ROBIN AND MARION

The premise of Robin And Marion is an interesting one. After spending years fighting in the crusades in the service of King Richard, an aged Robin returns to England and to Sherwood, there to be reunited with Marion. The fact that the film handles the subject with such poignancy and tender romanticism makes it an unexpected delight - heightened by sublime performances from the picture's stars.

Sean Connery plays Robin with empathy and compassion, capturing the character's conflict between his need to fight for the oppressed and his contrary desire to live in peace with Marion. Conveying the outlaw's frustration and bewilderment at the fact his body can no longer cope with leaping from castle battlements and length swordfights, Connery is a joy to watch, constantly captivating with expressive facial expressions and mannerisms. The divine Audrey Hepburn excels too as Marion - now abbess of nunnery - again a character with conflicting drives and emotions. Unable to resist her love for Robin, she abandons her religious life to spend her days with him in the forest. Terribly afraid that his exploits will result in disaster, her attempts to keep Robin from harm become increasingly desperate and heartrending. "I love you more than I love God", she tells Robin at one point and this tragically romantic tale hinges around that fact - that Robin and Marion are fated to be together no matter what happens. With sad eyes and knowing expressions, Marion is by far the stronger of the two and yet is still unable to avoid the inevitable conclusion, making Robin And Marion a beautifully bittersweet tale of mature love and mortality.

Supporting roles are also excellent, including delightful performances from Denholm Elliot and Ronnie Barker as Will Scarlet and Tuck, and a world-weary Robert Shaw superb as the sheriff of Nottingham. It is the two eponymous characters that make the film however, and their masterful performances together with a tender screenplay and understated direction make Robin And Marion a masterpiece, putting an unequivocal and achingly romantic full stop to the Robin Hood legend. Watch this film straight after the Errol Flynn version of the tale and I defy you not to shed a tear or two.

Not very merry, but moving in the extreme. 8/10