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Robin Hood (1973) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1973 · 83 min · German
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Starring
Andy Devine

This animated adventure follows Robin Hood, a charismatic former convict who now leads a soccer club. He unites a diverse and unconventional team, facing challenges from the lower leagues to broader issues of racism and personal growth. They must overcome adversity and find their place, proving that even a "dirty rotten bunch" can triumph against all odds.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Robin Hood
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Robin Hood Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Robin Hood (1973) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Prince John's Usurpation

    The story begins with the treacherous lion, Prince John, who has taken over the throne from the rightful King Richard. King Richard has been hypnotized by Sir Hiss, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to Prince John's cunning machinations.

  2. Robin and Little John's Clever Heist

    Robin Hood, a clever fox, and his formidable companion Little John decide to steal from the rich to help the poor. In a daring act, they cleverly disguise themselves as fortune tellers and successfully rob Prince John’s royal carriage, escaping with valuable items.

    Where
    Nottingham
  3. Sheriff's Tax Collection

    In Nottingham, the 'honorable' Sheriff of Nottingham, a scheming wolf, is seen collecting exorbitant taxes from the townspeople. He confronts and pressures a local blacksmith for dues, showcasing his cruel enforcement of Prince John's dictates.

    Where
    Nottingham
  4. Skippy's Gift from Robin Hood

    An impoverished widow bunny finds new hope when Robin Hood, disguised as an old blind fox, gifts her son Skippy a bow and arrow along with a signature hat. This generous act uplifts the spirits of the widow's children and inspires young Skippy.

    Where
    Nottingham
  5. Skippy's Archery Adventure

    Eager to try out his new bow and arrow, Skippy accidentally sends an arrow flying into Prince John's castle. In a courageous move, he sneaks in to retrieve it and meets Maid Marian and Lady Cluck, who share stories and engage in lighthearted games.

    Where
    Prince John's Castle
  6. The Archery Tournament Announcement

    Friar Tuck, a wise badger, informs Robin and Little John about an archery tournament hosted by Prince John, promising a kiss from Maid Marian as the grand prize. Despite Little John’s concerns about the risks, Robin devises a plan to compete in disguise.

    Where
    Sherwood Forest
  7. Robin's Victory and Revelation

    Robin Hood participates in the archery tournament disguised as a stork and impressively wins the competition. However, his triumph is short-lived as Prince John exposes his identity, leading to an intense confrontation that threatens Robin's escape.

    Where
    Tournament Grounds
  8. The Great Escape

    As danger looms, Little John causes chaos at the tournament, distracting Prince John and allowing Robin, Maid Marian, and Lady Cluck to escape. They manage to flee back to Sherwood Forest just in time, avoiding capture.

    Where
    Tournament Grounds
  9. The Phony King of England Song

    Later that evening, Robin and his friends share laughter as they sing a parody about Prince John, dubbing him 'The Phony King of England.' This catchy tune spreads laughter throughout Nottingham, irritating Prince John and inciting his anger.

    Where
    Sherwood Forest
  10. Prince John's Retaliation

    Outraged by the laughter incited by Robin and his friends, Prince John responds by imposing heavy taxes, imprisoning many townsfolk who cannot pay. This retaliation heightens tensions in Nottingham as the poor are pushed further into despair.

    Where
    Nottingham
  11. Friar Tuck's Stand

    The Sheriff raids the church's Poor Box and arrests Friar Tuck when he bravely stands against this injustice. This confrontation highlights the growing strife between the townsfolk and the Sheriff's oppressive regime.

    Where
    Nottingham Church
  12. Robin's Daring Rescue

    Determined to rescue Friar Tuck and the imprisoned townsfolk, Robin Hood and Little John devise a plan to infiltrate Prince John's castle. In a heart-pounding attempt, they free the captives and seize the Prince’s gold, showcasing their daring bravery.

    Where
    Prince John's Castle
  13. The Castle Ablaze

    During the escape from the castle, the Sheriff pursues Robin with a flaming torch, which ignites the castle. With flames erupting around him, Robin makes a harrowing leap into the moat, narrowly escaping the impending disaster.

