The Uprising: Robin Hood Marketing Confusion

Andrew Garfield stars in Paul Greengrass’s period drama The Uprising, set to release in the US on 10 September and the UK on 9 October.

The Uprising, a period drama written and directed by Paul Greengrass, features Andrew Garfield as the film’s central figure. The story follows the 14th-century Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, a mass uprising against high taxes and low wages after the Black Death. The film is slated for a 10 September release in the United States and a 9 October release in the United Kingdom.

Marketing Confusion

Clips circulating on social media have carried the line, “Witness the rise of Robin Hood,” and a Facebook post dated 20 August even titled the film The Uprising: The Rise Of Robin Hood. This wording clashes with the known premise of the film, which dramatises the Great Uprising of 1381, a protest led by artisans and workers, not peasants. The film’s lead, played by Andrew Garfield, is credited simply as the Ploughman, while the historical figure Wat Tyler, portrayed by Cosmo Jarvis, is a key character.

The American marketing team has hinted that Garfield’s character might be revealed later in the film as Robin Hood, or at least the real-world figure who inspired the legend. A July trailer posted by distributor Focus Features includes the synopsis: Andrew Garfield stars as the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II. Set against the true events of the Uprising that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood, he forms an army of the people to face the King’s might in a fight for justice.

Official Response

In contrast, the UK distributor Entertainment Film Distributors (EFD) issued a statement denying any connection to the legendary outlaw. The statement read: “The Uprising is a historical epic about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, not Robin Hood.”

EFD also clarified that the UK marketing copy describes Garfield as “the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II,” with no mention of Robin Hood. For fans tracking the film’s release, the fixtures page lists the official dates for both regions.

Historical Context

The confusion may stem from the fact that Robin Hood’s tale is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, whereas the Peasants’ Revolt occurred 200 years later under Richard II. Stories about Robin of Loxley did not appear until the 15th century, and the poem Piers Plowman contains what is thought to be the first written reference to a figure called Robin Hood. It is possible that Garfield’s character is intended as a reference to that poem rather than a direct portrayal of the outlaw.

Release Dates

The Uprising will hit U.S. cinemas on 10 September, while audiences in the UK must wait until 9 October. The film’s marketing campaign continues to generate debate, and viewers may be the first to resolve the mystery when the movie opens.

Source: Film Stories