Robin Hood
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff and King John's henchman, Godfrey.
Working with a major studio investment of $200.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $321.7M in global revenue (+61% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Robin Hood (2010) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Ridley Scott's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 20 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Robin Longstride is an archer in King Richard's army during the Crusades, a common soldier longing to return home to England after years of war.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Robin witnesses Sir Robert Loxley's ambush and death. As Loxley dies, he extracts a promise from Robin to return his sword to his father in Nottingham.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Robin chooses to assume Robert Loxley's identity permanently and marry Marion to save the Loxley estate, committing to a new life and identity in Nottingham., moving from reaction to action.
At 71 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Robin discovers Godfrey's betrayal and the French invasion plan. King John refuses to listen to Robin's warning, revealing the depth of corruption and the impossibility of working within the system., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 105 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Walter Loxley dies after revealing Robin's true parentage and legacy, representing the death of the old order and Robin's last connection to his assumed identity., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Robin rallies the barons and common people with the Magna Carta principles, uniting England against the French invasion and accepting his role as champion of liberty., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Robin Hood's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Robin Hood against these established plot points, we can identify how Ridley Scott utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Robin Hood within the action genre.
Ridley Scott's Structural Approach
Among the 22 Ridley Scott films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Robin Hood represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ridley Scott filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Ridley Scott analyses, see American Gangster, Exodus: Gods and Kings and The Martian.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Robin Longstride is an archer in King Richard's army during the Crusades, a common soldier longing to return home to England after years of war.
Theme
King Richard speaks about liberty and the rights of Englishmen before his death, foreshadowing the film's central theme of freedom versus tyranny.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Crusades' end, King Richard's death, Robin and his men's journey home, and introduction to Prince John's corrupt reign and Marion's struggling estate in Nottingham.
Disruption
Robin witnesses Sir Robert Loxley's ambush and death. As Loxley dies, he extracts a promise from Robin to return his sword to his father in Nottingham.
Resistance
Robin assumes Robert Loxley's identity to return the sword, travels to Nottingham, meets Walter Loxley and Marion, and grapples with whether to maintain the deception or return to his simple life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Robin chooses to assume Robert Loxley's identity permanently and marry Marion to save the Loxley estate, committing to a new life and identity in Nottingham.
Mirror World
Robin and Marion begin to form a genuine partnership as they work together to save the estate and protect the village, representing the theme of unity and shared purpose.
Premise
Robin becomes the defender of Nottingham, standing up to corrupt tax collectors, uniting the villagers, discovering his own father's legacy as a philosopher of liberty, and growing closer to Marion while preparing for conflict with King John.
Midpoint
Robin discovers Godfrey's betrayal and the French invasion plan. King John refuses to listen to Robin's warning, revealing the depth of corruption and the impossibility of working within the system.
Opposition
Godfrey's forces terrorize the north, King John demands more taxes, the barons revolt, and Robin must unite the fractured kingdom while the French invasion fleet approaches England's shores.
Collapse
Walter Loxley dies after revealing Robin's true parentage and legacy, representing the death of the old order and Robin's last connection to his assumed identity.
Crisis
Robin mourns Walter and contemplates his true identity and destiny. He must choose between fleeing or embracing his role as a leader of the common people against tyranny.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Robin rallies the barons and common people with the Magna Carta principles, uniting England against the French invasion and accepting his role as champion of liberty.
Synthesis
The Battle of the Beach: Robin leads the unified English forces against the French invasion, defeats Godfrey, saves England, but is declared an outlaw by King John who reneges on his promises of liberty.
Transformation
Robin, now an outlaw with Marion and his band in Sherwood Forest, has transformed from a cynical soldier into Robin Hood, legendary champion of the common people and symbol of resistance against tyranny.