User reviews

There are no major surprises here. It's a family-friendly(ish) revision of the Robin Hood tale, fast-forwarding a few years so that his daughter can have her own adventure and prove loyalty to a new king. There are definite Girl Power vibes, complemented with customary themes of defying traditional and familial expectations, pride and stubbornness, daddy issues, oppression by the rich and powerful, finding courage - and a terribly contrived romantic element that's distinctly, tawdrily forced. Robin is a mostly absent father, Marion is dead because that's the only thing older women are allowed to be aside from manipulative antagonists, and heroine Gwyn's story echoes the most oft-repeated rendition of the classic tale we know. Add in one young up-and-comer who was then just earning her own reputation, one or two very recognizable names to lend star power, and voila! A movie! 'Princess of thieves' isn't anything we've seen before, but it's suitably enjoyable for a lazy day.

The production design and art direction are solid; fine work went into the picture from behind the scenes. Costume design, hair and makeup, set design and decoration, and props and weapons are all swell. Peter Hewitt's direction is perfectly competent, and though built more than not on one convention after another, Robin Lerner's screenplay duly meets the needs of modest action-adventure. The cast is restricted by material that's unremarkable in the first place, and that's further toned down per the demands of Disney, but all perform admirably to bring their characters to life. Keira Knightley illustrates her developing potential in the lead role; Jonathan Hyde revels in the overconfident personality of Prince John, while Malcolm McDowell is a steady anchor for any project.

While decidedly common, the greatest fault of 'Princess of thieves' is simply that the specifics of its construction dampens its best impact. Despite the very title and premise, at no few points this movie seems more like the story of Philip than of Gwyn as the young king is spotlighted and takes charge. The tale of Robin Hood could and should be a saga of popular uprising, of the people seizing their rights and destiny from the clutches of a corrupt and abusive state, but such notions are given scant, fleeting treatment here. (And while they could be a powerful and influential force for good, Disney is the last corporation that would truly look to inspire individual agency against monolithic entities.) And like the themes the film does emphasize, the utmost value of storytelling judiciousness is lost in oversimplified and ham-handed writing that's geared toward feel-good family fare. It's unfortunate, because the end result is that this just isn't all that it could have been if all bindings were loosed.

One is left wistfully yearning that all involved - cast, crew, flim-makers - could have spearheaded a production that wasn't confined to the auspices of Disney's kitsch. Still, though it's far from perfect, none of the flaws and shortcomings that present completely erase the entertainment. Even if you're an especial fan of someone on hand, there's nothing about this so special as to demand viewership; all the same, if you're looking for something light and uncomplicated, this is a decent way to fill 90 minutes. Don't go out of your way for 'Princess of thieves,' but it's satisfactorily enjoyable if you come across it.

It's 1184 Nottingham, England. During reign of King Richard the Lionheart, a girl is born to Robin and Marion. Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell) would have placed a price on the son's head but is unconcerned about a girl. Gwyn (Keira Knightley) grows up under the tyrannical rule of Prince John for his absent brother King Richard. Her father Robin of Locksley is often away and her mother Marion is pass. Richard is gravely injured and heir to the throne Prince Philip (Stephen Moyer) is coming from France. Robin and Will Scarlett go off to aid Philip. Gwyn sets off to help dressed as a boy helped by friend Froderick despite her father forbidding it. Robin and Will are captured while Gwyn runs into Philip pretending to be a servant.

This should a lot simpler. Instead there is a lot of political intrigue. It's also way too serious. The material is treated like a Shakespearian play. The production is pretty good considering this is a TV movie. Keira Knightley is great at such a young age. Stephen Moyer is too old especially acting opposite Keira. The chemistry is about what one expects from a 30 year old with jailbait Keira. It's a little creepy. Even Froderick is annoying in his puppy love mode. Keira is great though.

I didn't see this one when it originally aired. I watched it on DVD many years later. It's a cute little movie with Keira Knightley as the daughter of Robin Hood, who is kind of a deadbeat dad. The basic plot is that Robin is captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham (anything-for-a-paycheck Malcolm McDowell), so his daughter must complete his mission of protecting Prince Philip (Stephen Moyer), the heir apparent to the throne of England. A romantic subplot inevitably develops between teenage Knightley and twice-her-age Moyer that thankfully never gets too gross. He does look younger than his age here. It's a cheesy little movie but pleasant enough. The music's overbearing at times. Nothing special but a good time-passer.

