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Men in Tights will always be Canon Robin Hood to me

Ridley Scott not knowing the proper locations of things in England explains how badly he's screwed up Napoleon.

Medieval French troops storming the beaches in WW2 era landing boats is something I never expected see and I love it.

Russell Crowe managed to keep every Robin Hood scholar happy by doing every English accent (including Scouse, Nigerian, Mancunian, Northern Irish, Geordie, Jamaican...) all at the same time.

The addition of "David Attenborough" narrating a wildfire started by Robinhood and referring to him as a prick was an evil stroke of genius

Ridley Scott: "Excuse me mate, were you there?" Historian: "We have numerous historical accounts of-" Ridley Scott: "WERE YOU THERE?!"

"Can't say I've ever met a literate stonemason" - Tywin Lannister.

You can only run from Napoleon for so long, Nick. It might kill you, but you know it must be.

The knock-off D Day landing was just unreal, complete with underwater shots of trailing arrows like the bullets in Saving Private Ryan

On his death bed he called on Little John and stated " Bring me my bow, where ever this arrow lands this is where you shall bury me! " His men stayed true to his request and thats why Robin was buried ontop of his bedroom wardrobe.

Also, another minor point was that the king was not called "Your Majesty" until Henry VIII, who thought the phrase sounded better than "Your Grace."

30:32 - The "Richard Attenborough" voice-over almost made me choke on the steak I was eating while watching.

I'm absolutely dying at the fact that the gaggle of orphan boys are all riding, not ponies, but miniature horses perfectly proportioned to their own sizes. As if that was something easy to come by.

Fun Fact: Despite the fact that John is the most common male name in England, there has only been one King John. He was that bad of a king

I grew up watching Robin of Sherwood on Saturday afternoon telly and for me that will always be the definitive version of the Robin legend.

The Ridley Scott Robin Hood, gives strong 'Braveheart' vibes in the scene with the King, Robin Hood revealing himself, and giving his speech dialogue about rising up & freedom.

Don't forget that the knights that they loot the equipment from after the ambush were presumably those of the King's inner circle, meaning their heraldry would've most likely been recognized by multiple people at court when they arrived in England.

I loved the Attenborough line- totally came out of nowhere and was a perfect impression 🤣🤣🤣 Did an AI do it or a friend? It was flawless delivery

Had to pause the video and comment... the David Attenborough section was brilliant! I love it! I really want to believe that was actually Sir David Attenborough doing that bit 🙂Timestamp 30:22

I could've happily watched this cast of Robin and his merry men in a complete film without anybody else. They were genuinely funny and fun to watch.

I am very upset that the stories of Robin Hood and Little John running through the forest was NOT done in the company of a singing, lute playing rooster. This is an outrage.

“Sir David Attenborough’s” narration of the cremation scene was THE best part of this!

My Mum met Russel Crowe once. Crowe went to the little town of Dorrigo with his kids to The Plateau Cafe, and ordered: a Vegemite sandwich. The Plateau cafe, where my Mum worked at the time would close and is now a small museum that is open during the markets, but at least it is open unlike the Antique show thats never open, the bottom pub(we have 2) or the Railway Hotel that has been “closed for renovations” for 7 years and the motel part was only open for a short period of time, and the train’s, which is the biggest train museum in the Southern Hemisphere, but the Trains and carriages have been sitting there rotting since the track closed in the 1980’s

I can't wait for Nick's take on Napoleon. That forehead smack animation is going to get a lot of use.

I would love to see an April fools video on a historical parody like men in tights, history of the world pt 1, or Monty python and the holy grail, and do a full on historical breakdown!

This movie shows that Scott's ability to make historically accurate movies has always been a problem. And when he was called out on it for NAPOLEON, he straight up had a temper tantrum and attacked everyone who criticized the movie.

That Attenborough spoof voiceover was ruthless! You REALLY didn't like this one and take no pains to conceal your displeasure. Great review! Can't wait for you to behead and eviscerate Mr. Scott's "Napoleon"

As a fellow British Bald-y, I'm confident in saying that Mark Strong being villainous so often, most likely comes from the slight taper of his skull shape. Animation has long taught us to associate roundness with friendliness and joviality, sharpened angles with villainy and deviousness.

