Summer may have come and gone, but a good comedy is appreciated any time of year. Personally, I don’t just go for any comedy films – I love a good spoof. And when it comes to film spoofs, Mel Brooks is at the top of the game. The American filmmaker and actor’s work is known worldwide, with films such as Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, The Producers, and many more bearing his name. But those films are not the subject of this review. Today, we’re going to talk about the one and only Robin Hood: Men in Tights…
Men in Tights was originally released in U.S. theaters in July 1993, with a United Kingdom release in December of the same year. It was produced and directed by Mel Brooks and written by Evan Chandler and J. David Shapiro, with the score composed by Hummie Mann. The film stars Cary Elwes as Robin Hood, Richard Lewis as Prince John, Roger Rees as the sheriff of Rottingham, and Amy Yasbeck as Maid Marian. The film also features additional performances by Mark Blankfield, Patrick Stewart, Dom Deluise, and Dave Chapelle.
The plot is as follows: When Robin Hood of House Loxley returns from war to find his home of England under the unjust rule of Prince John and the sheriff of Rottingham, he must assemble his merry men to fight for the people and restore order!
The film is largely a comedic spoof of previous Robin Hood stories. Its plot is loosely based on the 1991 Prince of Thieves film, but it is also influenced by Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). The film humorously references past iterations of the Robin Hood character, and there are even numerous references to Brooks’ previous works. It even goes as far as casting actors who had been associated with Brooks’ previous films, such as Dom Deluise, Dick Van Patten, and Rudy De Luca, alongside Mel Brooks himself.
Reviewing a film that is purely intended as a comedy is tricky, because comedy can be rather subjective as not everyone’s comedic tastes are the same. However, Men in Tights is an important fixture in a long line of comedy films from Brooks, an award-winning comedian and comedy writer, and while I will admit that for me not every joke in this film lands its mark, I do find the jokes mostly land well. If you’re a fan of irreverent humor and fourth-wall breaks, this film will be quite the delight for you.
I also have positive things to say about how the film looks and sounds. Mann’s score strikes a level of variety that would feel right at home in Prince of Thieves, but it also reflects the fact that the film is a spoof of the Robin Hood mythos. The film’s vocal tracks such as “Men in Tights” or “The Sherwood Forest Rap” shine as comedic-based tracks, while more traditional compositions are mixed into the film’s score. Men in Tights also shines visually in its variety of sets. One would think it a proper English period piece, or an authentic Robin Hood film, but the variety of humorous visual gags pleasantly remind you that you’re watching a spoof of a Robin Hood story. These gags are used in moderation, though, and they don’t overstay their welcome.
Men in Tights grossed $72 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million. The film itself received a mixed reception critically, the consensus being that while it was a humorous and enjoyable watch, it wasn’t as funny as Brooks’ past works. It became the fifth-highest grossing of Brooks’ films in terms of box office performance, and when it came to home video release, it was tied for Brooks’ highest-selling film with the sci-fi spoof Spaceballs.
In all honesty, I do not think this the best of Brooks’ films, but I still find it to be a highly enjoyable piece of comedic cinema. It holds my earnest recommendation as a comedy film. I’m partnering with Amazon once more to bring you a specialized purchase link for Robin Hood: Men in Tights. If an irreverent comedy from the mind of one of America’s most critically acclaimed comedians appeals to you, I would highly recommend checking it out!
