If you are looking for an NTSC VHS or R0 DVD copy of the film email
me.
The All-New Tale of Robin Hood's Heroic Daughter.
Formats | DVD Features | DVD Review | Notes
| Pictures + Making of Sounds | Summary - Official Mini | Summary - Full | My Review |
Malcolm's Dialogue + Screenshots
| Character | Actor |
| Sheriff of Nottingham | Malcolm McDowell |
| Gwyn | Keira Knightley |
| Philip | Stephen Moyer |
| Prince John | Jonathan Hyde |
| Robin Hood | Stuart Wilson |
| Froderick | Del Synnott |
| Conrad | Adam Ryan |
| Will Scarlett | Crispin Letts |
| Friar Tuck | Roger Ashton-Griffith |
| Cardaggian | avid Barrass |
| Archbishop | Peter Cellier |
| Countess Tourtelot | Gaye Brown |
| Herald | Dick Ward |
| Tourtelot's Courier | Luke De Lacey |
| Baron | Christopher Whittingham |
| Mary Duff | Gillie Gratham |
| Stranger | Nicholas Murchie |
| Captain | Peter McQueen |
| McCamley | Jonathan Pembroke |
| Merchant | Andrew Dunford |
| Volunteer Peasant | Robert Rawles |
| Servant | Paul Ready |
| Coachman | Brendon Gregory |
Directed by Peter Hewitt
VHS - NTSC (Regular + Emmy Screener) / DVD R1
"Princess of Thieves: The Adventure Behind the Adventure"
Audio Commentary with Director Peter Hewitt
Dolby Digital Surround sound
Fullscreen (1:33:1)
French and Spanish Subtitles
Chapters
Opening Titles / A Tale Kept Secret
White Birds
A Test of Loyalty
No Place for a Girl
Prince Philip
Not Among Friends
Wish for a Thief, You'll Get One
Her Dearest Friend
"We've Got our Prize"
Loyal Companions
Where's Philip?
Robin O' Locksley
Archery Tournament
The Sheriff's Banquet
Hostage
Escape
Breakfast in the Rack Room
Prince Philip is Alive!
True Identity
Betrayal
Justice
Prince John's Coronation
From this Day Forward
End Credits
This DVD has two extras which is better than
most of Malcolm's movies. The featurette is cool, but it is less than 8 and a
half minutes long!? You know they have to have mabye hours of footage, so why not show it?
Nine minutes worth is such a waste. Make it 45 to 60 minutes, really get into
the behind the scenes aspects of the film. The featurette does have some clips of
Malcolm. He tells how it was like a family on the shoot because there were so
few English speaking crew members. He also asks why he was the only one in the
film to have curly hair.
The only other thing is the commentary by the director, Peter
Hewitt. It was not the best commentary as there were times when almost 5 minutes
would go by without him saying anything. Of course it would have been great to
have Malcolm, Keira and maybe Stuart Wilson there. This would've filled in those
times and added so many more points of view. He did a decent job of explaining
things, but it could've been a bit better. He said he was so thrilled that the
"superstar" Malcolm agreed to play the Sheriff and was very happy with
his performance and what he brought to the film. One of the best stories was how
when they finally got their chairs which they sit on when they aren't filming
that there was a problem. As we know too well, Malcolm's last name was spelled
wrong and the Romanians were so embarrassed that the took the chair away and
quickly repainted it. They joked that Malcolm would sit on the paint and his
name would be backwards on his costume. Another story was that after Malcolm
read the script he said he would only due the film if he DIDN'T have ride a
horse. Peter said no problem and that had him on a horse for one scene anyway
and was surprised to see he rode like a pro. It is the first scene where we she
the Sheriff on the horse riding in, other scenes aren't him. When talking about
the duel between Robin Hood and the Sheriff he said how Stuart was such a method
actor. He would train and practice and then Malcolm would just pick up the sword
and say "C'mon let's do it!" and just go at it and be so good at it.
The only other thing missing was a widescreen presentation of
the film. A bonus for Disney fans is there are 8 trailers for upcoming Disney
discs that aren't mentioned on the package.
If you have a DVD-ROM you can get a special Disney viewer
with choice of skins and access to the www.disneydvd.com
website.
Sound 8
Picture 7
Extras 5
Overall 6
Part of The Wonderful World of Disney, premiered on ABC 3/11/01.
Rated PG, digital sound, Dolby digital, close captioned.
Keira was only 15 when they filmed it.
