Robin Hood: Men In Tights--Hilariously Inaccurate of the Middle Ages

           

Anyone desiring a movie filled with laughs and raunchy humor should turn to the work of Mel Brooks in the film Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993). Complete with musical numbers and tie-ins between the Medieval world and the modern world, this movie presents a new outlook on the tale of Robin Hood. Having a Robin Hood with an actual British accent, although the only one in the film and somewhat of historically accurate scenery and attire, this film brings together modern elements with the Medieval to produce a humorous film guaranteed to make anyone laugh. Robin Hood: Men In Tights is a humorous film filled with fight scenes and romance set in the Middle Ages; however, the film’s historical accuracy is lowered by the use of modern references. 

            The tale of Robin Hood has been told for years from Hollywood portrayals by Kevin Costner to a fox in the Disney animated version. Cary Elwes takes the character of Robin Hood to a new level with an actual British accent, raunchy humor, a go-with-the-flow attitude, and of course a love of archery.  As with any Robin Hood tale the central historical message of the film is justice. Robin returns from the Crusades to find his home in England filled with injustice done by Prince John and the Sheriff of Rottingham. Vowing to save the poor from the injustice and tyranny at the hands of Prince John, Robin sets out to recruit men to reclaim the land and along the way falls in love with Maid Marianne.

            In terms of being entirely historically accurate this film is far from it. Many modern tie-ins, such as tennis shoes, a Medieval Playboy magazine, automatic gate-clickers, neon exit signs, a jackhammer, photographs, automatic fires, clapper lights, and references to Jersey, Mark Twain, and the Mississippi River, are used throughout the movie to enhance the humor. While not historically accurate in any way, these modern touches are common throughout most of Mel Brooks’ films and are only added to increase the laughter of those in the audience. 

            Although the film is filled with modern tie-ins that lower the historical accuracy aspect of the film, certain weaponry, set designs, and costumes can be considered historically accurate. The opening scene of the film shows the use of longbows, which were in fact used by the English during the Middle Ages and catapults are also mentioned as being the “latest craze.” Stone castles are used, some implementing the curved tower design other the square-cornered look. Stained glass windows are implemented along with tapestries, cauldrons, Medieval bathtubs, and Medieval toilets. Standards are seen on the castles depicting the family’s crest that elevate the idea of the scene having occurred in the Middle Ages. Swords, daggers, spears, and lances are all used as well to further enhance the look of the Middle Ages. One weapon of particular interest is the gun-like mini-crossbow used by a hit man to try and kill Robin. Mel Brooks has balanced the use of medieval weaponry with some modern technology to enrich the comedy throughout the movie.

            Clothing is arguably one of the most historically accurate points of the film. Male characters are shown wearing tunics, armor or chainmail and helmets depending on their character’s particular status. The royalty of the film, Prince John and King Richard, are shown wearing red and gold complete with golden crowns. Women are shown in floor-length dresses with excess amounts of fabric and peasants are often shown wearing the colors of brown, black, and green. One element of clothing used is a chastity belt worn by Maid Marianne. Were these in fact common in the Middle Ages or has the chastity belt simply become a creation of the Hollywood film industry? The clothing is the main source of the some-what accurate portrayals of Medieval times. Clothing and the accessories along with it present a well-rounded idea of the way in which people may have dressed in the Middle Ages.

            Overall Robin Hood: Men In Tights is not a historically accurate film. Although it is filled with raunchy humor and hilarious one-liners, the overuse of modern tie-ins has lowered the chances of the film being considered “good history.” While the film cannot be considered “good history” it must be remembered that the goal of Mel Brooks’ work is to be funny and loosely based on history. In this sense the film is successful, as Brooks has created a film overflowing with humor that is loosely based on the historical legend of Robin Hood. After all is said and done, Robin Hood: Men In Tights is a hilarious movie guaranteed to make one laugh but is not an accurate portrayal of Medieval history.  

Works Cited

Robin Hood: Men In Tights. Directed by Mel Brooks. Released in 1993. 20^th Century Fox            Productions, 1993. DVD, 104 minutes.