Post by Dennis of Ravenscar on Feb 15, 2023 19:22:08 GMT
A Review by Kathy Lye (nee Davey)
i.imgur.com/NHT0bAi.jpg
Plot
It's a bit difficult to tell the plot of a spoof, but I'll do my best and give you the basic stuff. You'll have to watch it to get all the jokes.
The titles open with lots of flaming arrows and stirring music. Unfortunately they burn down the village in the process and Ye Olde Fire Brigade are called in.
The rapping narrators in tights fill us in on the situation. The country is in a mess and needs a manly hero. However, Robin is in jail in the Holy Land. Cut to Holy Land.
Our first glimpse of the hero of the piece. He sports an Errol Flynn beard and moustache and immediately assumes the 'I'm a swashbuckling hero' pose. Come on, you must know it; legs apart, hands on hips, chest thrust out and head held high. Anyway, the charming Maitre D' of the dungeon shows him to his cell once he has donned the appropriate attire; a ridiculous false beard. There is a brief and rather silly torture scene before Robin is chained up next to a Moor called Asneeze. They get rid of the guard by telling him that Robin will betray the King. Everyone in the cell (beards and all) follows them as they escape. The guard comes back and he's 'in deep shift'.
i.imgur.com/Df2sv3i.jpg
On an anonymous beach complete with racing camels and palm trees, Asneeze says goodbye to Robin and asks him to look after his son, Ahchoo, who is an exchange student in England. Robin makes a quick heroic speech in heroic pose then swims bravely out to sea. We see his route through the Med on a map, then HE'S HOME! I won't ruin the joke for you, you'll have to find out for yourselves. As he rides along, he spots Ahchoo being beaten up by some soldiers ('Man, I hope someone's got a video camera on this'). Obviously, he helps out (much silliness) and, as featured on the posters, the multiple arrow gag follows. Off to Loxley the pair ride, only to discover the castle being repossessed because of family debts. Away it is towed, leaving only the foundations and a blind servant called Blinkin on the toilet. Robin is told that his entire family is dead, including his cat which choked to death eating his goldfish. His father left him a locket containing a key to the greatest riches in the land. As the trio make to leave, a Young Lad runs screaming towards them, chased by the Sheriff of Rottingham and his singing soldiers (you had to be there). Rottingham is a complete rip-off of Alan Rickman and he is BRILLIANT. Robin gets rid of them with typical Mel Brooks daftness. The Young Lad leaves to tell all he sees that there is a hero to lead them at last.
Cut to Marian singing in the bath about a man to love her. We meet Broomhilde (her fat German lady-in-waiting) and learn about Marian's chastity belt. She wishes for a man who has the key to her... heart.
i.imgur.com/VRZ54wX.jpg
Rottingham tells Prince John about Robin. John is not happy and decides to talk to Latrine, the old woman who protects his destiny. She says she'll help him if he puts in a good word for her with Rottingham. He agrees.
Back in Sherwood, our heroic trio meet up with Little John who refuses to let them over a tiny bridge unless they pay a toll. On principal, Robin fights him and is victorious. You may have guessed already that the fight is silly. Take it as read that all the fight scenes are daft; it saves me telling you every time. We meet Will Scarlett O'Hara and witness his awesome skill with a dagger (ooh-er). Robin announces that he plans to crash Prince John's party at the castle and the Merry Men want to go with him. He refuses to risk their lives and goes alone. Does this sound familiar?
At the castle, Marian joins the party and Rottingham drools over her, trying to chat her up. Like Olivia de Havilland before her, she is not impressed. Robin bursts through the doors with a wild pig slung over his shoulders, strides to the Prince's table and insults the noble company, charming Marian in the process. Does this sound familiar to any Errol fans out there? Robin announces that he will lead a revolt against the usurper, Prince John (see Quotes section). Rottingham sets his guards on Robin who bravely takes them all on. Lucky for him that his gang turn up before it gets too hot. In the midst of the slapstick, Robin and Marian meet under a table and, guess what? It's love at first sight. After a great sequence in which all the armoured guards surrounding the hall go down like dominoes, the Merry Men escape from the castle, leaving humiliation behind them.
i.imgur.com/SsDWVRa.png
In Sherwood, the villagers have gathered to hear Robin's stirring speech. Cue Winston Churchill impression, silly visual gags and a Malcolm X moment. Even with their matching uniforms (hats with big feathers, green tunics, white shirts with puffy sleeves and the ever-present tights), the villagers fail miserably in training. They are even beaten by the dummies at jousting.
There is a quick and pointless diversion while Rottingham shows Prince John their new 'stealth catapult'. It's only there to get a laugh.
The Merry Men meet Rabbi Tuckman in the forest. He tries to persuade them all to have circumcisions done with his miniature guillotine. They all refuse (understandably) but he agrees to join them anyway.
Back at the castle, the Godfather scene takes place. Rottingham, Don Giovanni and his two associates, Dirty Ezio and Filthy Luca (ha,ha) plan to kill Robin by setting a trap. They will hold an archery contest to tempt him out of the forest, then Dirty Ezio, looking surprisingly like Clint Eastwood, will shoot him with a rather nifty little hand-held crossbow. Add evil laughter here. Marian overhears their plotting and rushes off with Broomhilde to warn her love.
OK, now another one of those pointless but quite amusing bits. Blinkin is on watch(?). I'm not going to describe it, but I think it's funny.
i.imgur.com/cykN16e.jpg
The Merry Men then entertain us with the title song, 'Men In Tights'. This is funny. Marian arrives and warns Robin who decides to go anyway. Now for the love song. Even this film does not get much sillier than this. Visual gags abound. Robin then makes a rather painful discovery of Marian's metal chastity belt whose key will be in the possession of her one true love. Their kiss is interrupted by Broomhilde, just like Dot Matrix in Spaceballs (hey, I'm a Mel Brooks fan; humour me.). Marian leaves.
The Spring Fair and the Archery Contest are upon us. The Merry Men are now rather unconvincingly dressed as women and Robin is wearing a disguise not unlike Michael's in RoS. Dirty Ezio lies in wait in his vantage point in the tower. Filthy Luca splits Robin's arrow, but all is not lost, for after a quick check of the script, Robin gets another shot. Blinkin, using his incredible hearing, catches Ezio's arrow in mid-flight. Using his 'Patriot' arrow, Robin blows away the opposition; literally. The guards arrest Robin and are about to take him to be hanged when Marian offers to marry Rottingham if Robin is not killed. Of course, the Sheriff agrees. The Merry Men 'fox' the villagers for help. Yes, they tie a message to a fox and send it off to find them.
Enter the Hangman from Blazing Saddles who is there to make sure that Marian goes through with it, keeping a noose around Robin's neck. Ahchoo arrives just in time, shooting through the rope. Marian refuses Mervyn of Rottingham (snigger) and the fight begins just as the villagers arrive. Rottingham grabs Marian and drags her away to the tower, chased by her own true love (that's Robin, by the way). Robin bursts in and there is a great sword fight. That's the RSC training, that is. There's a brief imitation of the shadow bit in The Adventures of Robin Hood. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Robin's locket is broken by Mervyn and the key flies out, landing neatly in the lock on Marian's chastity belt. IT FITS! Rottingham gets a sword through him and staggers around a bit, collapsing as Latrine arrives. She claims she has a magic pill that will save him if he agrees to marry her. The pill works and Latrine drags Rottingham away to a fate worse than death.
i.imgur.com/3JUDb5H.jpg
Robin and Marian are foiled once again by Broomhilde who makes them get married before the chastity belt can go. The ceremony is interrupted by the arrival of (guess who!) ...King Richard, back from the Crusades. He restores Robin's lands and dubs him a knight with control of the Sherwood lands. He then claims his 'royal right' to kiss the bride and proceeds to snog her stupid. And don't I hate her for it! Robin appoints Ahchoo as the new Sheriff. The loving couple ride away as happy as Larry. The rappers come back to round it off, but WAIT! There's another little bit in the titles. The key doesn't fit and a locksmith is called. OK, now you can stop the video.
Review
I seem to be among the few who like this film. Please tell me I am not alone. It is not exactly one of Mel Brooks' best, but if you recognise what they are taking the piss out of, it is very funny. There is a lot of humour which misses the mark, that I have to admit, but when they get it right, it is great. The premise is simple; just take the two most famous Robin Hood films, one corny and cliched, the other modern, American and cliched, put them together and what have you got? A great opportunity for silliness, anarchy and ruthless parody.
Cary Elwes was quite obviously cast on the merits of his performance in The Princess Bride (another great film). He has shifted it up a gear since then and more than matches Errol Flynn's corny swashbuckling heroics. He's man enough to lead a revolution and lead it in tights. His performance is entirely self-conscious, as is the rest of the film. Cary is in it for a laugh and buckles his swash with style.
Roger Rees is shamelessly stealing everything that the sainted Alan Rickman did before him; he even has the beard! The Sheriff is a great part with his signature muddled sentences and his mock-evil demeanour, and Roger is quite obviously loving every minute of it. His nasty laugh rivals even Basil Rathbone's. What a guy!
Amy Yasbeck has equal opportunity to lay on the corn and she revels in it. Her performance is far more subtle than some of the others', slightly reminiscent of Madeline Kahn's in Blazing Saddles; subtle yet over-the-top and most definitely eye-catching. Her English accent is good but entirely OTT. She quivers, she bats her eyelids, she squeals and she looks beautiful. A perfect spoof Marian. Both Cary and Amy do a great job of keeping straight faces while the chaos ensues around them. Self-assuredness shines from both of them.
Unfortunately , the same praise cannot be given to Tracey Ullman as Latrine. I can see that the witch needed parodying but she just isn't funny. Personally, I think it is the acting that is the problem, but others have told me that they think it was a mistake on Mel's part. She serves no purpose but cheap laughs, but then that's what the entire film is, so why is it only her part that doesn't work? I have my suspicions, but I can't say for sure.
OK, prepare yourselves; I'm about to gush, luvvies! I love Patrick Stewart and his too brief cameo is amazing. He plays Sean Connery playing King Richard and what a star he is. He oozes sex appeal, royal poise and good humour. His timing is perfect and his little wink sends shivers down my spine. Have you guessed yet? Pat is on my list of incredibly talented sex-gods. Yes, I know he's bald, but you know what they say. Humour me; I'm a Trekkie.
Mel Brooks himself has made a good living out of being Jewish and yet again turns in his stereotypical 'Jew among the gentiles' performance. You have to forgive him because he's so good at it.
Richard Lewis equals any of the cast with his unashamedly American interpretation of the vain wide boy, Prince John. He and Roger Rees are a great double act. The supporting cast is full of Mel's stock characters, obvious to fans and funny to newcomers.
This film is worth watching if you don't know much about Robin Hood on cellulite (or is that celluloid?) but if you do know about the legend in Hollywood, it's even better. There are references to the films, to other films and to anything else they can get their hands on. This is one of those films that you can tell was a good laugh to make. Just remember to keep your eyes peeled for the more subtle visual gags like the green 'Exit' sign over one of the doors in the castle. It's chaotic, anarchic and it's fun.
Great Lines (edited highlights)
Villager: "Every time there's a Robin Hood movie, they burn our village down."
Asneeze: "He is headstrong and cocksure. Or is it the other way around?"
Little John: "Let's face it, you've got to be a man to wear tights."
Robin Hood: "Welcome home, Mrs of Loxley."
Prince John: "And why should the people listen to you?"
Robin Hood: "Because unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent."
Will: "Blinkin, fix your boobs. You look like a bleedin' Picasso."
Rottingham: "King illegal forest to pig wild kill in it a is!"
Cast: "A BLACK SHERIFF?!"
Ahchoo: "And why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles."
Comments
As all the publicity said, "The Legend Had It Coming". It's about time Robin's swashbuckling adventures were given the spoof treatment. Fortunately, Mel Brooks has a healthy respect for what he is parodying. Just like Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs and Young Frankenstein, Men in Tights is a good natured piss-take and it is obvious that Mel has great affection for his subject matter. Even die-hard Robin Hood fans could not be offended by his handling.
What is it with torturing Cary Elwes? First The Princess Bride and now this. Poor guy.
I think the creators of First Knight stole the idea of the hand-held crossbows from this film. They look remarkably similar.
Cast
Robin Hood.....Cary Elwes
Prince John....Richard Lewis
The Sheriff of Rottingham....Roger Rees
Maid Marian....Amy Yasbeck
Blinkin....Mark Blankfield
Ahchoo....Dave Chappelle
Asneeze....Isaac Hayes
Broomhilde....Megan Cavanagh
Little John....Eric Allan Kramer
Will Scarlett O'Hara....Matthew Poretta
Latrine....Tracey Ullman
King Richard....Saint Patrick Stewart
Don Giovanni....Dom DeLuise
Abbot....Dick Van Patten
The Hangman....Robert Ridgely
Rabbi Tuckman....Mel Brooks
Filthy Luca....Steve Tancora
Dirty Ezio....Joe Dimmick
Dungeon Maitre D'.....Brian George
Head Saracen Guard....Zitto Kazann
Assistant Saracen Guard....Richard Assad
Royal Announcer....Clement Von Franckenstein (yes, really)
Young Lad....Corbin Allred
Art Director....Roy Forge Smith
Music....Hummie Mann
Editor....Stephen Rivkin
Photography....Michael O'Shea
Screenplay....Mel Brooks
J. David Shapiro
Evan Chandler
Producer....Mel Brooks
Director....Mel Brooks
i.imgur.com/NHT0bAi.jpg
Plot
It's a bit difficult to tell the plot of a spoof, but I'll do my best and give you the basic stuff. You'll have to watch it to get all the jokes.
The titles open with lots of flaming arrows and stirring music. Unfortunately they burn down the village in the process and Ye Olde Fire Brigade are called in.
The rapping narrators in tights fill us in on the situation. The country is in a mess and needs a manly hero. However, Robin is in jail in the Holy Land. Cut to Holy Land.
Our first glimpse of the hero of the piece. He sports an Errol Flynn beard and moustache and immediately assumes the 'I'm a swashbuckling hero' pose. Come on, you must know it; legs apart, hands on hips, chest thrust out and head held high. Anyway, the charming Maitre D' of the dungeon shows him to his cell once he has donned the appropriate attire; a ridiculous false beard. There is a brief and rather silly torture scene before Robin is chained up next to a Moor called Asneeze. They get rid of the guard by telling him that Robin will betray the King. Everyone in the cell (beards and all) follows them as they escape. The guard comes back and he's 'in deep shift'.
i.imgur.com/Df2sv3i.jpg
On an anonymous beach complete with racing camels and palm trees, Asneeze says goodbye to Robin and asks him to look after his son, Ahchoo, who is an exchange student in England. Robin makes a quick heroic speech in heroic pose then swims bravely out to sea. We see his route through the Med on a map, then HE'S HOME! I won't ruin the joke for you, you'll have to find out for yourselves. As he rides along, he spots Ahchoo being beaten up by some soldiers ('Man, I hope someone's got a video camera on this'). Obviously, he helps out (much silliness) and, as featured on the posters, the multiple arrow gag follows. Off to Loxley the pair ride, only to discover the castle being repossessed because of family debts. Away it is towed, leaving only the foundations and a blind servant called Blinkin on the toilet. Robin is told that his entire family is dead, including his cat which choked to death eating his goldfish. His father left him a locket containing a key to the greatest riches in the land. As the trio make to leave, a Young Lad runs screaming towards them, chased by the Sheriff of Rottingham and his singing soldiers (you had to be there). Rottingham is a complete rip-off of Alan Rickman and he is BRILLIANT. Robin gets rid of them with typical Mel Brooks daftness. The Young Lad leaves to tell all he sees that there is a hero to lead them at last.
Cut to Marian singing in the bath about a man to love her. We meet Broomhilde (her fat German lady-in-waiting) and learn about Marian's chastity belt. She wishes for a man who has the key to her... heart.
i.imgur.com/VRZ54wX.jpg
Rottingham tells Prince John about Robin. John is not happy and decides to talk to Latrine, the old woman who protects his destiny. She says she'll help him if he puts in a good word for her with Rottingham. He agrees.
Back in Sherwood, our heroic trio meet up with Little John who refuses to let them over a tiny bridge unless they pay a toll. On principal, Robin fights him and is victorious. You may have guessed already that the fight is silly. Take it as read that all the fight scenes are daft; it saves me telling you every time. We meet Will Scarlett O'Hara and witness his awesome skill with a dagger (ooh-er). Robin announces that he plans to crash Prince John's party at the castle and the Merry Men want to go with him. He refuses to risk their lives and goes alone. Does this sound familiar?
At the castle, Marian joins the party and Rottingham drools over her, trying to chat her up. Like Olivia de Havilland before her, she is not impressed. Robin bursts through the doors with a wild pig slung over his shoulders, strides to the Prince's table and insults the noble company, charming Marian in the process. Does this sound familiar to any Errol fans out there? Robin announces that he will lead a revolt against the usurper, Prince John (see Quotes section). Rottingham sets his guards on Robin who bravely takes them all on. Lucky for him that his gang turn up before it gets too hot. In the midst of the slapstick, Robin and Marian meet under a table and, guess what? It's love at first sight. After a great sequence in which all the armoured guards surrounding the hall go down like dominoes, the Merry Men escape from the castle, leaving humiliation behind them.
i.imgur.com/SsDWVRa.png
In Sherwood, the villagers have gathered to hear Robin's stirring speech. Cue Winston Churchill impression, silly visual gags and a Malcolm X moment. Even with their matching uniforms (hats with big feathers, green tunics, white shirts with puffy sleeves and the ever-present tights), the villagers fail miserably in training. They are even beaten by the dummies at jousting.
There is a quick and pointless diversion while Rottingham shows Prince John their new 'stealth catapult'. It's only there to get a laugh.
The Merry Men meet Rabbi Tuckman in the forest. He tries to persuade them all to have circumcisions done with his miniature guillotine. They all refuse (understandably) but he agrees to join them anyway.
Back at the castle, the Godfather scene takes place. Rottingham, Don Giovanni and his two associates, Dirty Ezio and Filthy Luca (ha,ha) plan to kill Robin by setting a trap. They will hold an archery contest to tempt him out of the forest, then Dirty Ezio, looking surprisingly like Clint Eastwood, will shoot him with a rather nifty little hand-held crossbow. Add evil laughter here. Marian overhears their plotting and rushes off with Broomhilde to warn her love.
OK, now another one of those pointless but quite amusing bits. Blinkin is on watch(?). I'm not going to describe it, but I think it's funny.
i.imgur.com/cykN16e.jpg
The Merry Men then entertain us with the title song, 'Men In Tights'. This is funny. Marian arrives and warns Robin who decides to go anyway. Now for the love song. Even this film does not get much sillier than this. Visual gags abound. Robin then makes a rather painful discovery of Marian's metal chastity belt whose key will be in the possession of her one true love. Their kiss is interrupted by Broomhilde, just like Dot Matrix in Spaceballs (hey, I'm a Mel Brooks fan; humour me.). Marian leaves.
The Spring Fair and the Archery Contest are upon us. The Merry Men are now rather unconvincingly dressed as women and Robin is wearing a disguise not unlike Michael's in RoS. Dirty Ezio lies in wait in his vantage point in the tower. Filthy Luca splits Robin's arrow, but all is not lost, for after a quick check of the script, Robin gets another shot. Blinkin, using his incredible hearing, catches Ezio's arrow in mid-flight. Using his 'Patriot' arrow, Robin blows away the opposition; literally. The guards arrest Robin and are about to take him to be hanged when Marian offers to marry Rottingham if Robin is not killed. Of course, the Sheriff agrees. The Merry Men 'fox' the villagers for help. Yes, they tie a message to a fox and send it off to find them.
Enter the Hangman from Blazing Saddles who is there to make sure that Marian goes through with it, keeping a noose around Robin's neck. Ahchoo arrives just in time, shooting through the rope. Marian refuses Mervyn of Rottingham (snigger) and the fight begins just as the villagers arrive. Rottingham grabs Marian and drags her away to the tower, chased by her own true love (that's Robin, by the way). Robin bursts in and there is a great sword fight. That's the RSC training, that is. There's a brief imitation of the shadow bit in The Adventures of Robin Hood. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Robin's locket is broken by Mervyn and the key flies out, landing neatly in the lock on Marian's chastity belt. IT FITS! Rottingham gets a sword through him and staggers around a bit, collapsing as Latrine arrives. She claims she has a magic pill that will save him if he agrees to marry her. The pill works and Latrine drags Rottingham away to a fate worse than death.
i.imgur.com/3JUDb5H.jpg
Robin and Marian are foiled once again by Broomhilde who makes them get married before the chastity belt can go. The ceremony is interrupted by the arrival of (guess who!) ...King Richard, back from the Crusades. He restores Robin's lands and dubs him a knight with control of the Sherwood lands. He then claims his 'royal right' to kiss the bride and proceeds to snog her stupid. And don't I hate her for it! Robin appoints Ahchoo as the new Sheriff. The loving couple ride away as happy as Larry. The rappers come back to round it off, but WAIT! There's another little bit in the titles. The key doesn't fit and a locksmith is called. OK, now you can stop the video.
Review
I seem to be among the few who like this film. Please tell me I am not alone. It is not exactly one of Mel Brooks' best, but if you recognise what they are taking the piss out of, it is very funny. There is a lot of humour which misses the mark, that I have to admit, but when they get it right, it is great. The premise is simple; just take the two most famous Robin Hood films, one corny and cliched, the other modern, American and cliched, put them together and what have you got? A great opportunity for silliness, anarchy and ruthless parody.
Cary Elwes was quite obviously cast on the merits of his performance in The Princess Bride (another great film). He has shifted it up a gear since then and more than matches Errol Flynn's corny swashbuckling heroics. He's man enough to lead a revolution and lead it in tights. His performance is entirely self-conscious, as is the rest of the film. Cary is in it for a laugh and buckles his swash with style.
Roger Rees is shamelessly stealing everything that the sainted Alan Rickman did before him; he even has the beard! The Sheriff is a great part with his signature muddled sentences and his mock-evil demeanour, and Roger is quite obviously loving every minute of it. His nasty laugh rivals even Basil Rathbone's. What a guy!
Amy Yasbeck has equal opportunity to lay on the corn and she revels in it. Her performance is far more subtle than some of the others', slightly reminiscent of Madeline Kahn's in Blazing Saddles; subtle yet over-the-top and most definitely eye-catching. Her English accent is good but entirely OTT. She quivers, she bats her eyelids, she squeals and she looks beautiful. A perfect spoof Marian. Both Cary and Amy do a great job of keeping straight faces while the chaos ensues around them. Self-assuredness shines from both of them.
