Rabbits definitely not on the menu | Coffs Coast Movies | Movie Reviews and Cinemas in Coffs Coast

NO, those trees are not in the forests of the Orara Valley but Russell Crowe's new Robin Hood movie does indeed owe a great deal to Nana Glen.

Before shooting began in France and England on the $120 million film, the Hollywood star's country home was the scene for weeks of intensive training in archery, the selection of timber, the construction of longbows and arrows and feudal fighting skills and techniques.

The actor was tutored by stuntmen as well as experts in these historic combat skills.

As a result, a spokesman for the actor said Russell Crowe had become very adept with a bow and arrow in hand.

But asked if the actor had shot any rabbits with his bow, there was a horrified pause, before he asked if we were kidding.

Presumably jokes about bunnies are not welcome anywhere near this Rabbitohs' hutch.

Russell Crowe is known for his passion for extensive research into his on-screen characters and Robin Hood was no exception.

Nana Glen locals are looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Local Martin Auton still has a hole in the middle of his forehead from a childhood game of archery when he and his brother turned their bike flags into bows and arrows.

He hopes Russell and his film will start a new wave of enthusiasm for the outdoor antics of Sherwood Forest he enjoyed as a boy.

Over at the Nana Glen General Store, owner Stan Mifsud, while vehemently denying he ever played Friar Tuck in the school play, as alleged by Martin, is looking forward to seeing a more realistic portrayal of the mythological Robin Hood.

Back in Coffs Harbour Colin Phillips from the Medieval Guild says he would have loved to have been part of Russell's training but nobody asked him.