It’s always funny that King Richard “the Lion heart” is regarded as a great English king even though he was only in England for like 10 minutes

I heard that an earlier version of this Robin Hood's screenplay was that it followed the Sheriff of Nottingham's perspective, depicting him as an overworked law enforcer in Prince John's borderline anarchic England, and Robin was both an impoverished nobleman-turned-bandit that refused to bow to John AND suspect number one for a spate of cold-blooded murders around Nottingham, despite only admitting to killing to a few of the victims in banditry raids, but several of his merry men were killed in cold blood too, meaning there's a Jack the Ripper-type lurking about... A cat-n-mouse crime thriller set in 12th-13th century England with Robin Hood and the Sheriff becoming reluctant allies to catch a serial killer would've been so interesting.

How come theres no new videos?

As someone who performs cremations for a living, thank you for pointing out how ridiculously bad that cremation was. Not only would the entire surrounding area be caught on fire (as you pointed out) but the body wouldn't be fully cremated with that pathetic amount of fuel...they'd have a mostly charred halfway cremated corpse to s till deal with. Not to mention that even if everything didn't catch on fire, that would probably be one of the smokiest cremations ever; the grass fuel would not be able to get hot enough to burn properly and would release TONS of smoke.

The actual story of the Magna Carta should be made into a movie

If I recall correctly, this film began as a movie from the Sheriff of Nottingham’s respective, before the director and Crowe were brought onboard. Sounds like all the rewrites and changes took their toll.

A great Robin Hood story is the Outlaw Chronicles by Angus Donald, told from the point of view of Alan of Dale. Covering all elements of the legend and time period (with the few inaccuracies discussed by the Author at the end of each book) with the kind of gritty realistic feel that this film was probably attempting.

Hollywood has never achieved a faithful adaptation to the Robin Hood legend

Editing in this one was on another level. Attenborough narration was a perfect touch.

My medieval history professor told us one thing that was spot on in this film was John pausing as he gave Robin the ring and knocking it on his head, saying, “This crown costs money.” John wasn’t stupid, he was just a real jerk and had no idea how to communicate with people. In general, the film captures John terrifically.

The production value and depth of research in your videos is so high that I’m legitimately surprised you haven’t been picked up by a major network or streaming service yet. You and the Gaming Historian, I swear by these channels lol. Both you guys have higher quality episodes than a lot of bigger budget doc series out there. You deserve to get picked up already!

I feel that Robin Hood is a great many people fused into a legend 😊

I believe there is one more element to why the early Robin Hood was a yeoman. Since the English army strongly relied on archers during the Hundred Years War, many commoners came back from the battlefields of France richer and with significant military training, making Robin a perfect mirror of the time. There is a short documentary by Mike Loades detailing how many families of north and central England were founded by these veteran archers.

While we're on the subject of Ridley Scott's grasp of Medieval history, I would love to see The Last Duel get the History Buffs treatment! I am very curious how the film aligns with real events!

Nick, I can sense your deep frustration with sweeping inaccuracies in epic films. There is one you may really like, that comes as a great relief and exception to that rule. Its both epic and as accurate as a history film can be. It's called Braveheart, it's about the Scottish rebellion and even has Mel Gibson. Please check it out

13:00 He was also french by birth, was a french duke, talked Poitevin french and Chalus was one of his own castles... Richard died in a bed inside Chalus castle. The castle had surrendered when learning the duke Richard himself was present at the siege and wounded.

I've just watched this on Netflix and I must say that Oscar was a great King John.

I swear Ridley Scott is just trolling us history lovers

I actually love this movie. I think it tells a great story and gives a unique perspective on the legend. I wish they would’ve made a sequel to this one.

Captain Picard is the best Robin Hood! Fight me! 😂😂

I love Russel Crowe's fluctuating accent in this movie. It's hilariously adorable.

can I just say how amazing it is that you got David Attenborough to do some narration for this video. Well done!

