Throwback Movie Night: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

It can't be too long before, in a series like this, Mel Brooks makes an appearance, right? After last week's Crucible bomb, I wanted to see something fun, uplifting, and featuring rappers in Robin Hood costumes. There's only one place to go when that's what you're searching for: the 1993 movie "Robin Hood: Men In Tights"!


If you like early 1990s cultural references, somewhat off-color remarks, old school rap sequences, and
(yes) men in tights, this movie is what you are looking for. From the film debut of Dave Chappelle featuring his air Jordan sneakers where he pushed the tongue of the shoe to pump air in (remember those?!) to Patrick Stewart as King Richard, this movie brings the oddity and humor in a really good way.

Cary Elwes plays Robin of Loxley (aka Robin Hood) and he's backed up by a pretty motley crue of merry men, including his trusty sidekicks: Little John (a giant of a man, somewhat on the dumb side), Ahchoo (son of Asneeze), and Blinkin (the blind former servant of the Loxley family, who I find to be one of the most hilarious characters in the entire movie). Mel Brooks doesn't change the story around all that much, just little bits here and there: Robin was away fighting in the crusades and he returns to England to find his family all dead and his family's lands being taken away by Prince John, who has usurped King Richard's power and taken over the throne. The Sheriff of Rottingham ("Rotty") is power-hungry and decides to hunt down Robin Hood after Robin embarasses him repeatedly and then Maid Marian falls in love with Robin instead of "Rotty". The real Mel Brooks-ishness comes from the change in dialogue, hilarious scene additions,
comedic costumes, the singing and dancing scenes, and the funny twists of phrase and witty play on words.

For instance:
Prince John has a mole that shows up in a different place on his face each time he's in a scene.
The Sheriff hires an italian mafia boss (played hilariously by Dom DeLuise) to kill Robin at an archery tournament.
Using pig-latin as "The New Latin" during a wedding ceremony.
Maid Marian's full metal chastity belt.
A witch named Latrine (there's a funny quip about why her name is Latrine), the disheveled and warty full-time cook and adviser to Prince John who happens to be in love with Rotty.
And of course, Mel Brooks makes an appearance as Rabbi Tuckman, who ends up performing the marriage in a hurry ceremony for Robin and Marian.

I don't want to share too many clips because you should go watch it. If you want a fun movie which will make you giggle, I highly recommend this one.