The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984)

Absolutely Brilliant!

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

I've been looking for this for my collection for years. It is one of the funniest films I have ever seen, and well worth the time taken to watch it. Don't expect a usual Robin Hood yarn - it's even crazier than the Disney fox-and-vixen version...There are plenty of one-liners with 'modern' references (one or two too many American references, though) and brilliant casting (Robert Hardy as King Richard is a classic). I particularly remember Maid Marion's frustration because she promised to remain chaste until marriage and Queen Eleanor's laid-back attitude to life (even chastising her son John because he didn't kill a man until he was in his mid-teens!), but I especially love the part when a group of 'good Jewish boys' 'syncronise their voices' - then count seconds in unison as they infiltrate the dungeon. And the monks singing '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall' when urged to 'Sing something holy.' And... And... Priceless.Now put it on DVD so I can own a copy!

This is not your normal Robin Hood movie. I believe it is very funny and want to see it again. There is a lot of slapstick comedy involved and it is not the best filmed movie, but I think that adds to it.My favorite line is when Maid Marion and I think Elemaor are riding and talking. Maid Marion is getting frustrated and tells ?? (I can't remember who for sure) "Put a zipper on it." The response is "Zipper? What's a zipper?" I may not have the quotes word for word since it's been years since I have seen the movie. I had it on VHS, but have since lost it or it broke. I would really like to get another copy of it though.

This is a truly horrible comedy at any level. The jokes are lame and were old in the 12th Century. The cast tries hard to work with the script but Ray Austin is no comedy director and the timing is poor. For a comedy to be believable the cast has to get into character and play it straight. Here everyone tosses out their lines with no thought seeming to be given to what is going on around them. If given the "Airplane" or "Naked Gun" treatment it might have held up better. The best scene comes early in the movie when Roddy McDowell's Prince John is being psychoanalyzed by his adviser played by Michael Hordern. After that, it's downhill all the way. Perhaps Robin just does not work as a comedy. Mel Brooks' first attempt, "When Things Were Rotten" is unable to hold up through its short run. "Men In Tights" works better because it was a targeted satire of "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves", a yawn-inducing overly serious attempt at a Robin Hood story. Sadly "The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood" fails to live up to its title.

"The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood" is a love-it or hate-it proposition. The humor is relentlessly quirky. Think of "Last Action Hero" or "Demolition Man". Not for everybody, but perfect for some. I think it's a laugh riot."Zany Robin Hood" was made for TV. It's sort of a mini-movie. As far as I know, it exists only on the VHS tapes of those lucky enough to have recorded it. I watch it every couple of years and laugh every time I see it."Zany Robin Hood" is very hard to describe. It's a combination of broad slapstick and subtle irony. Most of the actors are first-rate. Plot: Robin Hood rallies the peasants by promising that King Richard will establish what is, essentially, a 20th-century socialist democracy. Examples of the sort of humor to expect:When Robin's Merry Men jump from the trees to attack, they yell "Geronimo"! - Robin secures funding for his rebellion by promising to establish a Jewish state of Israel. - Robin's minstrel thinks he's a musical genius. No one can stop him from making up terrible songs about the slightest of their deeds.Like I said, not everyone's cup of English tea. But if you have the right sort of funny bone, this will be one of your favorites.