| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Disney's Princess Of Thieves
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // Unrated // December 18, 2001
List Price: $29.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Disney is and always has been quite remarkable at marketing. On the same week that their hit "Princess Diaries" is released to video, they're able to pull out another "Princess" picture, "Princess of Thieves", a picture that I doubt many have ever heard of. The DVD's back cover offers a TV-rating, making me think this was one of those "Wonderful World Of Disney" editions that usually airs Sunday nights.
The film stars off discussing the fact that Marian and Robin Hood (Stuart Wilson) had a child. The Sheriff (Malcolm McDowell) wants to do away with the child, but when he finds out it's a girl, he thinks she's obviously going to be no threat to his future. Eighteen years later, Gwyn ( Keira Knightly) is all grown up and wants to take on the evil price herself. Angered by her father's absence during all these years, she wants to take on the evil Prince John. When Robin Hood gets in trouble and Prince Phillip needs to be protected on his rightful way to the throne, it's up to Gwyn to save the day.
While not outstanding, the film was considerably better than most of the similar pictures from the genre that I've seen in recent months. The performances are uniformly terrific, especially Keira Knightley as Gwyn, whose intense effort was highly engaging. There's a good deal of action, strong dialogue, good production values and stunning locations. There's no reason why this couldn't become a great weekly series.
The DVD
VIDEO: Given the fact that this is a made-for-TV production, the film's full-frame (1.33:1) presentation is probably the film's correct aspect ratio. The presentation by Disney is one that generally looks quite good, but a few flaws are spotted now and then. Sharpness and detail are fine, though - the picture appeared well-defined, with the exception of a minor hint of softness here and there.
Blemishes were usually small and not distracting, but still slightly noticable now and then. While the picture didn't seem to show any print flaws in the form of specks, marks or other, there were some other issues to contend with. Minor grain and pixelation were seen, as were a few slight instances of edge enhancement.
Colors looked slightly heavy at times, but the bright outdoor scenes and locations that were often attractive combined to boast a nice, natural color palette that was usually well-presented. Flesh tones also were accurate and natural. A nice presentation, but not really very remarkable in any way.
SOUND: The film is presented in Dolby 2.0 and although the audio is not immersive, the quality was unexpectedly good. The outstanding score sounds marvelously full and rich, while dialogue and sound effects came through clearly and cleanly.
MENUS: Basic, non-animated menus with film-themed images. The score does play in the background, though.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Peter Hewitt. The track is moderately interesting, as Hewitt chats about working with the various actors, as well as some of the production difficulties that the film encountered while on location in Romania. There's a few pauses of silence, but Hewitt is largely informative, occasionally dryly funny and offers good insight into the production process for making a television picture look as if it's a theatrical release.
Adventure Behind The Adventure: This is an 8 1/2 minute "making of" documentary, which is not only informative, but quite entertaining. The featurette offers a nice mixture of story elements and behind-the-scenes production clips, as we are shown the sets being built and learn more about what it was like to work on location in Romania. Worthwhile viewing.
Also: A set of 8 "sneak peek" trailers for other Disney titles, such as "Peter Pan: Return to Never Land", "Atlantis", "Princess Diaries", "Snow White" and others.
Final Thoughts: Disney is releasing both "Princess Diaries" and "Princess Of Thieves" this week; while the first will probably gain a great deal more attention, I found the second considerably more entertaining. Recommended.
Disney is and always has been quite remarkable at marketing. On the same week that their hit "Princess Diaries" is released to video, they're able to pull out another "Princess" picture, "Princess of Thieves", a picture that I doubt many have ever heard of. The DVD's back cover offers a TV-rating, making me think this was one of those "Wonderful World Of Disney" editions that usually airs Sunday nights.
The film stars off discussing the fact that Marian and Robin Hood (Stuart Wilson) had a child. The Sheriff (Malcolm McDowell) wants to do away with the child, but when he finds out it's a girl, he thinks she's obviously going to be no threat to his future. Eighteen years later, Gwyn ( Keira Knightly) is all grown up and wants to take on the evil price herself. Angered by her father's absence during all these years, she wants to take on the evil Prince John. When Robin Hood gets in trouble and Prince Phillip needs to be protected on his rightful way to the throne, it's up to Gwyn to save the day.
While not outstanding, the film was considerably better than most of the similar pictures from the genre that I've seen in recent months. The performances are uniformly terrific, especially Keira Knightley as Gwyn, whose intense effort was highly engaging. There's a good deal of action, strong dialogue, good production values and stunning locations. There's no reason why this couldn't become a great weekly series.
The DVD
VIDEO: Given the fact that this is a made-for-TV production, the film's full-frame (1.33:1) presentation is probably the film's correct aspect ratio. The presentation by Disney is one that generally looks quite good, but a few flaws are spotted now and then. Sharpness and detail are fine, though - the picture appeared well-defined, with the exception of a minor hint of softness here and there.
Blemishes were usually small and not distracting, but still slightly noticable now and then. While the picture didn't seem to show any print flaws in the form of specks, marks or other, there were some other issues to contend with. Minor grain and pixelation were seen, as were a few slight instances of edge enhancement.
Colors looked slightly heavy at times, but the bright outdoor scenes and locations that were often attractive combined to boast a nice, natural color palette that was usually well-presented. Flesh tones also were accurate and natural. A nice presentation, but not really very remarkable in any way.
SOUND: The film is presented in Dolby 2.0 and although the audio is not immersive, the quality was unexpectedly good. The outstanding score sounds marvelously full and rich, while dialogue and sound effects came through clearly and cleanly.
MENUS: Basic, non-animated menus with film-themed images. The score does play in the background, though.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Peter Hewitt. The track is moderately interesting, as Hewitt chats about working with the various actors, as well as some of the production difficulties that the film encountered while on location in Romania. There's a few pauses of silence, but Hewitt is largely informative, occasionally dryly funny and offers good insight into the production process for making a television picture look as if it's a theatrical release.
Adventure Behind The Adventure: This is an 8 1/2 minute "making of" documentary, which is not only informative, but quite entertaining. The featurette offers a nice mixture of story elements and behind-the-scenes production clips, as we are shown the sets being built and learn more about what it was like to work on location in Romania. Worthwhile viewing.
Also: A set of 8 "sneak peek" trailers for other Disney titles, such as "Peter Pan: Return to Never Land", "Atlantis", "Princess Diaries", "Snow White" and others.
Final Thoughts: Disney is releasing both "Princess Diaries" and "Princess Of Thieves" this week; while the first will probably gain a great deal more attention, I found the second considerably more entertaining. Recommended.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Forum | Blu-Ray | Advertise | |||
|
Copyright 2026 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||