- published: 10 Feb 2016
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Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a 1993 English-American adventure comedy film and a parody of the Robin Hood story. Produced and directed by Mel Brooks, the film stars Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, and Dave Chappelle in his film debut. The film includes frequent comedic references to previous Robin Hood films (most particularly Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, upon which the plot is loosely structured, Disney's Robin Hood, and The Adventures of Robin Hood), early-1990s pop culture, and real-life subjects.
Robin Hood, or Robin of Loxley (Cary Elwes), is captured during the Crusades and is imprisoned at Khalil Prison in Jerusalem. With the help of fellow inmate Asneeze (Isaac Hayes), who is in for jaywalking, he escapes and frees the other inmates. Robin is asked by Asneeze to find his son, Ahchoo (Dave Chappelle, in his first major professional role). Upon returning to England, he finds Ahchoo and discovers that Prince John (Richard Lewis) has assumed control while King Richard is away fighting in the Crusades. Unbeknownst to Richard, the prince is abusing his power. Robin's family home, Loxley Hall, has been repossessed by John's men. He vows to get it back before all his family's things are taken.
The standard story of Robin Hood: Evil Prince John is oppressing the people while good King Richard is away on the Crusades. Robin steals from the tax collectors, wins an archery contest, defeats the Sheriff, and rescues Maid Marian. In this version, however, Mel Brooks adds his own personal touch, parodying traditional adventure films, romance films, and the whole idea of men running around the woods in tights.
Keywords: 1190s, 12th-century, absurd-humor, action-hero, adventure-hero, ambush, anachronism, archer, archery, arrow
[preparing to ravish Maid Marian]::Sheriff of Rottingham: A chastity belt! That's going to chafe my willy!
[Blinkin, the blind man, is up in a perch looking out for strangers]::Robin Hood: Blinkin! What are you doing?::Blinkin: Guessing. I guess no one's coming.
Little John: Let me introduce you to my best friend: Will Scarlet.::Scarlet: Scarlet's my middle name. My full name is Will Scarlet O'Hara.::[pause]::Scarlet: We're from Georgia.
Blinkin: Oh Master Robin!::[hugging a replica statue of the Venus de Milo]::Blinkin: You lost your arms in battle! But you grew some nice boobs.::Robin Hood: Blinkin, I'm over here.
Robin Hood: Prepare for the fight scene!
Prince John: Such an unusual name, "Latrine." How did your family come by it?::Latrine: We changed it in the 9th century.::Prince John: You mean you changed it TO "Latrine"?::Latrine: Yeah. Used to be "Shithouse."::Prince John: It's a good change. That's a good change!
Man in church: [Imitating Lou Costello] He-e-y Abbot!::Abbot: I hate that guy!
Prince John: And why should the people listen to you?::Robin Hood: Because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent.::[referring to the then recent blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in which Kevin Costner played the role with an American accent]
Robin Hood: Blinkin, listen to me. They've taken the castle!::Blinkin: I thought it felt a bit drafty. Cor, this never would have happened if your father was alive.::Robin Hood: He's dead?::Blinkin: Yes...::Robin Hood: And my mother?::Blinkin: She died of pneumonia while... [Remembers] Oh, you were away!::Robin Hood: My brothers?::Blinkin: There were all killed by the plague.::Robin Hood: My dog, Pongo?::Blinkin: Run over by a carriage.::Robin Hood: My goldfish, Goldie?::Blinkin: Eaten by the cat.::Robin Hood: [on the verge of tears] My cat?::Blinkin: Choked on the goldfish.::[pause]::Blinkin: Oh, it's good to be home, ain't it, Master Robin?
Prince John: Tell everyone that when the day is out we shall have a wedding. Or a hanging. Either way, we're gonna have a lot of fun, huh?