    Where
    Prince John's Castle
  14. King Richard's Return

    The story culminates with the triumphant return of King Richard from the Crusades. He punishes Prince John, Sir Hiss, and the Sheriff by assigning them to hard labor, restoring order and justice to the kingdom.

    Where
    Nottingham
  15. Celebration of Robin and Marian

    As peace returns to Nottingham, the townspeople joyfully celebrate the union of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. This marks a new beginning for the kingdom as hope and prosperity are restored under the rightful rule of King Richard.

    Where
    Nottingham

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 20:55

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Timeline questions answered

Robin Hood Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Robin Hood (1973): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Prince John become king instead of King Richard?

Prince John seized the throne because King Richard left for the Crusades. Sir Hiss hypnotized King Richard and convinced him to go on the Crusade, allowing Prince John to take over as ruler while his brother was away.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes Prince John's treachery by showing him already on the throne when the story begins.

  • prince john
  • king richard
  • usurpation
  • throne
  • sir hiss
  • hypnosis
Q2

Why did Robin Hood enter the archery tournament in disguise?

Robin entered the tournament disguised as a stork because Prince John had announced the prize would be a kiss from Maid Marian. Despite the danger of being recognized, Robin couldn't resist the chance to see Marian and prove his skill as an archer.

Foreshadowing: Friar Tuck's announcement about the tournament and its prize sets up Robin's decision to participate.

  • archery tournament
  • disguise
  • maid marian
  • robin hood
  • prize
Q3

How did Robin Hood escape from the burning castle?

When the Sheriff chased Robin through the castle with a flaming torch, the fire spread uncontrollably. Robin was trapped inside, but managed to leap from a high window into the castle moat, escaping just as the flames consumed the building.

Foreshadowing: The Sheriff's pursuit with the torch directly leads to the castle catching fire, creating the escape opportunity.

  • escape
  • castle fire
  • moat
  • sheriff
  • robin hood
Q4

Why did Prince John impose such heavy taxes on Nottingham?

Prince John imposed excessive taxes after hearing the townspeople singing "The Phony King of England" about him. The song mocking his rule made him angry enough to punish the entire town by taking everything they had.

Foreshadowing: The "Phony King of England" song directly triggers Prince John's retaliatory tax increase.

  • taxes
  • prince john
  • retaliation
  • nottingham
  • song
Q5

What happened to Sir Hiss at the end of the movie?

When King Richard returned from the Crusades, he punished all the villains. Sir Hiss was assigned to hard labor along with Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham for their crimes against the people of Nottingham.

Foreshadowing: King Richard's return was anticipated throughout the story as the eventual solution to Nottingham's problems.

  • sir hiss
  • king richard
  • punishment
  • hard labor
Q6

Why was Friar Tuck arrested?

Friar Tuck was arrested for standing up to the Sheriff when he raided the church's Poor Box to steal money meant for the poor. This act of defiance led the Sheriff to throw him in jail along with other townspeople who couldn't pay the heavy taxes.

Foreshadowing: Friar Tuck's arrest was part of Prince John's broader plan to capture Robin Hood by using the townspeople as bait.

  • friar tuck
  • arrest
  • poor box
  • church
  • sheriff
Q7

How did Skippy meet Maid Marian?

Skippy accidentally shot an arrow that flew into Prince John's castle while testing his new bow. He snuck inside to retrieve it and met Maid Marian and Lady Cluck, who invited him in and told him stories about Marian's love for Robin Hood.

Foreshadowing: Robin gifting Skippy the bow directly leads to the arrow flying into the castle, creating this encounter.

  • skippy
  • maid marian
  • castle
  • arrow
  • lady cluck
Q8

How did Robin Hood and Little John disguise themselves as fortune tellers?

Robin and Little John used clever costumes and props to pose as fortune tellers at the beginning of the film. This allowed them to get close to Prince John's royal carriage and rob it without being recognized, taking advantage of the disguise to blend in with the traveling crowd.

Foreshadowing: The fortune teller disguise is shown in the opening sequence as their signature method of infiltrating royal occasions.

  • fortune teller
  • disguise
  • carriage
  • robin hood
  • little john
Q9

Why did Robin Hood save Skippy's youngest sister during the castle rescue?

