Written by Mr. Mouseburger 15th Jul 2005
The Bishop of Hereford has realised too late that he has been in league with dark forces and having just wed the Sheriff of Nottingham to Marion, which has been gatecrashed by Robin, the Bishop decides to make a hasty exit.
The bishop notices someone has violated his rectory
As he is packing up his bags of gold, Friar Tuck confronts him. Seeing a fellow man of the cloth, the Bishop is relieved. However, what the Bishop doesn't know is that this particular Friar is an unpredictable booze hound.
Who will rid me of this turbulent Bishop?!
Tuck starts loading the Bishop up with bags of gold, and giving the Bishop one final bag, Tuck says to him that this is "30 pieces of silver" - a reference to the treachery of Judas. Upon delivering this line, Tuck pushes the Bishop out of the castle window and he falls to his death, his corpse surrounded by a pile of coins.
Tuck surveys his handiwork. Who says the Catholic church can't regulate itself?
Words can't express how disappointed I am that the IMDb site didn't include this exchange in the movie's Quotes section. Out of all the deaths in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, this one was the most satisfying for me, just to see the corrupt bishop get his comeuppance from Friar Tuck--a character formerly relegated to the frivolous "comic relief" role yet using this most appropriate moment to grow a pair and make a stand for righteousness at last. And the Judas Iscariot reference was pretty slick, too. ;-)
Friar Tuck: Gold. You sold your soul to Satan, Your Grace. You accused innocent men of witchcraft and sentenced them to die....
Bishop of Hereford: But brother friar, you would strike another man of the cloth?
Tuck: No, I wouldn't. In fact, I'll help you pack for your journey! You have to take a lot of gold to help you on your way.
*heaps more gold on the Bishop's load*
Tuck: You are a very rich man. And that, and that.
*heaps even more gold on as the Bishop strains under the weight*
Tuck: And here's thirty pieces of silver...to pay the Devil on your way to Hell!
*shove, fall, splat* :-D
The actor's name is Harold Innocent.
And the ironic part is that he is a villian when his surname is Innocent...
That IS a hell of a name for an actor who plays villains to have (though it would be a bit more ironic if Mr. Innocent were a career criminal instead...).
I did notice the real name with an IMDb search; After "David Innocent" turned up no results, I searched for the movie title and found that his name was Harold Innocent too. He has also been dead since 1993, sadly, but I guess it happens to everyone sometime.... :-(
how much gold did Friar Tuck give Hereford to pay the Devil before he sent him out the window?
He gave him thirty pieces of silver, actually.
I hadn't really picked up on the thirty pieces of silver bit until now.
What do you mean? it is Harold?!
cheers for spotting that