Mel Brooks directed and co-wrote this satiric comedy which lampoons a number of cinematic treatments of the legend of Sherwood Forest, including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and
The Adventures of Robin Hood. Robin Hood (
Cary Elwes) comes home after fighting in the Crusades to learn that the noble King Richard (
Patrick Stewart) is in exile and that the despotic King John (
Richard Lewis) now rules England, with the help of the Sheriff of Rottingham (
Roger Rees). Robin Hood assembles a band of fellow patriots to do battle with John and the Sheriff, including Asneeze (
Isaac Hayes) and his son Ahchoo (
Dave Chappelle), the blind watchman Blinkin (
Mark Blankfield), Will Scarlet O'Hara (Matthew Porretta), and Rabbi Tuckman (Brooks). The Sheriff is eager to put Robin Hood out of business with the aid of criminal mastermind Don Giovanni (
Dom DeLuise), but Robin soon has an ally in the royal palace when he falls for the lovely Maid Marian (
Amy Yasbeck), whose minder Broomhilde (Megan Cavanagh) has uncooperatively outfitted Marian with a chastity belt. The cast also includes Tracy Ullman,
Robert Ridgely, and
Clive Revill. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide