Robin And Marian (1976)

The Crusades over and King Richard (Richard Harris) dead, Robin Hood (Sean Connery) and his companion Little John (Nicol Williamson) return to England after being away for 20 years. He finds that his love Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn) is now a nun but their love for each other is too strong and in spite of the years that have passed, it is inevitable that they will reunite. But a happy ending is not in the cards. Directed by Richard Lester (PETULIA), this is a lovely companion piece to the classic 1938 ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, the definitive film on the Robin Hood legend. Connery and Hepburn are dream casting and they embody their roles with the all the power of their collective stardom and talent that have matured through the years. I have some problems about the morality of the film's ending but outside of that, I admire Lester's robust direction which doesn't romanticize either the Crusades or the Robin Hood legend yet is still romantic in its grit. The direction and performances are given excellent support by David Watkin's handsome cinematography and John Barry's aching underscore. With Robert Shaw, Ian Holm, Denholm Elliott, Kenneth Haigh and Ronnie Barker.