The budget was tight and filming was only 5 weeks in Romania because it is cheap to film there and it has the old world locations.
"Princess of Thieves" is a production of Granada Entertainment USA for "The Wonderful World of Disney." Executive producers are Michael Taylor, Susan Landau, Antony Root, Robert Rovner, and Jon Cowan, with Craig McNeil serving as producer. Peter Hewitt ("What Happened to Harold Smith?," "The Borrowers") directed the film from a teleplay by Robin Lerner and Sally Robinson. International rights to the film are controlled by Granada Media International.
DVD
Making of pictures and sounds
Adventure Behind the Adventure Title
Sheriff by firelight
Picture shown when Peter mentions Malcolm as the Sheriff.
Malcolm Behind the Scenes in a castle set
"Welcome to downtown Romania and here we are making Princess of Thieves and boy are we having fun!"
Malcolm
in the make-up chair
Malcolm in director's style chair
Malcolm standing with Jonathan
"How come I'm the only one with curls... like Maggie Thatcher? Is there any reason for that?"
Malcolm is fed up with the food
Studio Shots
Sheriff
w/Logo
Small
Sheriff
Sheriff holding a longbow
Sherwood Forest has a courageous new hero - Gwyn, the daughter of Robin Hood - in this thrilling new adventure packed with swashbuckling fun for the whole family. Possessing the cunning skills of her legendary father and the beauty and intelligence of her mother Marion, Gwyn (Keira Knightley, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace) is anxious to follow in Robin Hood's footsteps. But he'd rather see her remain safely behind under the watchful eye of Friar Tuck and her best friend Froderick. As King Richard nears death, Robin Hood and his Merry Men are summoned to help bring Richard's son Prince Philip to his rightful place on the throne before the evil Prince John can assume power. But when Robin Hood is captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell, My Life so Far) and sentences to death, his life and the future of England lie in Gwyn's inexperienced hands.
A messenger rides to an English castle in 1182
to deliver a message to the owner. The owner is the Sheriff of Nottingham and
is informed by his lackeys that Robin Hood has just had a child. He says to put a bounty out on him equal to
the bounty on Robin Hood. Him? He is told that it is a daughter. The bounty talk
is then dropped and they all have a good laugh.
Gwyn, Robin Hood's daughter, is shown growing up
alone in one quick scene ending with her becoming 18. She is then seen doing
common chores link mending clothes, milking cows and playing around with best
friend Froderick who is studying to be a priest. Her mother has died and she has
been raised by Friar Tuck.
Word comes that Robin
Hood will finally returned after being away for 5 years. King Richard III is dying
and the throne is up for grabs between Prince John, his corrupt brother and his
good son Prince Philip. Prince John has come to Nottingham himself to test the Sheriff's
loyalty and he passes. Philip is coming to England from France to take the
throne and John wants to know who would be protecting him. The Sheriff tells him
Robin Hood, but not to worry because he is in Jerusalem and John tells him that
is wrong, he is in fact back in Nottingham. The Sheriff tells John that
isn't a problem and will fulfill John's orders to have Philip killed. He will be
able to recognize him by his ring.
Robin Hood is off to protect Philip, not even
staying a day. Gwyn wants
to go. Of course he won't stand for it. He says he will be right back. She tells
him that is what he always says. He tells her she can go next time and she has
heard that lie before. She has a plan to help watch their backs. Will Scarlett
is also there and he says she is clever like her father and like her mother in
every other way. Robin will not be swayed. She storms off telling him how good
she is with a bow and that he doesn't even know her at all. Robin leaves and in the most unrealistic
part of the film, Gwyn cuts her hair, gets clothes from Froderick, and goes off pretending to be a boy.
They have a head start on her, but she knows
where they are going. She hasn't spotted them, but sees a man falsely accusing a
child of stealing pies. She tries to get him to stop, but he won't She then
tells him, "wish for a thief and you'll get one." She grabs the
pies and guards chase her causing a major disruption in a market. She runs in
Froderick who has followed her and takes his horse and gives the pies to the
children - stealing
from the rich and giving to the poor, like her father. She goes off into the
woods splitting up with Froderick. She is soon outnumbered , but before she is
captured a man on a horse grabs her.
Needless to say it is her father he is extremely mad at her.
When she tells him what she did, Will is happy because her diversion helped out
on their mission. Meanwhile Froderick is captured and taken prisoner. Robin
tells her to stay put until they come back for her, but she wants to save
Froderick. Robin is still angry and won't listen until Will reminds him that he
is her best friend and Robin would never leave him hanging.