Thanks very much Nick for another great episode. Currently rewatching HBO’s John Adams since its initial release. Wondering if it is in your pipeline but think you would do a great job with it.

When I saw those landing crafts...I almost died!

"How do you know the knights you see walkin' about, are actually knights at all?" The fact most of them spoke French as a first language was a big clue... certainly those close to Richard the Lionheart would have been Franks rather than English, so would have spoken either French or Occitan.

It’s incredible how long this channel has been producing quality content. I have no doubt that tens of thousands of people (myself included) have gained an interest in history thanks to your work!

Two Robin hood actors are both supermans dad in Man Of Steel!! Kevin Costner was Jonathan Kent and Russell Crowe was Jor'el. No wonder Clarke Kent became a superhero instead of being a supervillan!!!haha

I like how you always credit the clips you use from other movies, saves me having to work out what they are

You know what's underrated? The 1991 Robin Hood with Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman. It's not bad at all and has the best sense of the period as any Robin Hood film.

I as German who as a Teenager (2010) did Not really have any knowledge of the english History must admit that despite the obvious historical inaccuracies the Film did Spark my interest in it. Now 13 years later im quiet thankful it did. Never the less great Episode as usual. Thanks for your passion.

Obviously, this movie is spot on in the origin of the free masons and the lord of the flies. Where it fails is the distinct lack of tights, and the question "are you not entertained?" for maximus effect. ;)

There is a documentary that said there is no record of a particular single "Robin Hood' but there is one that was named Robin "Hode'' similar to Hood and a few other references too other people so that the date for Robin Hood, if an historical figure is a Range, not a singular date, and was as far back as the early 1200's.which is after the tyranny of foreign rulers had time to set in and generate real social class tension. Meaning, that this is a Legend, a story based in reality, and someone who took actions like this, but a fictional narrative was layered upon it, similar to King Arthur, weaving fiction and facts, and taking stories and perhaps weaving them together in the case of Arther, i.e. multiple sources woven into a single Arthurian Legend. Also both the Arthur legend and Robin Hood were, for their time, a functioning Propaganda, a type of story that told what certain interests wanted to be told, but also could also hold real misinformation or disinformation as in the case we see with Napolean or Roman or even ancient Greek forms of misinformation that become things like the Spartan Myth, which was a myth by the time of Plato. These stories then represent ancient and medieval forms of propaganda and misinformation campaigns that benefited some set of interests at the time or gave them at th time a cultural narrative to use to justify whatever it is they were seeking to be justified. Such as the birth culture of Chivalry is found in the Frankish Carolingian Kingdom/Empire, what we call 'France', not England, and that is why the 'perfect example' of knighthood was from kingdom we later call 'The French', Lancelot du Lake. He had a fall from grace, which happens in real history when the French Knightly Chivalrous Code fails France and the Knights fail, forcing the Peasants to win against the English, so that the end of the Medieval period is the battle of Agincourt, the battle the French knights Failed, like Lancelot. And the English Longbowmen, which Robin Hood is a member, was ascendant and triumphant. Robin Hood represents the rising Yeomanry, free men, and not a noble, but yes, they made into later into a noble, but this class was a man-for-hire or someone who could be a soldier for the King, or could work against a corrupt King, like John. Robin Hood's story is the story of the English Everyman. Plus you have the backdrop fo the fact the English were a conquered people, by the Normans, and the Papal authority that authorized the conquest, and ultimately leads to the Baron's War as the Saxon nobles are sick of the tyranny of the invading foreigners, but then again William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy was not well loved when he died by his own men, he is what we call "a Major Prick of the First Order', and like Stalin he died because his own body guards didn't want to try and save him. Instead, they found ways to elevate their own status upon his death, and enrich themselves, and keep in mind the conquest made billionaires out of the duke and his top nobles in equivalent wealth today. That is why the Doomsday book was made, to assess what everything was worth so they could tax the people.

On the subject of Pepper Harrow being chosen as the name, I have some family members who live near there. A large part of the film, as well as the intro section of Gladiator, was filmed nearby and local gossip was that Ridley Scott liked the village and the name of it so much that he incorporated it into the film.

