A Robin Hood costume for dressing up to attend costume parties has always been popular, but with a new Russell Crowe movie remake of the Robin Hood legend, it looks set to become a more popular choice for the next few years.

The legend of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest and his conflicts with the Sheriff of Nottingham is one of the oldest and most enduring stories in the English language. The origins date back to the time of the Crusades, Medieval kings and knights, including the larger than life character of King Richard the Lionheart.

The appeal of the story probably lies in its tale of resistance to the abuses of power, and stealing from the unjustly rich to give to the downtrodden poor. The rights to personal freedom, independent thought and the need for justice and good government in society are threads of the story that might help explain why the story has remained popular through the ages and still has an appeal today.

For all that more serious interpretation, it is also a rollicking fun story of daring, skill and romance, rounded out with a range of interesting characters besides the main hero, Robin Hood. The Merry Men, such as Will Scarlett, each have their own story. Friar Tuck is a lovable monk, and Maid Marian's love affair with Robin Hood provides the romantic side to the story.

In a way, the English yeoman's long bow is also a hero of the story - kind of the Middle Ages version of a secret weapon that gave Robin Hood and his Merry Men the advantage they needed as they battled the Sheriff of Nottingham and his armored men-at-arms.

On the "bad" side of the story there are the unpleasantly portrayed Sheriff of Nottingham with his knights and men-at-arms, collecting taxes from the poor peasants for the benefit of King John, who is standing in for King Richard while he is away at the Crusades.

A sharp contrast of the story is the hideout of Robin and his Merry Men in the depths of Sherwood Forest, from which they launched their raids on travelers, while the Sheriff of Nottingham and his men lived in their powerful castles.

The story has been retold in varying versions in movies several times over the years, with the lead character being played by acting luminaries like Errol Flynn and Kevin Costner. A grittier version portrayed by Russell Crowe could well replicate his success with the movie Gladiator.