The Sheriff wants to use Froderick to capture Robin Hood and Will.
They chain him up in the dungeon, but he proclaims his innocence. He knows
nothing of the prince and was just on his way to the archery tournament. The
jailor wants to torture him, but the Sheriff say to just let him go and follow
him.
Philip is in a horse and carriage being transported to England with
Countess Tourtelot and her servant, but has to stop and get out. He can't stand
the trip and doesn't want to rule anyway. He doesn't like the public or
political life. He best friend Conrad tries to convince him otherwise. When they
stop that night Conrad overhears that the Countess has sold Philip out to be
killed. Conrad grabs Philip and tells them they have to be on their way
fast. They escape and make it to England by boat. To play it safe, when
they arrive Conrad switch
places with Philip in case they are attacked. They arrive in the same village as
Gwyn to meet their contact, Robin Hood. But it isn't Robin, it is the Sheriff's
man. He lures them out in the open and before Philip can put the ring back on,
Conrad is shot in the back with an arrow. Philip jumps on a horse and rides
away. They let him go, since they believe they have their prize.
Gwyn sees Philip's horse and tries to steal it, but Philip is
wise to her. Once he finds out she is a girl he then lets her have the horse.
She is upset that because she is a girl she will just give it to him, thinking
her weak. Philip says they can share the horse, since he is going to Sherwood,
it'll work out. She says it would be bad for him since she is wanted in 5
counties and he tells her he is wanted in all of England. Once he proclaims his
loyalty to Richard III she agrees. Philip says he is Conrad and the prince is
dead.
The body of the prince is brought to John and he clears
everyone out and pretends to mourn. But when the countess comes over she tells
him that it isn't Philip since John has never seen him because he has lived in
France the whole time. He goes down to the dungeon to find out where Philip is,
but Will and Robin won't tell him. They mock him instead and Philip decides to
torture it out of them.
Philip just wants to go back to France. He doesn't want
to be king and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. Gwyn just wants to rescue her father.
When Philip finds wants to get Robin Hood because he believes Robin is the
killer. Gywn is flabbergasted and assures him this isn't the case because he is
her father. Now he isn't so sure.
When the arrive at the next down a man hands her a leaflet
for the archery tournament since she is in archer's gear. She is very eager to
enter when she finds out the grand prize a banquet is dinner with the Sheriff in
his castle since she believes that is where her father is. They immediately go
off to sign up. Philip say Gwyn is her brother, Wilfred of Lancaster, since
girls can't get in. Meanwhile John screams at the killer who killed Conrad
instead of Philip.
The Sheriff rides in on his horse to judge the archery contest
and his aide informs him of the death of Philip. The contest starts where
everyone takes a lane and shoots at the target, a shot in the red center area
keeps you in the game. Gwyn looks at the Sheriff with hatred and proclaims him a
phony. Every round the targets at moved back further and further until Gwyn
hesitates and misses a shot at 75 paces. The Sheriff is bored and has had
enough. He commands the target back to 100 paces and decides that whomever can
get closest to his shot wins. Gwyn is out of the contest, but Philip tells
the Sheriff she will take his place and when someone complains he mocks him at
behind afraid of one so young. The Sheriff's shot hits dead center and many come
close, but Gwyn's shot splits his in two.
They attend the banquet and Philip pigs out, bug Gwyn can't
eat, she is to eager to sneak way to rescue her father. Philip tells her better
to be captured on an empty stomach, but then he recognizes a man who walks in as
the killer who pretended to be Robin Hood. They quickly sneak off.
The Sheriff takes 20 of his best men and
sets off after them. Gwyn and Philip quickly ditch their horse and hide, but are
captured. Lucky for them it is Friar Tuck, Froderick and all their followers who
have been hoping to free Robin Hood. Gwyn explains who Philip is an all begin to
lose hope now that Philip is dead. Philip doesn't really care, since he didn't
want that life anyway.
Once Philip sees the refugee camp and hears the horrors that
John has inflicted on his people he starts to change his mind a bit. Now he
knows that going back to France means turning his back on these people, but he
still doesn't think he is the man for the job anyway. He asks Froderick about
his sister Gwyn, but he tells her they aren't sisters and instead tells him they
are engaged to keep him away from her.
Somehow during all this the Sheriff is captured, but his men
escape. He is tied to a tree and questioned by Gwyn who learns that her father
is in the Tower of London and will be dead by dawn. Froderick has watch of the
Sheriff at night and the Sheriff asks for some water and when he gives it, slams
it back in his face and knocks him out. The Sheriff takes his knife and cuts
away the ropes and escapes without anyone knowing it.
The next day Gwyn finds the Sheriff is gone and is enraged
that Froderick slept on his watch. He explains how he was tricked, but she
doesn't care. She wants to go off to London herself to rescue Robin, but Philip
sways everyone to join him in going to London.
Richard has dies and Robin is being tortured on the rack.
Soon John will take the throne. Meanwhile the Sheriff gears up his men to hunt
down Philip. A servant overhears this and starts spreading the word that Philip
is alive. Soon all the villagers hear this.
Once Frederick reveals to Gwyn he loves her and
lied to Philip about them being engaged, Gwyn and Philip are ready to profess
their love for each other make out. The word that Philip is alive has spread to
their group. Froderick says that means Conrad is a traitor, but Gewn insists
that it is a pipe dream and Conrad wouldn't have lied. This forces Philip to
reveal that in fact he did lie to protect Philip, but now he has learned the
error of his ways and has seen John's treachery first hand. He pulls the Kings'
ring out of his pocket and all fall down to him even Gwyn. But Philip picks up
Gwyn to put her at his side and promises her John will not be king and they will
save her father.
Early the next morning they set off for London, but a traitor
in their group sells them out to the Sheriff. The trap is set and the group is
attacked, but the traitor doesn't live to tell about it. They are split up and
Philip is now all alone. The retreat is called, but it is a ruse so the Sheriff himself
can fire the killing arrow at Philip, but Froderick and Gwyn see this and
Froderick jumps in the way and takes the arrow in the chest, but doesn't die.
Everyone now rides to London. Gwyn and Philip
open up the gate where Friar Tuck and his men are waiting. Then the pair free
Robin Hood who leads the charge against the Sheriff's men. Meanwhile Prince
John's coronation is under way and he will be crowned king in a matter of
minutes. Gwyn and Philip go off to stop the ceremony while Robin stays to stop
the Sheriff. Soon Robin and the Sheriff are sword fighting and the Sheriff wins.
Robin jumps away to freedom, but the Sheriff's assassin catches Robin and holds
him so the Sheriff can shoot him with an arrow at 50 paces. The Sheriff is only
too happy to oblige and shoots the arrow at him, but i doesn't make it. Robin Hood is freed and the Sheriff faces him in a duel, beating
him. An arrow shoots the Sheriff's arrow right out of the air, of course it was
Gwyn who had returned. The Sheriff turns to shoot her, but stops when he sees
that all his men have been defeated.
Philip breaks in to stop the ceremony, but it is too late.
John has been crowned. Once the people hear that it is Philip and John's forces
have been defeated, then it doesn't matter. John tries to order Philip killed,
but no one will listen. Gwyn comes in and takes the crown giving it to Philip.
The next day Gwyn is all dressed up for Philip's
ceremony and Philip wants her at his side, but she
feels she is a commoner and won't have it. He says that the King should be
able to have whatever he wants, but she wants to be with her father. Philip
tells her he has given Froderick the post of ambassador to Spain and she
promises to serve him faithfully for the rest of his life. He leaves and she
goes off to the stables. Robin finds her there and tells her he stayed away for
all those years because though his life was good for him, it wasn't what he
wanted for her. It didn't matter anyway and now he considers them equals. Since
she won't go off with Philip he wants them to become partners.
They attend the ceremony where Philip rides down the street
and he smiles at Gwyn as she watches. Gwyn's mother, Marion, narrates and
explains that Philip wasn't well known in history and never married while he was
king. Then Robin, Gwyn and his band ride off into the sunset, she turns back to
the castle and laughs. The End
When you get Malcolm in the first minute of
the movie, that is a good sign! The first word spoken in the film is by him "WHAT!?" and you know that
voice. All in all it is what you expect, but a little better.
The whole Gwyn as a boy thing was insane. She is a total girl,
there is nothing boyish about her. She doesn't dirty her face, hide her head -
nothing. No one alive would EVER mistake her for a boy - she has perfect lips
and eyebrows - a total joke. Since it takes place in 1200 AD no one would think
a girl would dress as a boy so they don't question it. The action was watered down,
the effects on the cheesy side and the story totally predictable. There is
really nothing original during the whole story and most of the characters are
not much more than two dimensional. During the big battle
no one is stabbed or shot at all - very weak, even for Disney. Gwyn is way too
feisty and uppity for a girl from that time which also makes it quite
unbelievable.