My favorite detail about this film is that Alan-a-Dale is portrayed by Alan Doyle (coincidence with the name?), who is a real-life folk singer from Newfoundland. :)

You forgot something. Part of the Robin Hood legend is that the forests were owned by the King, and to trespass was a death sentence. The appeal of the legend were guys able to trespass without giving a f---. In fact, the most famous film acknowledged that by having Robin Hood bring in a hunted deer to the King.

I am a huge history nerd and absolutely LOVE your videos! I even made a PowerPoint presentation once about reality vs movie, with Braveheart and William Wallace as my focus. And I of course used your video for most of the facts I included in that presentation! 😄 I was wondering, my absolute number one FAVOURITE tv show of all time is Outlander. Could you perhaps make a video about that sometime? That would definitely be extremely awesome! 😍😁

I was a young history major when this movie came out, and you hit all the major points that I had issue with in the movie, especially riding the horses off the ww2 landing craft.

Can’t wait for Nick to review Napoleon. It’s gonna be a blast

I'd be totally in board with a Robin Hood set against the backdrop of the Magna Carta if it were done right. Also, the David Attenborough bit is the best thing I've seen all year.

Loved this, thank you for making such fantastic videos

The 1938 version with Erroll Flynn, Basil Rathbone and Olivia DeHavilland is still the best by far. The classic sword duel between Robin and Gisbourne is one of the greatest scenes in cinema.

My understanding is that the original script was for a medieval murder mystery with the Sheriff of Nottingham as the central character. Trying to solve a murder that easily points to Robin Hood and the Sheriff grappling with his emotions because he has reason to believe it's a frame job. Then Ridley Scott got involved and tossed the concept.

This was so funny & refreshing to hear a commentary of the real historical facts overlaid on this film. Ofcourse a commoner could never pass for a nobleman - or the Viking style cremation and the ridiculous subplot using the Magna Carta etc. Why indeed ?? I wonder what history buffs would think of the film: “the return of Martin Guerre” ? Set in C15th France. As this version of Robin Hood had a similar plot of an imposter returning from war and taking the place of another man who is the husband to a woman who knows he’s not really her husband.

I am So Glad You are back with More Episodes!

'Breaker Morant' would be a perfect movie for your analysis given the stark realities of the Boer War, and the heroic take of the film.

This channel can be a bit of an education at times but you have a really energetic sense of humour. I love how you do have a sense of balance for filmmaking, being critical about inaccuracies but still forgiving when certain aspects have to be altered for forgone for pacing.

Just found this channel a couple days ago and I gotta say in my opinion, this guy makes some of the best content. Even when it comes to movies I’ve never seen, he does a great job with reviews, breakdowns, and everything else.

First of all, this is History Buff's funniest review yet. The extra work that went into the editing and voiceover jokes absolutely paid off. Second, I love the fact that Nick is annoyed with this movie's bad history but is also equally annoyed at it just being a terrible movie.

Nick your cranking these out, love it, Flynn version was filmed in Chico only an hour away

This movie is eye-wateringly gorgeous visually - and eye-wateringly bad with history. I'm so glad to see your take on it, Nick. It makes me feel validated, kinda like how it feels to share stories between trauma survivors.

I can’t wait to see you dissect Napoleon. Ever since it was released I’ve been eagerly awaiting your review

I just consider this movie a heavily creative liberty filled imagined prequel to the long told story of Robin Hood. I was first introduced to the story by Disney, in my very young years, where I thoroughly abused my VHS privileges, but was in my adult years excited for this film. I enjoyed it, and I still do. I've learned to come to terms with Hollywood's lack of historical research, and take the movies for what they are. You shouldn't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive. 🍻

If the geography of this movie shocks you, you should watch Season of the Witch with Nicolas Cage, where in one scene they ride along the coastal region of Steieemark, completely ignoring the fact that what is todays Austria doesn't have a coast at all.

