Most people have strong memories of seeing Gladiator for the first time. The combination of Ridley Scott’s direction and Russell Crowe’s iconic performance as Maximus created one of the greatest historical action movies ever. Since then, Scott has attempted to recreate that success with other large-scale historical films. While Napoleon has some fans, it doesn’t quite reach the level of his Roman masterpiece. In 2010, Scott released Robin Hood, another historical action film that sharply divided viewers and critics. Some disliked it intensely, but a dedicated group of fans believe it’s just as good as Gladiator. Now, Robin Hood is available to stream.
You can now watch Robin Hood on HBO Max. The film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, was added to the streaming service on February 1st. While Robin Hood and Gladiator both feature Russell Crowe as a heroic warrior fighting against a corrupt leader, they are surprisingly different stories – especially considering one takes place in England!
As well as reuniting with Crowe, Ridley Scott assembled an all-star cast for his retelling of Robin Hood. Kate Blanchett played Maid Marian, with Oscar Isaac as Prince John, William Hurt as William Marshal, Kevin Durand as Little John, Matthew Macfadyen as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Mark Strong as Sir Godfrey, among many other notable names. Not that the tale of Robin Hood really needs retelling, but here’s the official synopsis anyway:
Following the death of King Richard, a talented archer named Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) journeys to Nottingham. There, the people are oppressed by a cruel sheriff and unfairly high taxes. He falls for a strong-willed widow, Marion (Cate Blanchett), who is initially wary of his intentions. Determined to earn her trust and help the villagers, Robin assembles a group of fighters to combat the corruption plaguing Nottingham, unaware that they will soon be facing a battle for the future of England.
‘Robin Hood’ Was a Very Divisive Success
Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is a film that often divides audiences. While it’s considered much better than the 2018 adaptation, its gritty and violent take on the classic story wasn’t universally loved. Critics gave it a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and general audiences weren’t much more enthusiastic, giving it a 58% score. Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, earning over $320 million worldwide.
Scott’s film adaptation of Robin Hood received mixed reactions. Some viewers loved its realistic and intense portrayal of the classic story, even comparing it favorably to Gladiator and praising its authentic depiction of the medieval period, complete with drama, romance, and suspense. However, others were less impressed, as one Twitter user noted.
As a huge fan of historical films, I have to say, the more Ridley Scott directs, the more I wonder how he actually pulled off ‘Gladiator’. It feels less repeatable with each new movie – like lightning in a bottle!
‘Robin Hood’s Director’s Cut Is Far Better, Says Russell Crowe
Ridley Scott is known for releasing multiple versions of his films. Long before Zack Snyder became famous for his re-edited Justice League, Scott was regularly putting out Director’s Cuts, Extended Cuts, and various combinations of those for almost all of his movies. His film Robin Hood is no exception – it also has a director’s cut.
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In 2024, Russell Crowe shared on X (formerly Twitter) that his favorite version of Robin Hood is the director’s cut. He explained that while it’s 17 minutes longer than the original, those extra minutes are important, adding clarity, humor, and emotional impact to the film.
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2026-02-03 14:03