The Adventures of Robin Hood quotes

View Quote In the year of Our Lord 1191, when Richard, the Lion-Heart, set forth to drive the infidels from the Holy Land, he gave the Regency of his Kingdom to his trusted friend, Longchamp, instead of to his treacherous brother, Prince John. Bitterly resentful, John hoped for some disaster to befall Richard so that he, with the help of the Norman barons, might seize the throne for himself.

View Quote But Prince John's reign became even more murderous. Terror spread among the helpless Saxons who knew that resistance meant death. Soon death became preferable to oppression and the defiant oath became more than a thing of words.

View Quote Much-the-Miller's-Son: From this day on, I'll follow only you. Why there isn't a poor Saxon in all of Nottinghamshire that doesn't know and bless Sir Robin of Locksley. Take me as your servant. Why in all the forest, there isn't a hunter as good as me. I ask no pay, just to follow you.

View Quote Sir Guy: Don't you know that it's death to kill the King's deer?
Much: Yes, and death from hunger if I don't, thanks to you and the rest of you Norman cutthroats at Nottingham Castle...You can beat and starve our Saxons now, but when King Richard escapes, he'll take you by the scruff of the neck and fling you into the sea.

View Quote Prince John: Was it worthwhile, coming with me from London to see what stout fellows our Nottingham friends are? Take Sir Guy. He's from London, one of our most renowned defenders of the realm.
Marian: Must I take him, your Highness?
Prince John: Why, you like him, don't you?
Marian: Well, he's a Norman, of course.
Prince John: Is that the only reason for liking him?
Marian: Isn't that reason enough for a royal ward...?
Prince John: Nay, I'll not force you, my lady. But he's our most powerful friend in these shires. And he's already in love with you. If I could promise him marriage to a royal ward, it might help my plans.
Marian: Perhaps when I know him better.
Prince John: Of course. You're a very wise young woman.

View Quote Prince John: Any more objections to the new tax from our Saxon friends?
Noble: Objections your Highness? With a Saxon dangling from every gallows tree...?
Prince John: Well said...but not too many mind, else we'll have nobody left to till our land or pay the tax.

View Quote Prince John: Bring Sir Robin food! At once do you hear. Such impudence must support a mighty appetite.
Robin: True enough, your Highness. We Saxons have little to fatten on by the time your tax gatherers are through.
Prince John: Do you feel you are overtaxed?
Robin: Overtaxed, overworked and paid off with a knife, a club or a rope.
Marian: Why, you speak treason!
Robin: Fluently.
Bishop of the Black Canons: I'd advise you to curb that wagging tongue of yours!
Robin: It's a habit I haven't yet formed, your grace.

View Quote Robin: [calling Prince John a traitor] What else do you call a man who takes advantage of the King's misfortune to seize his power? Now, with the help of a sweet band of cutthroats, you'll try to grind a ransom for him out of every helpless Saxon, a ransom that will be used not to release Richard but to buy your way to the throne.
Sir Guy: Let me ram those words down his throat, your Highness!
Prince John: Oh no. Later. Let him spout for a moment. [To Robin] And what do you propose to do?
Robin: I'll organize a revolt, exact a death for a death, and I'll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up free men, and strike a blow for Richard and England.
Prince John: Have you finished?
Robin: I'm only just beginning. From this night on, I'll use every means in my power to fight you!

View Quote Little John: He's well named Friar Tuck. It would take half the deer in Sherwood Forest to fill that cabin.
Tuck: And twice that to fill your empty head!

View Quote Robin: To them, this is heaven. Silks for rags. Kindness instead of riches. Limitless food instead of hunger. Why, they're actually happy!
Marian: Are they?
Robin: Aren't you even a little pleased to see them enjoying themselves?
Marian: I think it's revolting.
Robin: Ha. Your life's been very sheltered, hasn't it, Marian? Too sheltered perhaps. But if you could know these people as I know them, their infinite patience, loyalty, goodness...
Merry Man: To the tables, everybody, and stuff yourselves!
Marian: I'm afraid the company has spoiled my appetite.

View Quote Robin: Are you really interested in learning why I turned outlaw? Or are you afraid of the truth, or of me perhaps?
Marian: I am afraid of nothing, least of all you.

View Quote Marian: But you've taken Norman lives.
Robin: Yes, those that deserved it, cruel and unjust.
Marian: You're a strange man.
Robin: Strange? Because I can feel for beaten, helpless people?
Marian: No. You're strange because you want to do something about it. You're willing to defy Sir Guy, even Prince John himself, to risk your own life. And one of those men was a Norman!
Robin: Norman or Saxon, what's that matter? It's injustice I hate, not the Normans.
Marian: But it's lost you your rank, your lands. It's made you a hunted outlaw when you might have lived in comfort and security. What's your reward for all this?
Robin: Reward? Just don't understand do you?
Marian: I'm sorry. I do begin to see...a little...now.
Robin: You do? Then that's reward enough. [He kisses her hand gently]

View Quote Marian: He is different from anyone I've ever known. He's, well he's brave and he's reckless, and yet he's...gentle and kind. He's not brutal like...tell me, when you are in love, is it, well, is it hard to think of anybody but, but one person?
Bess: Yes, indeed my lady, and sometimes it's a bit of trouble sleeping.
Marian: I know, but it's a nice kind of not sleeping.
Bess: And it affects your appetite too. Not that I've noticed it's done that to you, except when he was in the dungeon waiting to be hanged.
Marian: And does it make you want to be with him all the time?
Bess: Yes, and when he's with you, your legs are as weak as water. Tell me, my lady. When he looks at you, do you feel a kind of prickly feeling like goosy pimples running all up and down your spine?...Then there's not a doubt of it.
Marian: Doubt of what?
Robin: [entering through the window] That you're in love.

View Quote Sir Guy: Not only has she consorted with this Saxon rebel, found guilty of outlawry, theft, murder, abduction, and high treason, but she has betrayed her own Norman people. Are you not ashamed my Lady Marian?
Marian: Yes, I am, bitterly, but it's the shame that I'm a Norman, after seeing the things my fellow countrymen have done to England. At first, I wouldn't believe. Because I was a Norman, I wouldn't let myself believe that the horrors you inflicted on the Saxons were just and right. I know now why you tried so hard to kill this outlaw whom you despise. It's because he was the one man in England who protected the helpless against a lot of beasts who were drunk on human blood. And now you intend to murder your own brother.
Prince John: You'll be sorry you interfered.
Marian: Sorry? I'd do it again if you killed me for it.
Prince John: A prophetic speech, my lady, for that is exactly what is going to happen to you.
Marian: You wouldn't dare. I'm the royal ward of King Richard and no one but the King himself has the right to condemn me to death.
Prince John: You are quite right, my dear. And it shall be a King. I will order your execution for high treason exactly forty-eight hours from now. Take her away.

View Quote Robin: Did I upset your plans?
Sir Guy: You've come to Nottingham once too often.
Robin: When this is over my friend, there'll be no need for me to come again.