Just Saw Robin Hood: Fairly Libertarian

[nate895]

Some of the content might be spoilerish, but I try not to have any dead giveaways of the plot other than what is absolutely necessary to make the point.

While the latest Robin Hood takes liberties with the story itself, I like the fact that Robin Hood is fighting more against the injustice of King John and his administrators than the typical socialistic take on the story. Generally Robin Hood is depicted as some sort of socialist egalitarian who seeks to take from the rich landowners and then gives it to the poor peasant. In this movie, it sticks closer to the original message of the story by having King John and his administrator be oppressive to the Northern Barons, and their peasants by extension. Robin Hood winds up fighting a battle defending England against both foreign and domestic enemies, and King John, after giving his word to sign what sounds like an early version of the Magna Carta, which Robin Hood suggested, refuses to do so and declares Robin Hood an outlaw.

Robin Hood's battle focuses on allowing local lords and peasants be able to hunt and farm lands without intrusion from a corrupt king and a corrupt church bent on soaking the last blood out of the host of its most impoverished citizens, whose strongest defenders are off fighting a war that everyone has sacrificed. In short the film is generally anti-war, anti-tyranny, and pro-private property. I am not sure if the film's writers and producers intended it to send that kind of message, but it definitely seems to send that message. I recommend that you see the movie if you have the opportunity and see if you think that it also sends a similar message. It was a nice change of pace from the traditional Hollywood story these days of barbarous heroes fighting for an even more barbarous cause, such as the TV show 24 or any number of other spy and national security movies and TV shows.

[Raul08]

Too bad the movie was only poor-decent itself.

[dannno]

Ya that's what I always thought the real Robin Hood did.

[nate895]

Too bad the movie was only poor-decent itself.

The only problem I saw with the movie was that it doesn't appeal to the average idiot these days who just wants to see a bunch of people hacking at each other without meaningful dialogue or something that used to be called a plot.

[Raul08]

The only problem I saw with the movie was that it doesn't appeal to the average idiot these days who just wants to see a bunch of people hacking at each other without meaningful dialogue or something that used to be called a plot.Oh, I saw the hacking, but not much actual plot development that had much meaning or depth.

[jmdrake]

Ummm...it's been a long time since I saw the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood, but I distinctly remember a "the peasants should be able to hunt" message in there.

YouTube - Errol Flynn Kicks Ass with a Dead Deer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3oTt7P0rM)

And the Disney Robin Hood had a distinct anti-tax message.

[nate895]

Oh, I saw the hacking, but not much actual plot development that had much meaning or depth.

You didn't see the plot? I saw a rather distinct advancement of the plot. Most of the fighting was advancing the plot.

[literatim]

Ummm...it's been a long time since I saw the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood, but I distinctly remember a "the peasants should be able to hunt" message in there.

YouTube - Errol Flynn Kicks Ass with a Dead Deer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3oTt7P0rM)

And the Disney Robin Hood had a distinct anti-tax message.

YouTube - Robin Hood Men in Tights Party Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-01kzxLKLo)

[Original_Intent]

I expect it was fairly libertarian. I mentioned to my wife the other day when the trailer was on TV that it seemed like the movie is a bit agent provocatuerish - I think it is meant to appeal to libertarians and also, in subtle ways that only Hollywood magic can, encourage those with whom the message resonates to "do something".

I haven't seen the film, that was just a gut feeling I had.

[aravoth]

this was one of the things that pissed me off when I read "Atlas Shrugged". When Rearden and Ragnar are chit-chatting in the dead of night, and Ragnar goes on to chastise Robin Hood.

I always thought of Robin hood as an anti-state badass. No matter how the story was told. In all variations he fights the state. The "rich" at the time were the people who had the power to levy taxes. He wasn't stealing money from industrialists for christs sake. He was stealing stolen money from the ruling elite and giving it back to the people who were burglarized by the state.

[doctor jones]

I really wanna see this movie.

[Stary Hickory]

I saw this movie and thought the exact same thing through the entire movie. "Liberty by law", less taxes, keep the fruits of our sweat, a contract that guaranteed rights. I could see socialist elitists and big government types just squirming.

Funny thing is when you see the tax collectors cutting people down and terrorizing people it sends home the message that our current IRS and law enforcement are no better, they would be just as ruthless against people who would not pay due to feeling over taxed.

[nate895]

I saw this movie and thought the exact same thing through the entire movie. "Liberty by law", less taxes, keep the fruits of our sweat, a contract that guaranteed rights. I could see socialist elitists and big government types just squirming.

Funny thing is when you see the tax collectors cutting people down and terrorizing people it sends home the message that our current IRS and law enforcement are no better, they would be just as ruthless against people who would not pay due to feeling over taxed.

The only difference is that our guys aren't riding on horseback in armies ready to burn down your house. They just dress up in a suit and then ruin your whole life.

