Princess of Thieves
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| Princess of Thieves | |
 North American DVD release |
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| Approx. run time | 88 minutes |
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| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Robin Lerner |
| Directed by | Peter Hewitt |
| Produced by | Jon Cowan |
| Starring | Keira Knightley Del Synnott Stephen Moyer |
| Country |  United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
| Original channel | ABC Granada |
| Release date | 11 March 2001 |
Princess of Thieves is a romantic action-adventure TV movie produced by Walt Disney Productions in 2001 and first broadcast on ABC in the United States that same year. Co-starring in the film are Malcolm McDowell as the Sheriff, Jonathan Hyde as Prince John, Stuart Wilson as Robin Hood, Del Synnott as Froderick, and Stephen Moyer as Philip. The movie was directed by Peter Hewitt and filmed in Romania.
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[edit] Synopsis
Keira Knightley stars in this made-for-TV Disney adventure that puts a spin on an often-told story. The film picks up years after the "known" events of the Robin Hood legend, centering on Robin's daughter, Gwyn, played by Knightley. As Maid Marian has died and Robin Hood (Stuart Wilson) is perpetually away battling in the Crusades, Gwyn has lived much of her life alone. She has grown up to be a strong-willed young woman with a talent for archery, much like her father. Her only friend is the sweet but plain Froderick (Del Synnott), who clearly is in love with her. Upon the death of Richard the Lionhearted, Robin returns to see that the proper man takes Richard's place as king of England. However, Robin is quickly foiled and imprisoned by the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell) and Prince John (Jonathan Hyde).
It is then up to Gwyn to save the day. She must complete Robin's mission to find and protect the young Prince Philip (Stephen Moyer), who has just returned from exile in France to claim the throne — not an easy task since he has decided to forsake his true identity and is traveling anonymously under his valet's name (who died en-route protecting his prince). Though she does fortuitously cross paths with the prince, she is not aware of his identity for much of the film. A romantic spark budding between them, they must find the Merry Men and join forces to free her father from the tortures of the Tower of London before the evil Prince John ascends to the thrown and brings England to ruin.
[edit] Trivia
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2007) |
- Knightley had to learn to shoot a bow for this film; this skill would come in handy again a few years later when she appeared in King Arthur playing another bow-carrying heroine.
- For reasons unexplained, the character of Little John is the only major member of the Merry Men not accounted for in this story.
- Phillip was a real person, but he was an illegitimate son of Richard I. He could not claim the throne, and before his death, Richard had left instructions that John was to inherit the throne even though their nephew, Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, had a better claim. Arthur was the son of their late brother Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany who was the middle brother. Richard recognized that, despite their differences, John truly loved England.[citation needed]
- Richard I reigned for only 10 years (July 6, 1189 to April 6, 1199). Given the ages of the characters, it would be impossible for the Robin Hood / Prince John feud to span two generations with Richard as rightful king. The plot of Princess of Thieves would have to take place years into John's reign.
[edit] Characters
- Keira Knightley - Gwyn, the daughter of Robin of Loxely, aka Robin Hood, and Maid Marian
- Stephen Moyer - Prince Philip, illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart
- Stuart Wilson - Robin of Locksely, a.k.a. Robin Hood
- Del Synnott - Froderick, a young man who has grown up with Gwyn; he is studying to be a churchman
- Malcolm McDowell - Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood's mortal enemy
- Jonathan Hyde - Prince John, Richard the Lionheart's younger brother who attempts to steal the throne of England
- Crispin Letts - Will Scarlett, Robin Hood's loyal friend and companion
[edit] Production credits
- Director - Peter Hewitt
- Executive Producers - Susan B. Landau, Robert Rovner, Jon Cowan, Antony Root
- Art Director - Cristian Niculescu
- Second Unit Director - Mary Soan
- Composer (Music Score) - Rupert Gregson Williams
- Editor - Sue Wyatt
- Producer - Bill Leather
- Production Designer - Chris Roope
- Screenwriter - Robin Lerner
[edit] External links
- Princess of Thieves at the Internet Movie Database
- Princess of Thieves - Robin Hood Spotlight A review of the film and an analysis of historical and legendary background, including a feature on Robin Hood's children
