Photo courtesy of: http://www.freeclassicimages.com/images/adventures_robin_hood_1938.jpg .
After sitting through the quirky yet brilliant "Adaptation" in my last screening of one of Roger Ebert's Great Movies, I wondering what direction this journey would take me in next. The direction went from off-beat to sheer fun (not that "Adaptation" wasn't), but this was a different kind of fun. The kind of fun I had watching "The Adventures of Robin Hood" was the same kind of fun I always have when I re-watch "Raiders of the Lost Ark." While both movies tell vastly different stories, they are two of the best filmed action movies I have ever seen. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a red-blooded adventure movie in the best sense. It has action, adventure, and romance. Everything I could want as a moviegoer is here. I must admit I am a sucker for a good swashbuckling movie, so this was right up my alley.
The story we all know by now: Robin Hood robs from the rich and gives to the poor along with his band of merry men. Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) does have his reasons. Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, has been taken prisoner by Leopold of Austria. In the meantime his brother Prince John (Claude Raines) raises the taxes, allegedly to pay ransom for the king's release. Of course, that is not the case. It has everything to do with him taking the throne. Saxon Robin Hood takes up the cause to right these wrongs (namely restoring Richard to the throne) and along the way develops a following and falls in love with Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland). And of course there is Sir Guy (Basil Rathbone), another of John's henchmen.
A better cast could not have been asked for. Errol Flynn is a perfect as the charismatic outlaw Robin Hood. The same can be said for Claude Raines as the evil John, Olivia de Havilland as Marian, and of course Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy. Who knew Sherlock Holmes could be such a convincing villain?
The sword fighting is some of the best ever filmed. I really felt like I was in the thick of the action. Also of note is the look of the film. The costumes, sets, etc. all work beautifully. Then there is the gorgeous cinematography by Tony Gaudio and Sol Polito. This is one of the best looking films in history, thanks in no small part to the great use of technicolor.
Then there is Michael Curtiz, the director. He would later go on to direct "Casablanca," a film considered by many (including myself) to be the greatest film ever made. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" was one of many classics he would put his stamp on as a director. He would later team-up with Flynn again on "The Sea Hawk."
"The Adventures of Robin Hood" is one of those movies that brings out the kid in me and yet it still has things I can appreciate. It only gets better upon repeat viewings. It's exciting, funny, beautifully produced/acted, and also has a score I could listen to again and again. Yes, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a worthy addition to the pantheon of "Great Movies."
The story we all know by now: Robin Hood robs from the rich and gives to the poor along with his band of merry men. Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) does have his reasons. Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, has been taken prisoner by Leopold of Austria. In the meantime his brother Prince John (Claude Raines) raises the taxes, allegedly to pay ransom for the king's release. Of course, that is not the case. It has everything to do with him taking the throne. Saxon Robin Hood takes up the cause to right these wrongs (namely restoring Richard to the throne) and along the way develops a following and falls in love with Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland). And of course there is Sir Guy (Basil Rathbone), another of John's henchmen.
A better cast could not have been asked for. Errol Flynn is a perfect as the charismatic outlaw Robin Hood. The same can be said for Claude Raines as the evil John, Olivia de Havilland as Marian, and of course Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy. Who knew Sherlock Holmes could be such a convincing villain?
The sword fighting is some of the best ever filmed. I really felt like I was in the thick of the action. Also of note is the look of the film. The costumes, sets, etc. all work beautifully. Then there is the gorgeous cinematography by Tony Gaudio and Sol Polito. This is one of the best looking films in history, thanks in no small part to the great use of technicolor.
Then there is Michael Curtiz, the director. He would later go on to direct "Casablanca," a film considered by many (including myself) to be the greatest film ever made. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" was one of many classics he would put his stamp on as a director. He would later team-up with Flynn again on "The Sea Hawk."
"The Adventures of Robin Hood" is one of those movies that brings out the kid in me and yet it still has things I can appreciate. It only gets better upon repeat viewings. It's exciting, funny, beautifully produced/acted, and also has a score I could listen to again and again. Yes, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a worthy addition to the pantheon of "Great Movies."
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