Princess of Thieves

Princess of Thieves is a romantic adventure TV movie starring Keira Knightley, produced by Granada Productions in 2001 and first broadcast on The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC in the United States that same year. Co-starring in the film are Malcolm McDowell as the Sheriff, Jonathan Hyde as Prince John, Stuart Wilson as Robin Hood, Del Synnott as Froderick, and Stephen Moyer as Philip. The movie was directed by Peter Hewitt and filmed in Romania. The film's plotline draws inspiration from the classic Robin Hood legend, which has been adapted many times for screen.

Synopsis

The film picks up years after the "known" events of the Robin Hood legend, centering on Robin's daughter, Gwyn, played by Knightley. As Maid Marian has died and Robin Hood (Stuart Wilson) is perpetually away battling in the Crusades, Gwyn has lived much of her life alone. She has grown up to be a strong-willed young woman with a talent for archery, much like her father. Her only friend is the sweet but plain Froderick (Del Synnott), who clearly is in love with her. Upon the death of King Richard the Lionheart, Robin returns to see that the proper man takes Richard's place as King of England. However, Robin is quickly foiled and imprisoned by his enemies, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell) and Prince John (Jonathan Hyde).

It is then up to Gwyn to save the day. She must complete Robin's mission to find and protect the young Prince Philip (Stephen Moyer), who has just returned from exile in France to claim the throne – not an easy task since he has decided to forsake his true identity and is travelling anonymously under his valet's name (who died en route protecting his prince). Though she does fortuitously cross paths with the prince, she is not aware of his identity for much of the film. With a romantic spark budding between them, they must find the Merry Men and join forces to free her father from the tortures of the Tower of London before the evil Prince John ascends to the throne and brings England to ruin. After freeing her father, Gwyn along with her father and Prince Philip stop the coronation of Prince John.

In the end when Philip is about to be crowned as king, Gwyn with a heavy heart tells him that she can only serve and work for him and they cannot be together. Robin later explains that he stayed out of Gwyn's life to protect her from the life he leads, but it didn't make any difference because she grew up to be just like him anyway. He then proposes a partnership between the two of them to serve Philip, with the only condition being that she take her orders from him (Robin) alone. She agrees, and at the end they are seen together leading Robin's Men, side by side.

Characters

• Keira Knightley – Gwyn, the daughter of Robin Hood and Maid Marian
• Stephen Moyer – Prince Philip, illegitimate son of King Richard the Lionheart
• Stuart Wilson – Robin Hood
• Del Synnott – Froderick, a young man who has grown up with Gwyn; he is studying to be a churchman
• Malcolm McDowell – Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood's mortal enemy
• Jonathan Hyde – Prince John, King Richard's younger brother who attempts to steal the throne of England
• Crispin Letts – Will Scarlett, Robin Hood's loyal friend and companion
• Roger Ashton-Griffiths - Friar Tuck

Production credits

• Director – Peter Hewitt
• Executive Producers – Susan B. Landau, Robert Rovner, Jon Cowan, Antony Root
• Art Director – Cristian Niculescu
• Second Unit Director – Mary Soan
• Composer (Music Score) – Rupert Gregson Williams
• Editor – Sue Wyatt
• Producer – Bill Leather
• Production Designer – Chris Roope
• Screenwriter – Robin Lerner

References

External links

• Official website
• Princess of Thieves at the Internet Movie Database
• Princess of Thieves – Robin Hood Spotlight A review of the film and an analysis of historical and legendary background, including a feature on Robin Hood's children