Unfortunately , the same praise cannot be given to Tracey Ullman as Latrine. I can see that the witch needed parodying but she just isn't funny. Personally, I think it is the acting that is the problem, but others have told me that they think it was a mistake on Mel's part. She serves no purpose but cheap laughs, but then that's what the entire film is, so why is it only her part that doesn't work? I have my suspicions, but I can't say for sure.
OK, prepare yourselves; I'm about to gush, luvvies! I love Patrick Stewart and his too brief cameo is amazing. He plays Sean Connery playing King Richard and what a star he is. He oozes sex appeal, royal poise and good humour. His timing is perfect and his little wink sends shivers down my spine. Have you guessed yet? Pat is on my list of incredibly talented sex-gods. Yes, I know he's bald, but you know what they say. Humour me; I'm a Trekkie.
Mel Brooks himself has made a good living out of being Jewish and yet again turns in his stereotypical 'Jew among the gentiles' performance. You have to forgive him because he's so good at it.
Richard Lewis equals any of the cast with his unashamedly American interpretation of the vain wide boy, Prince John. He and Roger Rees are a great double act. The supporting cast is full of Mel's stock characters, obvious to fans and funny to newcomers.
This film is worth watching if you don't know much about Robin Hood on cellulite (or is that celluloid?) but if you do know about the legend in Hollywood, it's even better. There are references to the films, to other films and to anything else they can get their hands on. This is one of those films that you can tell was a good laugh to make. Just remember to keep your eyes peeled for the more subtle visual gags like the green 'Exit' sign over one of the doors in the castle. It's chaotic, anarchic and it's fun.
Great Lines (edited highlights)
Villager: "Every time there's a Robin Hood movie, they burn our village down."
Asneeze: "He is headstrong and cocksure. Or is it the other way around?"
Little John: "Let's face it, you've got to be a man to wear tights."
Robin Hood: "Welcome home, Mrs of Loxley."
Prince John: "And why should the people listen to you?"
Robin Hood: "Because unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent."
Will: "Blinkin, fix your boobs. You look like a bleedin' Picasso."
Rottingham: "King illegal forest to pig wild kill in it a is!"
Cast: "A BLACK SHERIFF?!"
Ahchoo: "And why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles."
Comments
As all the publicity said, "The Legend Had It Coming". It's about time Robin's swashbuckling adventures were given the spoof treatment. Fortunately, Mel Brooks has a healthy respect for what he is parodying. Just like Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs and Young Frankenstein, Men in Tights is a good natured piss-take and it is obvious that Mel has great affection for his subject matter. Even die-hard Robin Hood fans could not be offended by his handling.
What is it with torturing Cary Elwes? First The Princess Bride and now this. Poor guy.
I think the creators of First Knight stole the idea of the hand-held crossbows from this film. They look remarkably similar.
Cast
Robin Hood.....Cary Elwes
Prince John....Richard Lewis
The Sheriff of Rottingham....Roger Rees
Maid Marian....Amy Yasbeck
Blinkin....Mark Blankfield
Ahchoo....Dave Chappelle
Asneeze....Isaac Hayes
Broomhilde....Megan Cavanagh
Little John....Eric Allan Kramer
Will Scarlett O'Hara....Matthew Poretta
Latrine....Tracey Ullman
King Richard....Saint Patrick Stewart
Don Giovanni....Dom DeLuise
Abbot....Dick Van Patten
The Hangman....Robert Ridgely
Rabbi Tuckman....Mel Brooks
Filthy Luca....Steve Tancora
Dirty Ezio....Joe Dimmick
Dungeon Maitre D'.....Brian George
Head Saracen Guard....Zitto Kazann
Assistant Saracen Guard....Richard Assad
Royal Announcer....Clement Von Franckenstein (yes, really)
Young Lad....Corbin Allred
Art Director....Roy Forge Smith
Music....Hummie Mann
Editor....Stephen Rivkin
Photography....Michael O'Shea
Screenplay....Mel Brooks
J. David Shapiro
Evan Chandler
Producer....Mel Brooks
Director....Mel Brooks