Malcolm, while having the main villain role, isn't seen on
screen much. It isn't even explained what happened to him! The
shooting contest was great with Malcolm as the pro who was really bored with the
whole thing. Though Malcolm doesn't like horses, he really rode like a pro
in his one scene. He had some of the best lines and it was different to see him
shooting a bow an arrow. The scene where he was captured was so stupid because
all of a sudden they have him tied to a tree, but no one else. How could they
just capture him and why wouldn't his guards come after him? All when the
Sheriff is supposed to shoot Philip during the battle it doesn't make sense. He
stops the battle which he was winning just to shoot him! Then he only shoots
once? Why not shoot again since he has an open target?? Very weak. One of his
best scenes is when he has the traitor shot and takes the money back, classic
Malcolm. I was glad to see he was a strong character and not a dope. He actually
beats Robin in the duel, even though he escapes. They never explain what
happened to the Sheriff, so we can hope he'll be around again in a possible
sequel.
Overall
it was an enjoyable film even though it wasn't groundbreaking. Malcolm looked wicked in his evil black attire on
horseback and firing a bow. It was a great role for him as well, much better
than last years crap like St. Patrick, Southern Cross, Cyborg 3 or any of those
bad B movies. He certainly seemed to enjoy himself
and the long sandy brown hair is a very different look for him that worked. It's
weird to see him without the white hair. i recommend it to everyone just for him
since everything else is sort of bland. Keira looks very good for someone who
was only 15 at the time and while she did a good job, she alone wasn't worth
watching the film. Without Malcolm in it you would turn it off pretty quick.
Rating: 6/10
Since the Sheriff doesn't have many lines I transcribed them all with a note about the scene above each section and a screenshot for each.
Robin Hood becoming a father and the bounty for his child:
What!?
Equal to the price set on his fathers'.
Not a son? Are you quite certain?
Hahahahahaha! A
girl! Hahaha!
The news of Richard's imminent death:
Ah, Richard the Lionheart has died, crossbow to the neck, it's doubtful he
survived the journey home in fact he may be gone this very hour. Here's to King
John. An illegitimate son who no one has ever seen. Philip will stay in France.
I bid thee welcome.
On hunting down Philip:
Now. Yes, your highness. So it will be done. No doubt.
Robin Hood is in Jerusalem. Don't worry about Robin Hood, I'll take care of
him...you have my word.
Checking the weather in the courtyard
The search for Philip:
Patrol the surrounding fields and woods. For all we know Philip may already be
here in hiding. Any sign of Loxley? He doesn't travel on main roads
captain! He
flies...like one of his arrows.
The capture of Froderick:
The boy out there, what does he say? No. Release him, then have him followed.
Arrival for the tournament:
What's happening in the market. Ah, yes I've forgotten. Any other news? Unfortunately
the climate didn't agree with him...he died.
Make it 100 paces. 100 paces. The man nearest my arrow takes the prize. C'mon boys, move it along, take your best shot.
No excuses. Are you afraid the little one will better you? He doesn't even have his whiskers. He's not from around here, is he? His style...with the bow, does it remind you of anyone?
Taking charge of the hunt:
Take 20 bowman on horseback, have them ready to search. We ride at
once...this
time the boy dies.
Answering Gwyn's question:
What? Not for very long. No one lasts very long in the tower dungeon.
Tricking Froderick:
Boy. Some water, some water.
Off to the showdown with Philip:
Send the messenger ahead of us, they must double the guard at the tower. Ha, you
didn't see this mouse. Spitting image of her father, his skills, his blatant
disrespect for the law. I should've slaughtered her in her crib, oh she'll known
fear and death. I'll teach her both, but first, Philip must die. Long live King
John...to London.
Talking to the traitor
Firing the arrow at Philip
The ambush:
No, which one is he? Out of my sight you filthy wretch. And you didn't say thank
you. Go on. Argh, come on.
Holding a sword at Robin's throat
Dueling with Robin:
Well, well, I never thought you'd survive the crusades. Oh, no...your sword is
just beyond your reach. Not long enough!
Locking swords with Robin against the wall
Isn't it time you retired to the country? Fine idea! And a fitting end for Robin Hood.
Pictures © 2001 ABC/Disney
This page © 2001-08 Alex D. Thrawn for www.MalcolmMcDowell.net