Robin Hood (2010), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, offers a new perspective on the Robin Hood story (Russell Crowe), portraying him as a criminal pursued by the Sheriff of Nottingham, a lawman.
The plot unfolds in a politically unstable country, threatened by civil war and French invasion, lacking resources and with a starving population. It is based on the screenplay Nottingham, in which the hero is the sheriff, although Scott altered the plot, making it closer to the well-known legend.
Cate Blanchett plays Marion Loxley, widow of Sir Robert.
Loxley dies in Robin’s arms after entrusting him with the duty of returning the crown and delivering his sword to his blind father, Sir Walter Loxley (Max von Sydow). Robin decides to fulfill the promise he made to Sir Robert Loxley before his death. On the way, he meets his widow, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett), Sir Walter’s daughter-in-law. Upon learning of his son’s death, Walter asks Robin to continue impersonating Sir Robert, as only in this way, with Robin taking his son’s place, can the spirit of Nottingham be kept alive and his heritage protected. In exchange, Robin will tell him about his past and his father and keep the sword, although the agreement also involves Robin pretending to be Lady Marian’s husband, with whom he does not get along.