ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976) **1/2 I admire the sheer audacity of trying to portray Robin Hood and Marian in old(er) age. Sean Connery's inherent good nature is more than enough to cover any (slight) shortcomings he might have with regard to...I guess it's comedic timing, anyway the scenes don't always snap. Audrey Hepburn has always been a soulful actress, so soulful that she, too, can be forgiven for no longer being young. John Lester's pacing is appropriate, as always. Some of John Barry's music is very moving, in that dramatic, cinematic way. But the best scenes may be the early ones burned between Connery and Richard Harris, several key scenes leave you wishing the principals would rise to the occasion as you've seen them do before, and the thought you're left with is that some ideas should be left alone. Shakespeare knew that Romeo and Juliet couldn't be allowed to grow up, Archie and Betty and Veronica are frozen in time, and...the story of Robin Hood is one of arrogance, yes, and long-shot dice throwing, and the romance of victory. Making Robin Hood grow up, maybe it's a good idea, but only Robin Hood could pull it off.
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