A still from ‘The Death of Robin Hood’
| Photo Credit: A24
Michael Sarnoski, who helmed the multiple award-winning Pig and the meditative A Quiet Place: Day One, presents a radically different version of Sherwood Forest’s famous outlaw in The Death of Robin Hood.There is no rock ’n’ rolla Robin Hood with Taron Egerton, Ridley Scott’s magnificently staged battles featuring Russell Crowe, the Crusades and the rightness of the Merry Men’s cause, Bryan Adams soulfully singing ‘Everything I Do’ while Kevin Costner squints meaningfully as he draws a bow or even a meandering mole, a wandering extra or a rebellious boom mike in Mel Brooks’ hilarious Men in Tights.The Death of Robin Hood (English)Director: Michael SarnoskiCast: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, Noah JupeRuntime: 122 minutesStoryline: A gravely wounded Robin Hood goes to an island priory to recover and ruminateRight in the beginning, an older Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) tells a young woman, Wainwright (Jade Croot), who has sought him out, that none of the legends about him are true (no everlasting love for Maid Marian either) and that he is a brigand and murderer. Wainwright turns out to have sought him out for revenge.Robin Hood visits his friend and fellow outlaw Little John (Bill Skarsgård) who is now a farmer called Edward (he adopts the name of the man he killed) with a wife called Margaret and a daughter, Little Margaret (Faith Delaney).In the fight to get John’s farm back, Robin is gravely injured and John leaves him on the island priory of St. Clement. As he recuperates on the island, with the help of the prioress, Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer), Robin Hood thinks of his life and choices. He helps a traumatised Little Margaret, who also comes to the island, cope, teaching her how to fashion a bow and skin a rabbit.Jackman is a towering presence as the world-weary outlaw who has seen too many things no one should have. Skarsgård and Comer give ample support while Murray Bartlett is arresting as the leper and caretaker on the island with an agenda and Noah Jupe uses his angelic good looks to conceal a traitorous heart.
