Three and a half decades ago, two films exploring the tale of Robin Hood—known for robbing the wealthy to aid the impoverished—were released simultaneously in theaters, leading to a cinematic rivalry. The clear victor was Kevin Costner’s high-budget film, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” However, the other adaptation, simply titled “Robin Hood,” directed by John Irvin and featuring Patrick Bergin as the titular character alongside a young Uma Thurman as Maid Marian, often fades into obscurity.
Irvin, now 85, reflected on the project, stating, “We aimed to create a standalone film that could rival Costner’s interpretation.” The studio’s urgency was fueled by a desire to beat Costner’s film to theaters. Ironically, Irvin’s version may not have been produced had it not been for the buzz surrounding Costner’s heavily Americanized take, which debuted two months later in 1991.
Prior to his role as chair of 20th Century Fox in 1989, film executive Joe Roth had been working on a Robin Hood project. When he joined Fox, he could not carry the project with him, leading to Warner Bros. acquiring it and ultimately producing “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” In response, Roth quickly approved an alternative film, bringing Irvin on board as director, who had gained recognition for his work on the acclaimed miniseries “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” featuring Alec Guinness.
“I remained focused on the project without getting embroiled in the studio politics,” Irvin commented. The filming commenced in October 1990, lasting three months, with principal photography conducted at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire—a Victorian estate designed in a medieval style—as well as in nearby salt mines and the picturesque landscapes of Gwynedd in North Wales. Irvin acknowledged the challenges, noting, “The production faced difficulties due to the cold and wet winter conditions; it was not conducive for depicting ‘Merry England.’ The bare trees made it hard to stage ambushes.”
Serendipitously, the crew discovered a series of salt mines near Cheshire Castle, which Irvin found ideal for an underground setting. He aimed to portray a more authentic representation of the Robin Hood narrative amid the medieval backdrop. The political climate of the time, marked by protests against poll taxes in England, subtly influenced the film’s tone, leading to interpretations of an anti-Thatcher sentiment among some critics. Irvin aspired to infuse relevance into the story without being overtly political, striving for a nuanced approach.
The narrative centers on Bergin’s character challenging Norman authority in 12th-century England, with Jeroen Krabbé playing the antagonist and Jürgen Prochnow vying for the affection of Thurman’s Maid Marian. Irvin’s intimate portrayal allowed Bergin to delve deep into the character, coinciding with his role as Julia Roberts’ abusive spouse in the thriller “Sleeping with the Enemy.”
Bergin faced considerable challenges during filming due to chronic colitis. “He was often ill, requiring us to use body doubles frequently,” Irvin recalled. “We had to maintain discretion about his health since he hadn’t disclosed it on his insurance.” He praised Bergin’s performance, expressing surprise that he did not achieve greater fame akin to that of Liam Neeson. “He had a significant presence,” Irvin remarked, recalling a recent encounter with Bergin, who now focuses more on his music career than acting.
At the time, Uma Thurman was just 20 and best known for her performance in “Dangerous Liaisons.” Irvin had initially considered her for a role in Costner’s film, leading him to quickly cast her as the female lead. He noted, “She was an ideal fit. At that time, she had just married Gary Oldman, who was discreetly observing from the sidelines.”
The film “Robin Hood” was released internationally, but in the United States, it debuted as a three-hour television movie in May 1991. While it garnered positive reviews, it was overshadowed by Costner’s film, which premiered a month later and became a massive summer hit, grossing nearly $400 million globally.
Reflecting on the experience, Irvin recalled a conversation with a Warner Bros. executive who said, “You received the reviews, but we attracted the audiences.” He concluded, “I believe our film has aged well. The story of Robin Hood is deeply ingrained in our cultural narrative. In times of oppression, having a figure like Robin Hood, who defies the establishment, resonates powerfully.”
