--- title: "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves" critics_score: 50 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991): what the critics said Critics' score 50 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 1 mixed, 5 negative. The reviews are divided, with enthusiasm for the swashbuckling competing with frustration at the storytelling. Praise clusters around the supporting cast, particularly Alan Rickman’s gleefully camp Sheriff of Nottingham, while Morgan Freeman also draws favourable notices. Admirers enjoy the action, humour and irreverence, finding enough dash to forgive the untidiness. Even some less persuaded critics find the action sequences entertaining and the supporting performances stronger than the leads. The divide is wide: what supporters find spirited, detractors find muddled or simply dull. Kevin Costner’s casting and performance attract repeated criticism, alongside complaints about the length, script and awkward insertion of modern social messages. Direction also splits opinion, earning praise for imaginative staging and criticism for being stolid. The AV Club goes further than most, arguing that racism, sexism and inconsistent characterisation make the film difficult to enjoy beyond its nostalgic appeal. ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. The critic praises the swashbuckling adventure for its handsome entertainment value and dash. Director Kevin Reynolds is singled out for imaginative staging and a roving camera that turns familiar events into an enjoyable popcorn epic, with strong turns from Costner, Rickman and Freeman. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0jwmh6/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves/) ## Time Out Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the mix of comedy, '90s sensibility and swashbuckling action more hit than miss, though the overall effect is rather slapdash. It calls the film spirited and irreverent, but notes it will not suit those who prefer their myths kept sacred. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves) ## Empire — Phil Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film fun and frantic but undermined by historical inaccuracies, a turgid script, and Kevin Costner sleepwalking through the lead role. It is largely saved by Alan Rickman's gleefully camp performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/robin-hood-prince-thieves-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 1991. The critic calls the film muddled and overlong, a jumble of action, preaching, and comic antics that tries to please everyone. Notes Kevin Costner's awkwardness in the lead role. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-14-ca-439-story.html) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 1991. The critic finds the film a mess and joyless reconstruction that awkwardly incorporates modern social messages. Praises the performances of Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Morgan Freeman as the highlights. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/14/movies/review-film-a-polite-robin-hood-in-a-legend-recast.html) ## The AV Club — Marah Eakin Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 2 October 2014. The film does not hold up on rewatch and is a clunky, poorly acted mess that is disjointed, racist, and sexist. The critic singles out the inconsistent characters, spotty plotting, and uncomfortable scenes for complaint while noting some nostalgic appeal from childhood viewings. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/23-years-after-its-release-robin-hood-prince-of-thiev-1798272872) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 1991. The critic describes the film as a dull, dutiful trek through the legend with no real affection from the filmmakers. Notes the stolid direction and miscasting of Kevin Costner. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1991/07/01/divided-self) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 18 June 2009. The critic calls it one of the most enjoyable blockbusters of the 1990s despite flaws like Costner's accent. They single out Alan Rickman's outstanding, scene-stealing performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2008. Despite some cheese and ham, this is popcorn of the best kind thanks to its entertaining action, rousing score and standout Alan Rickman performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves-film-review-by-stephen-carty) ## HeyUGuys — Sam Inglis Rating 3/5. 30 November 2022. The film remains fantastic fun in its action sequences and strong supporting turns, though it feels dated and long at times with miscast leads. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves-4k/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/robin-hood-prince-of-thieves.md