According to legend, Robin Hood is an outlaw who robs the rich to help the poor, defying the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott, is a prequel of that legend, attempting to find a larger place in English history for the hero (played by Russell Crowe), who is presumed to be an archer with some leadership ability in the army of Crusader King Richard the Lionheart (played by Danny Houston). Amid the massacre of history in the film, some facts bookend the story. Richard dies in 1199, whereupon John (played by Oscar Isaac) becomes king. John marries Isobel de Angoulême (played by Léa Seydoux) to keep a shaky title over parts of France. In 1215, John perfidiously promises to sign the Magna Carta to forestall a rebellion by the barons, who resent taxes imposed upon them by John. When John refuses to implement the Magna Carta (in the film John burns the document without signing it), the film suggests that the king made Robin an outlaw, whereas in reality the barons brought in French troops, crowned Prince Philip of France to be king, John died while in retreat, and his son was proclaimed Henry III, whereupon the barons recognized Henry and ousted Philip. In other words, the film consigns the Robin Hood legend to less than a year if historical facts have any bearing. MH
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