquisition and subsequent color correction, with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision grading, were handled by Silver Salt Restoration in London. The scan dates back to 2022 by Arrow, for both the theatrical and extended versions, here included in seamless branching on a single BD-100 (3840 x 2160/23.97p) and the usual HEVC encoding.

Original image format 1.85:1, the transition to 4K brings a perceptible improvement compared to the past 2K, starting from the definition of finer details and color rendition. Costumes, props, and set designs gain greater legibility, while some sequences benefit from a richer palette and more effective light management. This is the case for the settings in Sherwood Forest, where the green of the vegetation and the different luminous nuances favor the scenic work. Even the initial scenes set in the prisons show some benefit in the shadow areas, helping to recover some of the details.

On the other hand, some limitations also become apparent, where the increased resolution highlights a rather discontinuous grain structure. Some passages show excessive accumulations of yellowish tones, just as some new elements compared to the theatrical version have inferior hold and detail. In this sense, the less luminous sequences are those that most highlight these critical issues, making the overall result rather variable depending on the scene change.

Theatrical version available in DTS-HD MA 5.1 or 2.0 (always 16 bit) with the original dubbing from the era. A decent listening experience between dialogue, effects, music, and some subwoofer engagement, with the soundtrack at least partially showing its age, although listening via an HT system enhances the spectacle and epicness of the moment.

The register changes when moving to the extended version with new dubbing and the same audio offering, with a step forward in terms of dynamics and overall scenic presence. For both versions, the original DTS-HD MA 5.1 (24 bit) or 2.0 is available, with a broader and more engaging soundstage, enhancing Michael Kamen's soundtrack and outdoor environments. The rendition gains body especially in the mid-low frequencies, while the surround channels deliver dynamic effects and a decent attention to environmental reconstruction.

The extras include a 1991 television special hosted by Pierce Brosnan, dedicated to the legend of Robin Hood and the making of the film. This is followed by archive interviews with Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman, and Christian Slater.

As on the 2K disc and contrary to what was reported, the film commentary is not by Kevin Costner and Kevin Reynolds, but by actors Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater along with screenwriters and producers Pen Densham and John Watson. A long, very interesting chat full of anecdotes, but not subtitled and available in 4K by selecting the extended version. Partially embossed O-Card slipcover, limited numbered edition of 1,000 copies with a card that includes exclusive artwork.