I enjoyed watching this movie. It is well made with an interesting script and good acting performances. Kiera Knightly, especially, is wonderful to watch.

Scriptwise it is fairly formulaic. Basic themes are: teenage coming of age, taking responsibility and the danger of the misuse of power.

The thing that really grated was the scriptwriters wilful lack of knowledge of the powers of English kings.

Watch it, it's amusing entertainment but of little enduring value.

This film is not worth your time. I watched it when it premiered on TV out of a lack of anything better to do. And I remember thinking very clearly that the lead actress was strikingly attractive, but a very weak actress. Since then, Keira Knightley has proved that my initial impression might was far too hasty. In fact, her performance in Pride & Prejudice is absolutely Oscar-worthy. But her performance is not worth sitting through this mess. It is a weakly conceived, cheaply made film, and has none of the inherent pleasure of the original Robin Hood legends. The acting is, without exception, overwrought. And many of the scenes are simply painful in memory (like the bad-guy speech right when he is prepared to kill an aging Robin, which gives the secondary hero an opportunity to regain his sword. Are writers never going to tire of that scene?) Robin Hood enthusiasts and Knoightley fans alike should pass this one over.

Princess of Thieves is very cliché and over the top at times, but it is a cute little tv movie, and it's fun to see a young Keira Knightly. The film is the basic Robinhood story that has been told a thousand times. The only difference is that this time Robinhood has a daughter, Gwyn (Keira Knightly). Gwyn desperately wants her father's attention and to be like her father. It's your normal young girl who has to prove she belongs in a man world story, but it was okay and not too preachy though there were times like we get it you can do anything a man can do. It was defiantly slow at times and toned down for tv and probably for kids. The cons are that the story tries to be too complex for their budget. Also, the villains were a little too over the top, and the acting, in general, wasn't great at times. Other than Keira Knightly, the rest of the cast was nothing special. However, Keira Knightly was super cute, and it was fun to see one of her earlier roles. All in all, it was an okay family film. Just don't overthink it.

I mean, they fight like lads. Even a girl will keep a sword more strongly than this. There is a scene where a wood door is blown away with one foot kick. Peter Hewitt (I) must never have seen a wood door or he must think that in good old England, the wood doors must be something like todays done-in-a-day houses in US.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like the story and all. I appreciate the fact that it's not a bloody movie. But it could use a director who knows his work better than this one.

Laughable historically inaccuracies, poor script, laughable acting and hilarious story make this movie barely worth 2/10. In particular I would love to know how ~40 peasants with pointy sticks and a goat managed to defeat the king's army without casualties. Also how did they get from Nottingham to London with no horses so quickly (did they all ride on the same goat). I suspect the notorious prisons of the Tower Of London weren't actually made of cardboard and you couldn't really escape by getting a good run-up at the doors. Etc. Etc. Etc. Malcolm McDowell has made many poor movies in the past and this is no exception.

Everyone fighting against Prince John have a lot of passion for their cause. It's also great that they depict Gwyn and even the aging Robin as people who have a lot of spunk. "You have egg on your beard" says Robin to John while being tortured. That's a crack-up classic. The humor was done very well in this movie and it's a shame that it's underrated. I can't remember anything else that I should praise it for but it's a shame that I didn't tape it.

This is not one of the best TV movies I've ever seen, but it isn't hateful. The acting of Kiera Knightley was excellent, as was Stuart Wilson(Robin Hood) and Crispin Letts (Will Scarlett). Most of the others were pretty terrible, but that's forgiving. The script needed a bit of a touch up in places, but I don't think there is even one line of Robin's that I didn't like. "You have egg in your beard..." he says to Prince John.

The one thing that really bothered me in this movie was the sword fights. They looked as if these extras coordinated them on their own, and had about an hour to practice. They have no speed, no feeling, and I imagine that Bob Anderson would have had a fit with these.

Apart from the sword fighting (and that annoying Pope near the end...), nothing really bothered me about this movie. If you're looking for something to watch while holding the hand of your date, avoid this movie at all cost. If you're baby-sitting several kids, or are just bored out of your mind, this movie is flawless. Other than that, it seems to be just average. I've seen better, but I've seen much worse *cough*Attack of the Clones*cough*

Laughable storyline, unconvincing plot, very poor production and the actors are not invested in the movie.