[FunkBuddha]

I always thought of Robin hood as an anti-state badass. No matter how the story was told. In all variations he fights the state. The "rich" at the time were the people who had the power to levy taxes. He wasn't stealing money from industrialists for christs sake. He was stealing stolen money from the ruling elite and giving it back to the people who were burglarized by the state.

This. The Disney Robin Hood was always my favorite.

[A. Havnes]

this was one of the things that pissed me off when I read "Atlas Shrugged". When Rearden and Ragnar are chit-chatting in the dead of night, and Ragnar goes on to chastise Robin Hood.

I always thought of Robin hood as an anti-state badass. No matter how the story was told. In all variations he fights the state. The "rich" at the time were the people who had the power to levy taxes. He wasn't stealing money from industrialists for christs sake. He was stealing stolen money from the ruling elite and giving it back to the people who were burglarized by the state.

That's how I always took the story, too. In most of the stories, Robin Hood himself is an aristocrat and landowner. Or was...

YouTube - Robin Hood: "Stop the Castle!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ZrscN8Rs8)

[tjeffersonsghost]

this was one of the things that pissed me off when i read "atlas shrugged". When rearden and ragnar are chit-chatting in the dead of night, and ragnar goes on to chastise robin hood.

I always thought of robin hood as an anti-state badass. No matter how the story was told. In all variations he fights the state. The "rich" at the time were the people who had the power to levy taxes. He wasn't stealing money from industrialists for christs sake. He was stealing stolen money from the ruling elite and giving it back to the people who were burglarized by the state.

+100

[jbuttell]

Just saw it last night, definitely the most interestingly told stories of Robin Hood I've seen. I'm a huge Ridley Scott fan though, so I'm biased... though honestly I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.

[Carole]

I was not planning to see this hollywood propaganda movie about redistribution of wealth. :eek:

However, your comments have given it a surprising and unexpected twist. How could such a movie make it beyond the cutting room floor? :D

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

That's how I always took the story, too. In most of the stories, Robin Hood himself is an aristocrat and landowner. Or was...

Actually, I believe in the original tales he was a yeoman and not a member of the aristocracy. I also believe he was a Saxon and not a Norman. He also did some rather 'despicable' things like cutting up Guy of Gisbourne's face so badly that his own mother couldn't recognize him.

[1000-points-of-fright]

YouTube - Duffy Duck - Robin Hood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ_R5XaD2-8)

[Brian in Maryland]

My favorite take on medieval government.

YouTube - Monty Python- The Annoying Peasant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA&feature=related)

[BlackTerrel]

The only problem I saw with the movie was that it doesn't appeal to the average idiot these days who just wants to see a bunch of people hacking at each other without meaningful dialogue or something that used to be called a plot.

Oh this movie has meaningful dialogue and a plot? Damn - and I was looking forward to some senseless violence and blood.



Kidding. And I know exactly what you mean. Didn't want to see this movie but now I do.

[Pericles]

Oh this movie has meaningful dialogue and a plot? Damn - and I was looking forward to some senseless violence and blood.



Kidding. And I know exactly what you mean. Didn't want to see this movie but now I do.

It came close to being a really good movie.

[jclay2]

My Dad, who is a big RP supporter, loved it. He was even willing to go see it a second time, which is a very rare thing for the guy.

[doctor jones]

Some of the content might be spoilerish, but I try not to have any dead giveaways of the plot other than what is absolutely necessary to make the point.

While the latest Robin Hood takes liberties with the story itself, I like the fact that Robin Hood is fighting more against the injustice of King John and his administrators than the typical socialistic take on the story. Generally Robin Hood is depicted as some sort of socialist egalitarian who seeks to take from the rich landowners and then gives it to the poor peasant. In this movie, it sticks closer to the original message of the story by having King John and his administrator be oppressive to the Northern Barons, and their peasants by extension. Robin Hood winds up fighting a battle defending England against both foreign and domestic enemies, and King John, after giving his word to sign what sounds like an early version of the Magna Carta, which Robin Hood suggested, refuses to do so and declares Robin Hood an outlaw.

Robin Hood's battle focuses on allowing local lords and peasants be able to hunt and farm lands without intrusion from a corrupt king and a corrupt church bent on soaking the last blood out of the host of its most impoverished citizens, whose strongest defenders are off fighting a war that everyone has sacrificed. In short the film is generally anti-war, anti-tyranny, and pro-private property. I am not sure if the film's writers and producers intended it to send that kind of message, but it definitely seems to send that message. I recommend that you see the movie if you have the opportunity and see if you think that it also sends a similar message. It was a nice change of pace from the traditional Hollywood story these days of barbarous heroes fighting for an even more barbarous cause, such as the TV show 24 or any number of other spy and national security movies and TV shows.

You nailed it! I thought it was interesting that this entire movie was essentially Robin Hood back-story and no actual Robin Hood. With Batman Begins we had half the movie on Bruce Wayne becoming Batman and then half the movie of Batman, here we didn't actually get any Robin Hood. Still a good movie but sure hope they make a sequel.