Rather than focusing on the legend itself, Robin & Marian tells the end of the story.

Sean Connery is Robin Hood, now middle-aged and tired after decades of war abroad with King Richard (Richard Harris) and his boon companion Little John (Nicol Williamson). With the king dead, Robin and John return to the scene of their youthful glory days, Sherwood Forest, and try to pick up where they left off -- fighting Prince John (Ian Holm), who now is rightful king of England, and the sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw).

But things aren't what they were. With John now king by right, Robin Hood is an outlaw in truth; there's no shiny veneer of fighting to save the throne for absent Richard. And Robin, John and his remaining men -- Will Scarlett (Denholm Elliott) and Friar Tuck (Ronnie Barker) among them -- are now much older than they were, and hijinks in the great forest aren't as easy as they once were.

And Marian (Audrey Hepburn), who had despaired of ever seeing Robin again, is now abbess of Kirklees Priory, although she's happy enough to shed her habit at her lost love's return -- at least, she is once their old nemesis the sheriff gets involved..

The performances here are sterling, particularly by the top-tiered actors Connery, Hepburn, Shaw and Williamson. They bring passion to the roles, but also a weary acceptance of age and changing times. Shaw gets a special nod for bringing new depth to the sheriff, which is so often a thanklessly evil or comedic role. This sheriff has layers.

Also, unlike so many other film treatments of the legend, this version stands tall for sticking to a realistic depiction of the era. You won't see massive CGI battles that never happened or unrealistic stunts that would kill a mortal man. Robin and John are still mighty warriors, but when they walk away from a fight, they hurt. Getting old sucks, even if you're a legend.

Patrick Bergin's take on Robin Hood is still my favorite version of the heroic tale, but Robin & Marian is a movie I can watch over and over again. Each time, I am again transported -- and I am grateful for the skill of the actors who brought these aging legends to life.