This is one of those movies that wrap you up in the story and the adventure. There are many find actors that do not overwhelm the character they play. However you do notice right off James Mason as Isaac of York because of the strange attire. An odd surprise is the inclusion of the Herald, John Hallam who also plays Cedric Crackenthorpe in "Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington" ASIN: 6303111602.
As with the movie Avalon where King Arthur is just a part of the story, it is interesting to find Robin Hood, of which many movies were made, to be just a part of this story. Usually these films leave everything in black and white (good or bad) however this version did have shades of gray in the story and people. Even Sam Neill as a de Bois-Guilbert was a good-bad guy. He had to choose between faith, courage, love, and honor and usually picks the wrong side but realizes this too late.
The story line follows fairly true, of which I will not repeat, as that is why you are buying the film. It is the getting there that makes this film interesting.