Popular Culture Review Vol. 3, No. 2, August 1992 | Page 50

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Before ending I must add one further thought bom of the need
to view Robin Hood. Prince of Thieves more than once. Reading the 23
reviews, I found myself, remembering the film from the theater,
agreeing with the most negative of them. Then, purchasing the video
and seeing the film again, I found myself noting the various elements
most emphasized by the reviewers, the directing and acting in
particular. I found, to my surprise, that Costner's lighter midwestem
voice seemed not so unsuitable-not all leaders are baritones, that the
directing was more focused and effective than I had remembered, that
the Sheriff was not allowed to go beserk or become too silly to
engender fear, and that, on the whole, I enjoyed the film far more
than when viewing it for the first time. I conclude that movies may
be being changed in a way not heretofore recognized: knowing their
films will be seen far more often on VCRs than on theater screens,
makers of films are taking chances producing films that they know,
subconsciously if not consciously, nuiy play more poorly the first time
because of elements which will help them play better on subsequent
viewings. If this is correct, films are entering another major stage in
their development.
University of Dayton

Frank Henninger