During the prison break, Robin and Little John freed all the imprisoned townspeople. While escaping, they specifically saved Skippy's youngest sister who had been taken captive, ensuring the entire family was reunited.

Foreshadowing: The rescue mission was specifically planned to free Friar Tuck and all prisoners held by Prince John.

  • skippy
  • sister
  • rescue
  • castle
  • prisoners
Q10

Why did Little John cause chaos at the archery tournament?

After Robin's identity was revealed and Prince John ordered his capture, Little John created a distraction by causing chaos at the tournament. This gave Robin enough time to escape along with Maid Marian and Lady Cluck while the crowd was in confusion.

Foreshadowing: Little John's distraction was a backup plan that kicked in immediately when Robin's cover was blown.

  • little john
  • tournament
  • distraction
  • escape
  • chaos
Q11

What was Prince John's real reason for hosting the archery tournament?

Prince John hosted the tournament as a trap to catch Robin Hood, knowing Robin would likely enter to compete for Marian's kiss. The tournament was designed to draw Robin out of hiding in Sherwood Forest so he could be captured.

Foreshadowing: Prince John shows his cunning nature from the beginning, using manipulation rather than direct force.

  • tournament
  • trap
  • prince john
  • capture
  • robin hood
Q12

How did Robin Hood and Maid Marian end up together at the end?

After King Richard returned and punished the villains, the townspeople celebrated by throwing a festival. During this celebration, Robin Hood and Maid Marian's union was officially celebrated, marking their marriage and a new beginning for Nottingham.

Foreshadowing: The romantic tension between Robin and Marian was established earlier when Marian spoke about her affection for him to Skippy.

  • marriage
  • celebration
  • maid marian
  • king richard
  • nottingham

Movie threads

More Movies Like Robin Hood, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Robin Hood tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Animated Adventures like Robin Hood

Charming animated stories filled with lighthearted heroism and joyful moments. If you enjoyed the playful animal heroes and lighthearted adventure of Disney's Robin Hood, you'll love these movies. This collection features similar animated films with a whimsical tone, steady adventurous pacing, and joyful, happy endings. Find more charming stories that feel like Robin Hood.

  • whimsical
  • playful
  • uplifting
  • adventurous
  • heroic
  • joyful
  • Tone: whimsical, playful, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a classic hero's journey but with a playful twist. A likable protagonist, often an underdog, faces a comically tyrannical antagonist. The plot unfolds through a series of adventurous escapades—rescues, contests, and clever tricks—building towards a climactic victory that restores order and celebrates the heroes, all without significant emotional weight or complexity.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared commitment to a whimsical, cheerful atmosphere. They prioritize fun, adventure, and visual charm over grit or deep conflict. The consistent pacing, light emotional weight, and ultimately happy resolutions create a coherent feel-good experience that is the hallmark of this category.

Joyful Underdog Stories like Robin Hood

Stories where a ragtag group of heroes overcomes adversity with spirit and humor. Looking for more movies with the joyful underdog spirit of Robin Hood? This list features stories about charismatic rebels and their ragtag teams fighting injustice with humor and heart. Discover similar films where a likable group triumphs against the odds in a lighthearted, uplifting way.

  • uplifting
  • heroic
  • adventurous
  • joyful
  • hopeful
  • comedic
  • Tone: hopeful, playful, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, building to a climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around social injustice presented in a stylized, non-graphic manner. A charismatic hero rallies a diverse group of allies. The conflict is driven by a series of confrontations and clever schemes against the antagonists, all peppered with humor and camaraderie. The story builds steadily towards a final confrontation where the underdogs prove their worth, securing a definitive and celebratory win.

Why they belong together: These films share a core emotional recipe: the joy of rooting for the little guy. They blend themes of social justice with a light touch, ensuring the adventure feels more like a playful rebellion than a grim struggle. The combination of a steady pace, medium intensity, and a fundamentally happy outcome creates a uniquely uplifting and satisfying vibe.

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Movies Like Robin Hood

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Every angle

Robin Hood (1973) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Robin Hood in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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