Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
1991 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Van Lathan
Aired November 7, 2023
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Law Abiding Citizen
The Sting
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 4
- Movies in this archive
- 5
Rewatchables episodes featuring Sean Connery’s films
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey
Aired June 20, 2023
Displaying all 4 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Sarah deserved to die; Gerard Butler should have been James Bond instead of Daniel Craig
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:33Read transcript
- One participant did not prepare a take because he did not know he would be in that chair. — Bill Simmons
- Take: Sarah deserved to die; the hosts joke she was headed for a relationship with Nick.
- Hottest take: Gerard Butler should have been James Bond instead of Daniel Craig 20 years ago, at a similar career point, in Casino Royale or Skyfall.
- The take is called entertaining 'total bullshit' and a 'dazzling putrid take' given Craig's success; without Bond, Butler might not have made Den of Thieves, and Daniel Craig could have been in this film.
- Objections: Butler's brand is brutality while Bond needs suaveness, and his Scottish delivery; he does fit the Sean Connery man's-man Bond, but the objector concludes it is terrible. — Van Lathan
Half-Assed Internet Research
Robert Shaw’s post-production pub crawl, Sean Connery rivalry, source-book dispute, awards record, and profitability
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:13Read transcript
- George Roy Hill and Robert Shaw reportedly celebrated filming with a week-long Irish pub crawl ending with Shaw playing ping-pong in his underwear.
- Shaw reportedly regarded Sean Connery as a professional rival. — Bill Simmons
- The screenplay was associated with The Big Con; its author sued and the production settled while denying plagiarism. — Bill Simmons
- The film won seven of ten Oscar nominations. — Sean Fennessey
- The film’s budget and enormous box-office return are reported. — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Laurence Fishburne; Brandon Lee; uncertain Sean Connery story; McTiernan’s Batman offer
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:29Read transcript
- Fishburne reportedly had a verbal agreement for the role, but compensation negotiations stalled and Andrew Vajna chose Jackson after seeing Pulp Fiction at Cannes. — Bill Simmons
- Fishburne reportedly received $750,000 after suing, and the producers also had to option a script he wrote. — Bill Simmons
- Simon Says was reportedly intended for Brandon Lee before his death. — Bill Simmons
- Connery was reportedly first choice for Simon, though the research is not treated as certain; his villain credibility, German accent and physical fit are doubted.
- McTiernan reportedly declined Batman Forever to make this film. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:20Read transcript
- Gene Hackman reportedly partnered to adapt the novel and considered directing and playing Lecter or Crawford before withdrawing. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Verhoeven reportedly turned the film down and later expressed regret. — Bill Simmons
- Jonathan Demme reportedly wanted Sean Connery for Lecter, but Connery declined. — Bill Simmons
- Michelle Pfeiffer declined Clarice; the panel prefers Foster because Pfeiffer’s overt glamour would shift the character’s closed, professional center. — Bill Simmons
- Meg Ryan reportedly rejected the material as too gruesome, and Molly Ringwald auditioned but was considered too young. — Bill Simmons
- Ed Harris reportedly declined Jack Crawford because the role was not interesting enough. — Bill Simmons
- Reported Lecter possibilities include Daniel Day-Lewis, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Derek Jacobi, and Forest Whitaker; the panel openly doubts some unsourced casting lists while noting Whitaker publicly discussed auditioning. — Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:43Read transcript
- Dawson is the clear internal choice for one Oscar. — Bill Simmons
- Sean Connery, Albert Brooks, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and Vincent Gardenia make the real supporting field too competitive. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:40Read transcript
- Connery becomes the agreed heat-check winner over the witch; the extended cut's revelation that the witch is the sheriff's mother is discussed after a verbal relationship correction.
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:03Read transcript
- Mel Gibson reportedly declined Robin after Hamlet. — Bill Simmons
- Robin Wright reportedly withdrew from Marian because of pregnancy and was replaced by Mastrantonio. — Bill Simmons
- Nicole Kidman is a reported Marian possibility. — Chris Ryan
- Patsy Kensit is a reported Marian possibility. — Chris Ryan
- Elizabeth Hurley is a reported Marian possibility.