Aside from the gross factual inaccuracies of this movie (ie king Richard having a son and that son replacing John on the throne) this movie was a sweet love tale full of adventure. I'm sure that this movie will appeal to the younger generation of girls and boys.

This movie is truly a classic. I know that some of the actor's skills are a bit suspect, but some of them, like Keira Knightly, had began to show some of their true talent in this film. Also, the script is incredibly witty in some places, and incredibly meaningful in the next. And finally, the idea behind the movie is excellent. 10/10 for me...a TV classic

Although I am not a purist or any other kind of radical as well as usually abstaining from strong language I am forced to say just one thing...: THIS FLICK SUCKS!!! The story is not only as cheesy as the Sherwood is green, it is so predictable that you have uncovered the plot after 10 minutes... if you haven't fallen asleep after the first 5... If you have the choice between seeing this "movie" and staring at a pure white wall for 2 hours... watch the wall!

I saw this movie on THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF Disney, and was immediately enchanted by it. In fact, I wrote to Disney repeatedly about how I could acquire it for my own collection, and got it at a Disney store, I think. I thought the actors were all good, but I especially liked Stuart Wilson, who played Robin Hood. He reminds me of Errol Flynn, who I thought played that part best in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, made by MGM in 1938. The actors who played Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham were quite good, and I thought Kiera Knightley and the guy who played Prince Philip were excellent. I'm glad the movie was made, because I always wondered what happened to Robin and Marian after King Richard's return. If I would be asked who should see it, I'd say anyone 12 or older, as it includes references that are sexual.

Of all the made for TV Disney movies that came out recently, this is one of the best. Keira Knightley is fine as the daughter of Robin Hood, and Malcolm McDowell is fine as the sheriff of Nottingham. Like all the made for TV movies though, the film is somewhat too flat to make it a real movie, but Keira and crew do it justice.

Check it out.

Kudos to ABC and Disney for making an MOW look like a real film. Can't believe this story wasn't told sooner. Hope it becomes a series. I could watch Robin Hood's daughter and the middle-aged merry men every week. Performances were strong. The actress who played Gwyn is beautiful and should have a long career. Way to go ABC!

I enjoyed this film. It's really good for a TV movie. I think that Hallmark might of had a hand in this show. The DVD is not very good so I recomend that you see it on VHS. The set and costumes are well done to the way the book is set.

While not exactly a brilliant masterpiece, this movie is solid, steady entertainment. The basic elements of a Robin Hood setting are there, but with a "daughter of Robin Hood" -approach to give a little variation to the theme.

Even though it's a "new" plot, they've kept a lot of familiar Robin Hood -themes in the film, including an archery contest and the same old villains - what would a Robin Hood -story be without Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham, after all? And just like her father, Gwyn steals from the rich and gives to the poor, and desires justice and fairness to the people. All the classical elements are there, but with a little "girl power" in the mix.

There's also a rather nice father-daughter dynamic going on, with Robin trying to shelter his daughter from the dangerous life he lives. Gwyn, on the other hand, won't have any of that nonsense, and is more than willing to prove that she's "just as good as a son". The movie doesn't really explore medieval gender roles all that deeply, though - Gwyn dressing as a man is made slightly fun of, but there's no shock nor any disapproval of what might have even be considered sinful back then. The clothes may be medieval, but the attitudes are rather modern, and in that sense this is a rather typical adventure film, that doesn't let historical accuracy get in the way of a good story.

Keira Knightley does a delightfully energetic performance as the tomboyish and almost recklessly fearless Gwyn, and adds a lot to the freshness of the film. If you intend to watch this film because you're a fan of Keira Knightley, I doubt you'll be disappointed. The actors in general are giving solid, although maybe not the most memorable performances.

If you're looking for an entertaining, sort of harmless "feelgood" adventure movie, and are a fan of medieval type of settings, this is the movie for you.

I've not seen this film. I only wanted to commend the reviewer kelley-8 who, in a review posted on 1 September 2001 - at the very least a full year before Keira Knightly made her breakthrough in Bend it Like Beckham, said "The actress who played Gwyn is beautiful and should have a long career." I was so impressed reading this. Of course, Knightly went on to become a famously successful Hollywood actor as Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Caribbean, but also got to play famous literary roles such as Anna Karenina and Elizabeth Bennett (in Pride and Prejudice). For such brilliant insight, someone should buy that man (or woman) a drink or six. :)