Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood decides to fight back as an outlaw when faced with the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Despite a moderate budget of $48.0M, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves became a runaway success, earning $390.5M worldwide—a remarkable 714% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 16 wins & 25 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Robin of Locksley
Marian Dubois
Azeem
Sheriff of Nottingham
Will Scarlet
Little John
Friar Tuck
Mortianna
Main Cast & Characters
Robin of Locksley
Played by Kevin Costner
A noble crusader who returns to England to find his lands seized and his father murdered, becomes an outlaw fighting tyranny.
Marian Dubois
Played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
A strong-willed noblewoman and childhood friend of Robin who initially resists but eventually joins his cause.
Azeem
Played by Morgan Freeman
A Moorish warrior who swore an oath to protect Robin after being saved from execution in Jerusalem.
Sheriff of Nottingham
Played by Alan Rickman
The cruel and power-hungry ruler of Nottingham who terrorizes the people and plots to seize the throne.
Will Scarlet
Played by Christian Slater
An angry young outlaw with a mysterious grudge against Robin who eventually becomes his trusted ally.
Little John
Played by Nick Brimble
A massive outlaw who challenges Robin and becomes his loyal companion and enforcer.
Friar Tuck
Played by Michael McShane
A jovial but fierce fighting monk who provides spiritual guidance and comic relief to the outlaws.
Mortianna
Played by Geraldine McEwan
The Sheriff's dark witch advisor who practices dark magic and prophecy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Robin of Locksley imprisoned in Jerusalem, tortured and enslaved in a dark prison, stripped of his former noble life and freedom.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Robin finds his father murdered, castle burned, and learns the Sheriff of Nottingham killed him and branded him a devil worshipper. His entire world and identity as noble son destroyed.. 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 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After fighting Little John and earning the outlaws' respect, Robin makes the active choice to stay and lead them, transforming from noble son seeking personal revenge into leader of the people fighting tyranny., moving from reaction to action.
At 72 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Robin and his men execute their most daring raid yet, stealing the Sheriff's gold during a major supply convoy. False victory - they've won the battle but raised the stakes, making the Sheriff desperate and dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 107 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Sheriff's forces attack Sherwood, burning the camp and killing many outlaws. Duncan is killed (whiff of death). Robin's community destroyed, people scattered or captured. Marian taken prisoner. Everything Robin built is lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 114 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Robin learns the Sheriff plans to force Marian into marriage to legitimize his power grab. Robin synthesizes his noble training with his outlaw experience, realizing he must fight not for revenge but to save others and restore justice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Reynolds 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: Prince of Thieves within the action genre.
Kevin Reynolds's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Kevin Reynolds films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kevin Reynolds filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Kevin Reynolds analyses, see Waterworld, The Count of Monte Cristo and Risen.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Robin of Locksley imprisoned in Jerusalem, tortured and enslaved in a dark prison, stripped of his former noble life and freedom.
Theme
Azeem tells Robin: "I will go with you, and guard your back. You saved my life, I must save yours." Theme of loyalty, brotherhood, and honor across cultural divides.
Worldbuilding
Escape from Jerusalem prison. Journey to England with Azeem. Robin returns home to Locksley to discover his father murdered by the Sheriff, lands seized, and England under tyranny during King Richard's absence.
Disruption
Robin finds his father murdered, castle burned, and learns the Sheriff of Nottingham killed him and branded him a devil worshipper. His entire world and identity as noble son destroyed.
Resistance
Robin debates revenge versus justice. Meets Marian who challenges his recklessness. Encounters Duncan, his father's blind servant, who becomes guide. Survives assassination attempt. Flees to Sherwood Forest where he meets outlaws led by Little John.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After fighting Little John and earning the outlaws' respect, Robin makes the active choice to stay and lead them, transforming from noble son seeking personal revenge into leader of the people fighting tyranny.
Mirror World
Marian visits the forest camp. Her presence represents civilization, law, and the love that will teach Robin to fight for others, not just revenge. She challenges his outlaw methods.
Premise
Robin trains the outlaws, raids the Sheriff's tax collectors, redistributes wealth to the poor. Builds community in Sherwood. Romance develops with Marian. Becomes legendary hero "Robin Hood" - the fun and adventure the premise promised.
Midpoint
Robin and his men execute their most daring raid yet, stealing the Sheriff's gold during a major supply convoy. False victory - they've won the battle but raised the stakes, making the Sheriff desperate and dangerous.
Opposition
The Sheriff escalates violence, hiring Celtic witch Mortianna and calling for reinforcements. Sets trap using Marian as bait. Attacks the forest camp. Robin's arrogance and the outlaws' growing confidence make them vulnerable.
Collapse
The Sheriff's forces attack Sherwood, burning the camp and killing many outlaws. Duncan is killed (whiff of death). Robin's community destroyed, people scattered or captured. Marian taken prisoner. Everything Robin built is lost.
Crisis
Robin mourns in the burned forest, consumed by guilt and despair. Questions his leadership and whether his pride caused the deaths. The surviving outlaws are demoralized and scattered.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Robin learns the Sheriff plans to force Marian into marriage to legitimize his power grab. Robin synthesizes his noble training with his outlaw experience, realizing he must fight not for revenge but to save others and restore justice.
Synthesis
Robin rallies the outlaws and common people for assault on Nottingham Castle. Infiltrates the wedding, battles the Sheriff's forces. Azeem's loyalty pays off as he saves Robin. Final confrontation where Robin kills the Sheriff and saves Marian. King Richard returns.
Transformation
Robin and Marian marry with King Richard's blessing, surrounded by the freed outlaws and common people. The imprisoned, revenge-driven noble has become a married hero of the people, fighting for justice rather than personal vengeance.