- Richard E. Grant reportedly could not play the sheriff because of Hudson Hawk. — Bill Simmons
- The claim that Cary Elwes declined Robin is explicitly doubted. — Bill Simmons
- The claim that Johnny Depp declined Will Scarlet is explicitly doubted, though he is imagined as a better choice. — Bill Simmons
- John Cleese was reportedly proposed as King Richard before Costner pushed for Connery, whose fee was described as reduced to a charitable donation. — Bill Simmons
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
Kevin Costner; Will Scarlet (late alternative)
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:35Read transcript
- Costner is the weak link, particularly the accent, made more obvious by Connery's arrival; his other difficult accents are compared. — Bill Simmons
- Will withholding the brother revelation while undermining the group is criticized as contrived and obstructive; he is proposed as another weak link.
Most Rewatchable Scene
Hanging rescue; Little John staff fight
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:43Read transcript
- The opening escape is nominated for its energy, extravagant hair and immediately inconsistent accents.
- Robin saving a child is an early scene candidate. — Bill Simmons
- The staff fight that wins over Little John is a favorite scene. — Bill Simmons
- Robin's arrow near Will's hand and motivational speech are nominated partly for the shifting accents. — Bill Simmons
- The sheriff's cancel-Christmas outburst is nominated for Rickman's extravagant comic delivery.
- The final rescue, wedding disruption and sword fight are strongly favored as an exciting final stretch, contrasted with a slower first two-thirds. — Bill Simmons
- The battle-planning model is praised for making the eventual action geography understandable. — Chris Ryan
- The attack on the forest village is nominated, including the reversal when fire arrives after an apparent victory.
- Marian watching Robin bathe is another scene candidate, emphasizing her attraction. — Van Lathan
- Connery's surprise ending cameo is praised as ideal kingly star casting that justifies the characters' loyalty to Richard.
- The hanging rescue is the final scene choice with repeated agreement, while the Little John staff fight is also named a personal favorite; obstacles complicating the rescue shot are praised.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:42Read transcript
- Chevy Chase and Garry Shandling are discussed as earlier possibilities, with Chase considered a good fit; Woody Allen is considered too old. — Bill Simmons
- Stone reportedly wanted both Harriet and Rose and left when refused; the dual-role idea is admired. — Bill Simmons
- Myers reportedly wanted Dan Aykroyd as his friend, but Coneheads conflicted.
- John Candy reportedly could not play the captain, and Gary Busey left Vicky for Rookie of the Year. — Bill Simmons
- Reported approaches to Sean Connery and Michael Caine for Stuart are treated uncertainly, with relief that Myers played him. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
Direction; friendship; San Francisco; coffeehouses; tabloids; Scottish wall; supporting cast; romantic comedy
In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:00Read transcript
- The polished direction, San Francisco atmosphere, pacing and music distinguish the film from loosely assembled sketch comedies. — Sean Fennessey
- The first half-hour and short comic appearances make repeated viewing rewarding, although the final twenty minutes are considered weaker. — Bill Simmons
- Charlie and Tony’s friendship feels genuine, including their excitement at getting Vicky as their guide.
- Early-1990s San Francisco, coffeehouse culture, sensational tabloids and sensitive beat poets are praised. — Bill Simmons
- Funny actors playing multiple roles remain appealing; Myers, Murphy, Sellers and Carrey are cited, with Sandler and Gillis considered. — Bill Simmons
- The Scottish Wall of Fame contains Harry Lauder, Sheena Easton, Alexander Graham Bell, Sean Connery and Jackie Stewart; Ewan McGregor and Groundskeeper Willie are suggested additions. Later, two other photographs are said to be unidentifiable. — Bill Simmons
- The tea name and briefly visible Queen Elizabeth dartboard are appreciated. — Bill Simmons
- Beer-drinking fathers in recliners and the opening cappuccino tracking shot are praised.
- Neurotic 1990s men navigating relationships, twisted phrases and the double-date check argument remain amusing.
- The father’s embarrassing Niagara Falls story and bathroom taunt are praised. — Bill Simmons
- The evil delivery is considered a possible seed of Dr. Evil, and the geographic back-scratching exchange is liked. — Bill Simmons
- The trail-of-dead-husbands premise and Harriet’s cluttered apartment are appreciated. — Bill Simmons
- The supporting cast is considered unusually overqualified, including Sheila Kelley appearing in photographs. — Bill Simmons
- Tony’s Serpico-versus-Fish comparison is enjoyed. — Bill Simmons
- The brief period of early-1990s Myers romantic comedies is cherished.
Just One Oscar
Sean Connery, supporting actor
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:18Read transcript
- Connery for supporting actor receives agreement despite his recent Untouchables win. — Chris Ryan
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 of 41 in total
Films in the archive
From Russia with Love
1963
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
1991
The Rock
1996
The Untouchables
1987