Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Robin of Locksley, known as the most skilled archer of the land, has just returned to England after fighting in the Holy Crusades, where King Richard the Lionheart is also fighting. Robin finds that much of what he knew of England has gone to ruin, including his longtime family home having been taken away, all at the hands of the evil Prince John, Richard's brother who has assumed the throne in Richard's absence. Neurotic John is basically being controlled by the equally evil Sheriff of Rottingham, everything they do to fatten their own coffers at the expense of the commoners and peasants. As such, Robin recruits a band of merry men to help him battle Prince John and the Sheriff, they, who include: Blinkin, his blind longtime servant; Ahchoo, the misguided son of Asneeze, the man who helped him escape from prison while fighting in the Crusades; Little John, who seems to think that being called Little is only coincidental to the fact of he being a hulking man; and Little John's friend, Will Scarlet O'Hara, a master with daggers. In going to the palace, Robin falls in love at first sight with Marian of Bagelle, a maid of the court. Marian is looking for the man who has the figurative and literal key to unlock her heart (and private parts). The Sheriff has his own eyes on Marian, he who in turn is the object of desire of Latrine, a powerful hag of a sorceress of the court. Robin, and the Sheriff in particular, have a fight to the death mentality to achieve their end goals, which for both are protection of the throne for their trusted royal, and the heart and cherry of Maid Marian.
Working with a respectable budget of $20.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $35.7M in global revenue (+79% 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: Men in Tights (1993) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Mel Brooks's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Robin Hood
Maid Marian
Ahchoo
Little John
Prince John
Sheriff of Rottingham
Blinkin
Rabbi Tuckman
Will Scarlet O'Hara
Main Cast & Characters
Robin Hood
Played by Cary Elwes
The heroic nobleman who returns from the Crusades to reclaim his family's lands and fight Prince John's tyranny with humor and sword skills.
Maid Marian
Played by Amy Yasbeck
The beautiful and spirited object of Robin's affection who wears a chastity belt and eventually joins his cause.
Ahchoo
Played by Dave Chappelle
Robin's loyal companion from the Crusades, son of Asneeze, who brings street-smart skills to the Merry Men.
Little John
Played by Eric Allan Kramer
The enormous gentle giant who becomes Robin's closest ally after their famous bridge duel.
Prince John
Played by Richard Lewis
The scheming, incompetent usurper of the throne who taxes the people mercilessly while Richard is away.
Sheriff of Rottingham
Played by Roger Rees
Prince John's bumbling right-hand man with a speech impediment who constantly fails to capture Robin Hood.
Blinkin
Played by Mark Blankfield
Robin's blind, aged family servant who provides comic relief through his disability-based mishaps.
Rabbi Tuckman
Played by Mel Brooks
The irreverent, money-focused holy man who helps Robin and eventually performs marriages for the Merry Men.
Will Scarlet O'Hara
Played by Matthew Porretta
The flamboyant, Italian-accented member of the Merry Men who is obsessed with his family legacy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Robin of Loxley is imprisoned in Jerusalem during the Crusades, establishing his world of captivity and his identity as a noble warrior far from home.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Robin arrives home to find his family castle seized, his father murdered, and his servants blinded - destroying his old life and forcing him to become an outlaw.. At 11% 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Robin actively chooses to become "Robin Hood" and declares war on Prince John and the Sheriff, committing to the outlaw life and the fight for England's freedom., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Robin wins the archery contest despite the Sheriff's tricks and publicly humiliates Prince John - a false victory as it makes him a bigger target and escalates the conflict with the crown., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Sheriff captures Marian and announces their forced wedding, while simultaneously setting a trap to hang Robin's men - Robin faces losing both his love and his friends., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Robin devises a plan to infiltrate the castle during the wedding, combining his skills as a fighter with the loyalty and unique talents of his Merry Men for one final coordinated assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Robin Hood: Men in Tights's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Robin Hood: Men in Tights against these established plot points, we can identify how Mel Brooks 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: Men in Tights within the adventure genre.
Mel Brooks's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Mel Brooks films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Robin Hood: Men in Tights represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mel Brooks filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Mel Brooks analyses, see High Anxiety, History of the World: Part I and Spaceballs.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Robin of Loxley is imprisoned in Jerusalem during the Crusades, establishing his world of captivity and his identity as a noble warrior far from home.
Theme
Asneeze tells Robin "A man in tights is a man who's free" - foreshadowing the theme of fighting for freedom and staying true to oneself despite mockery.
Worldbuilding
Robin escapes prison with Asneeze, makes his way back to England, and discovers his family estate has been taken and his father killed by the Sheriff of Rottingham.
Disruption
Robin arrives home to find his family castle seized, his father murdered, and his servants blinded - destroying his old life and forcing him to become an outlaw.
Resistance
Robin debates what to do, gathers his Merry Men in Sherwood Forest (including Ahchoo, Little John, and Blinkin), and prepares to fight Prince John's tyranny while learning to be a leader.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Robin actively chooses to become "Robin Hood" and declares war on Prince John and the Sheriff, committing to the outlaw life and the fight for England's freedom.
Mirror World
Robin meets Maid Marian at the archery tournament, beginning the romantic subplot that will teach him about honor, love, and what he's truly fighting for beyond revenge.
Premise
Robin and his Merry Men rob from the rich, give to the poor, perform the "Men in Tights" musical number, and Robin courts Marian while building his legend and outwitting the bumbling Sheriff.
Midpoint
Robin wins the archery contest despite the Sheriff's tricks and publicly humiliates Prince John - a false victory as it makes him a bigger target and escalates the conflict with the crown.
Opposition
Prince John and the Sheriff intensify their efforts to capture Robin, Marian is threatened, the Sheriff tries to force her into marriage, and Robin's band faces increasing danger.
Collapse
The Sheriff captures Marian and announces their forced wedding, while simultaneously setting a trap to hang Robin's men - Robin faces losing both his love and his friends.
Crisis
Robin must choose between saving Marian or saving his men, confronting what matters most and finding the resolve to attempt both despite impossible odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Robin devises a plan to infiltrate the castle during the wedding, combining his skills as a fighter with the loyalty and unique talents of his Merry Men for one final coordinated assault.
Synthesis
Robin and the Merry Men storm the castle, rescue Marian from the forced wedding, defeat the Sheriff in a duel, and King Richard returns to restore justice and order to England.
Transformation
Robin and Marian marry with King Richard's blessing, showing Robin transformed from vengeful exile to heroic leader who found love and restored his honor - celebrated by all as a true hero.