7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Robin Hood decides to fight back as an outlaw when faced with the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater, Alan RickmanAction | 100% |
Adventure | 82% |
History | 26% |
Romance | 16% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
What cinematic (or television) version of this venerable tale is your favorite Robin Hood? As an archival featurette hosted by Pierce Brosnan included in this set as a supplement mentions in passing, there's no dearth of options in that regard, which may make the fact that many folks might almost automatically default to Errol Flynn and 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood all the more remarkable. But as some of the other supplements in this set also address, by the early nineties there were suddenly all sorts of potential Robin Hood projects being bandied about, with the result being that co-writers and co-producers Pen Densham and John Watson found themselves in something of a race to get their adaptation off the ground first. There was evidently at least some chaos and confusion during the pre-production period of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, a tendency that may have progressed into the shoot itself, but despite any perceived deficits, those opting for Flynn and The Adventures of Robin Hood as an overall favorite might then be prone to opting for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as their "runner up" second place finisher, which might make this release from Arrow alluring. However, that may then bring up a whole new question, namely which of several versions Arrow is offering would be their most wanted: not only are there 1080 and 4K UHD formats available, there are a glut of different packaging options, including a SteelBook.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's 1080 release of the film. Note that this particular 4K UHD package does not include
a
1080 disc in addition to the 4K UHD disc, but Arrow's SteelBook release does contain both 1080 and 4K UHD discs.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet
contains the following information on the transfer:
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with stereo 2.0 and 5.1 sound. The film is presented in both the original and extended cut versions.Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves tends to point up both the benefits and deficits of increased resolution, because generally speaking when Arrow's 1080 version of this film looks great, this version arguably ups the quality ante at least a little both in terms of fine detail and palette highlights, but when Arrow's 1080 version can look a bit on the rough side, that less than optimal appearance is probably on exacerbated by the 4K UHD presentation. As with the 1080 version, a lot of the rougher looking material tends to be in less fulsomely lit conditions, but in that regard, the 4K UHD's HDR and/or Dolby Vision probably boost shadow detail a bit in selected scenes like the opening sequence in the prison. As with the 1080 version, things start to warm up considerably once Robin gets to Sherwood Forest, and the 4K UHD's accounting of the lush greenery and sometimes very evocative lighting choices is a definite plus. Fine detail is noticeably better from the get go on the "woven" background behind the credits, but also continuing on in any number of production design elements ranging from costumes to props to some of the impressive sets. The same rather highly variable grain structure that is already evident in the 1080 version is only more pronounced here, and some of the yellow chunkiness also prevalent in more problematic moments in the 1080 version can look even chunkier in this version.
The original 35mm negative and 35mm intermediary elements were scanned in 4K resolution at Illuminate Labs, Hollywood. The film was restored in 4K and graded in HDR10 Dolby Vision at Silver Salt Restoration, London.
The stereo and 5.1 mixes were sourced from the original sound mix masters.
All original materials supplied for this restoration were made available by Revolution via Park Circus.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 audio options. The surround track not only significantly opens up the soundstage for both Michael Kamen's nice score and the glut of outdoor and/or crowd scenes, it also provides a much more robust midrange and low end that helps to energize the entire listening experience. There are some fun if arguably slightly daffy sound effects that can ripple through the surround channels as in the "POV" arrow shots, but there's also some nicely layered and relatively subtle sound design in the forest scenes in particular. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
- Publicity Stills (HD)
- Behind the Scenes (HD)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves may not be able to quite reach the entertainment heights of the classic Errol Flynn version of the tale, but it still has a lot going for it, with Freeman and Rickman especially memorable. Arrow provides a release with generally solid technical merits and some outstanding supplements, both on disc and non disc swag, though those wanting both a 2160 and 1080 disc may want to opt for the SteelBook release. Recommended.
1991
Deluxe Limited Edition
1991
Special Edition
1991
1991
1991
Limited Edition
1991
Extended Cut
1991
2010
Premium Collection
1938
International Version
2007
Director's Cut | Special Edition
2004
Director's Cut
2004
2016
2014
1995
2010
1995
Director's Cut
2005
2017
2000
1998
2006
2018
Ultimate Edition
2005
1995
2015
2011