Princess of Thieves

Infobox Television Film
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name = Princess of Thieves


caption = North American DVD release
format = Drama
runtime = 88 minutes
creator =
director = Peter Hewitt
producer = Jon Cowan
writer = Robin Lerner
starring = Keira Knightley
Del Synnott
Stephen Moyer
music =
country = UK
USA
language = English
network = ABC
Granada
released = 11 March 2001
first_aired =
last_aired =
num_episodes =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
imdb_id = 0272790
tv_com_id =
amg_id =

"Princess of Thieves" is a romantic action-adventure TV movie produced by Walt Disney Productions in 2001 and first broadcast on ABC in the United States that same year.

The film starred Keira Knightley (in her first starring role) as Gwyn, the headstrong and rebellious teenaged daughter of Robin Hood and the late Maid Marian. Just as good as her father with a bow and arrow and quick of wits, Gwyn finds her skills put to the test when she has to rescue Robin Hood and his right-hand man, Will Scarlett from the clutches of the evil Prince John. Meanwhile, John and his minion the Sheriff of Nottingham conspire to kill the young son of Richard I of England, Philip, who is set to take the throne upon Richard's imminent death. When Gwyn and Philip cross paths – with her not realizing his true identity – sparks fly. Co-starring in the film are Malcolm McDowell as the Sheriff, Jonathan Hyde as Prince John, Stuart Wilson as Robin Hood, Del Synnott as Froderick, and Stephen Moyer as Philip. The movie was directed by Peter Hewitt and filmed in Romania.

Trivia

* Knightley had to learn to shoot a bow for this film; this skill would come in handy again a few years later when she appeared in "King Arthur" playing another bow-carrying heroine.
* For reasons unexplained, the character of Little John is the only major member of the Merry Men not accounted for in this story.
* Jonathan Hyde previously played the Sheriff of Nottingham (or Alan Wheatley's Sheriff, to be precise) in the fantasy sequences of Fellow Travelerdn.
* Phillip was a real person, but he was an illegitimate son of Richard I. He could not claim the throne, and before his death, Richard had left instructions that John was to inherit the throne even though their nephew, Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, had a better claim. Arthur was the son of their late brother Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany who was the middle brother. Richard recognized that, despite their differences, John truly loved EnglandFact|date=September 2008.
* Richard I reigned only just short of 10 years (July 6, 1189 to April 6, 1199). Given the ages of the characters, it would be impossible for the Robin Hood / Prince John Feud to span two generations. The whole thing would have to have started during the reign of Richard and John's father, Henry II of England. Also, it would have to have most likely started when Richard's older brother Henry the Young King was still alive and heir to the throne. Richard and John would not be fighting each other over the throne.

External links

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* [http://www.boldoutlaw.com/robspot/0305.html Princess of Thieves - Robin Hood Spotlight] A review of the film and an analysis of historical and legendary background, including a feature on Robin Hood's children