Wow, this is twice (to my knowledge) that England denied itself of having an actual king named Arthur. First being King John's nephew Arthur, Duke of Brittany, and the other was Henry VIII's elder brother Arthur Tudor. I mean there are people who ask "Was there really a King Arthur?" and to that I say, there was almost one not once but twice. I guess it really is only a model.

Medieval and early modern English history was my area of study in university & my friend took me to this movie in theaters just to watch me squirm. I do remember being impressed with the way Marians estate was set up and how she knew how to run everything which would’ve been accurate for women in the time of the Crusades

Firstly I wanna say that I love your channel. A great way to present crash courses in history. Secondly, you are aware of the fact that movies are for entertainment purposes and all Hollywood cares about is attracting an audience. Thanks again.

I live in Nottingham and every time my dad and I pass a Robin Hood statue or sign (there's an estate agent here that has Robin Hood as their logo, so we see them quite often), we boo and comment knowlingly to each other that Robin Hood was actually from Barnsdale (my dad is also from Yorkshire).

I've been reading the King Raven series by Stephen Lawhead, and he sets Robin Hood in Wales in the 1100s. He argues that the root of the Robin Hood legend lies in Wales because the longbow originated with the Welsh, Wales was covered in old growth forests while most of England's old growth forests had been destroyed (making them harder to hide in for long periods), and the legend was most likely an oral tradition before it was written down, which means is probably originated well before the written account in the 1300s. It seems like a really interesting argument.

The AI David Attenborough commentary was brilliant

Nick I’m not sure if you’ll read this, but.. I just want to thank you, I have been struggling recently and your amazing videos and jovial tone helps me escape, not only into the wonderful world of cinema but history, my first love. Your videos combine the fantasy of movies with the gritty reality of life. These videos help me relax, I genuinely enjoy history and movies, and having both in one video is amazing. Have been watching you from the start buddy! Hope for many more videos to come. You’re the best

30:30 loved the David Attenborough cameo telling it like it is.

This channel was basically created to undo the harm filmmakers like Ridley Scott are doing to the understanding of history.

Nick, you NEVER FAIL to amuse. The edits are great. Nicely done, and thank you.

To be 100% honest I never give a damn about a historical movies accuracy. After all I'm watching the movie to be entertained not to be taught. Second I'm surprised at this movie wasn't better received by the public. The music's fantastic, the story is magical, the acting is incredible. This is literally one of my favorite movies.

24:27 to be fair, this is pretty much what happened about a hundred years later during the English Peasants Revolt under Wat Tyler. Tony Robinson (who also did a great documentary on Robin Hood which I think the filmmaker must have seem, since they reference Robin originally being from Barnsdale in Yorkshire like the earlier ballads, though they leave out the ballads being set during the reign of Edward II) did a great documentary on the Revolt which showed that the rebels were pretty well organised, used coded written messages and were pretty sussed on the politics of the time, given that they knowingly targeted the buildings that held tax records and went after both tax collectors and the financial elite (including the archbishop of Canterbury, who was chancellor at the time).

My favorite Robin Hood movie is the one with Kevin Costner......Alan Rickman will always be my Sherrif

Robin Hood: "Ima gonna low-key humble-brag and shoot an arrow between your fingers." Narrator: "Robin Hood wasn't that great of a shot and put the arrow into dude's shoulder." Robin Hood: "Sorry, man. I wasn't trying to shoot you. My bad."

It's been a while - hoping to see one about Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and The Great Escape

I have to point out that the earliest Robin Hood stories were not set during the time of King John, or even in the Sherwood Forest. The original stories feature King Edward (probably Edward I) and Robin's main haunt is the Barnsdale Forest. Also, the name Robin Hood seems to predate the legendary figure by centuries and has been associated with outlaws and wilderness well before the Norman era.

One thing I always love about this and Kingdom of Heaven is how commoners just automatically know how to control war horses, use the weapons of the nobles (which they might have seen, but almost certainly never trained with), know how to wear (and move) armor that always just happens to fit perfectly, and always are masters of military strategy and tactics that they would have absolutely no knowledge of.

You took this review personally. I felt some extra spice on your comentary and pissed my self laughing. Great job man