It is the year 1199, and amidst the backdrop of Richard the Lionheart's (Danny Huston) army, we find Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), a humble archer who has earned respect through his valor during the Third Crusade. Presently, he participates in the siege of Chalus Castle, fighting valiantly to shield his comrades from peril. However, the horrors of war weigh heavily on him, leading to a moment of disillusionment where he voices his honest thoughts about the King's leadership. This act of courage lands him and his fellow soldiers in prison, as Richard proves himself untrustworthy and breaks his promise after an intense siege.
In Richard's absence, Loxley, a general in the King’s ranks, has his estate managed by his wife, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett), who faces dire challenges like rampant theft and oppressive taxes. Struggling to sustain her household, she seeks assistance from the church, but both the Bishop and Friar Tuck turn her away, prioritizing the continuing warfare over the needs of the people.
As the plot thickens, the disillusioned soldiers decide to make their escape. Following Richard's unfortunate death at the hands of a French cook's errant arrow, Robin and his companions, including Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle), Will Scarlett (Scott Grimes), and Little John (Kevin Durand), embark on a secret journey back to their homeland after being away for a decade. During their arduous journey, they stumble upon an ambush orchestrated by Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), an English knight in cahoots with the French. Godfrey's mission is a treacherous one: to assassinate Richard and incite chaos in England. As fate would have it, the ambush meant for Richard targets Loxley, leading to a deadly confrontation.
Determined to return home with newfound riches, Robin and his men don the armor of slain knights and impersonate noblemen, making their way to the English ships. Before leaving, Robin promises the dying Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge) that he will deliver a sword to his father back in Nottingham. Meanwhile, in Nottingham, Sheriff of Nottingham threatens Marian, demanding exorbitant taxes which she cannot pay without seeds to plant for the coming season. Despite the Sheriff's intimidating demeanor and lewd suggestions, she stands firm against his advances.
Once back in England, Robin—now pretending to be Loxley—is called to deliver the tragic news of the King's death to the Royal family. He witnesses King John's (Oscar Isaac) hasty coronation, where John hastily imposes stringent taxes to fund the ongoing wars, unaware that Sir Godfrey continues to play a treacherous game, planning an invasion incited by his cunning tactics. Meanwhile, Sir Walter Loxley, Robin’s assumed father-in-law, compels him to keep up the disguise to salvage the family lands from the crown’s grasp.
As the danger escalates with Godfrey's impending assault on Nottingham, the unrest grows amongst the northern barons, who march to confront King John with demands for a charter of liberties to protect the populace from royal tyranny. Robin, taking on the mantle of Loxley, passionately advocates for this charter. Upon recognizing the threat of a French invasion, John reluctantly agrees.
The film builds to an action-packed climax with a dramatic French invasion at the Cliffs of Dover. Though John leads the armies in name, he turns to Robin for crucial strategies. Amid the tumultuous battleground, Marian, seeking vengeance for Sir Walter, confronts Godfrey but nearly faces her demise. It is Robin who steps in and challenges Godfrey to a fierce duel. The English triumph, but Godfrey attempts to escape before Robin's expertly fired arrow brings an end to his treachery.
In the wake of victory, King John feels threatened by Robin’s rising popularity and reneges on his promise to support the charter. Declaring Robin an outlaw, he inadvertently sparks the legend of Robin Hood as Robin retreats into Sherwood Forest with Lady Marian and his comrades, sowing the seeds of the legendary Merry Men. >“So,” as the concluding scroll reveals, “the legend begins.”
