The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, Michael Curtiz, William Keighley)
Great films should not be this much fun. This retelling of the Robin Hood legend is one of Hollywood’s greatest accomplishments. Time has not diminished the power of this incredible swashbuckler. The Adventures of Robin Hood is drenched in invigorating bliss, which is why it is almost impossible to resist. It is very flattering to see a movie that is so eager to please the audience. The film has plenty of action, humor, romance and even a dash of social commentary (the film handles the topic of prejudice and class warfare in an intelligent manner). The cast is great too.
Errol Flynn is Sir Robin, the knight who transforms himself into the protector of the disenfranchised. It is one of Flynn’s best roles; the actor’s natural dashing looks and easy-going attitude are perfect for the part. Olivia De Havilland is lovely as Marian, and Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone are memorable heavies. I also liked Ian Hunter’s work (as King Richard), a very underrated actor. As a matter of fact, the entire cast is perfect, down to the smallest roles (courtesy of Warner’s stock company).
Also, from the very first scenes, the technical finesse of the film immediately caught my attention. Unusual camera angles are plentiful, which I’m sure will make the film visually interesting to modern eyes. It’s also one of the most beautiful Technicolor films of the era. Postcard-perfect images abound throughout the movie. The sets have the exact amount of artificiality. And Erich Wolfgan Korngold’s score is justly legendary. This elaborate production is one the best swashbucklers ever made. The Adventures of Robin Hood is also a perfect family film.
You are so on the money with your assessment of all the Errol Flynn films. His reputation has taken some hits, what with the rumors of sex with an underage girl ( Robert Downey, Kelsey Grammar, Jerry Seinfield) and showing up at the movie set inebriated (too many modern examples to cite) Hey. He was simply ahead of the curve. There is the rumor of being a Nazi spy (At least he didn’t do Marilyn Monroe and plot JFK’s assassination–or DID he?).
And where else will you see a man take out a dozen Nottingham guards with a deer carcass?
Non sequitur. Or maybe not. There’s this Warner Bros. short. A cartoon with Daffy Duck as Robin Hood and Porky Pig as Friar Tuck. Laugh riot. It rules. And even a clip of our man Errol.
HI everyone, that my great cousin from my dad’s his cousin, that was my tree family by genes, my dad told me said ” that was my cousin”, i shocked said “that was my great cousin, and why not we going to visiting to him?” he said “no, he was died by heart attack.” i was very so disappointment,and very sad. i was happy heard about fame history by actors…. ^_^ i’m from Colorado, and soon back to Colorado school for the deaf and blind, by Aug 17,2009.
~ Courtney Petras