Post by Dennis of Ravenscar on Feb 26, 2023 20:24:18 GMT
i.imgur.com/VPpxmju.png
Plot
The titles open with a flourish of rousing music, announcing that the Technicolor spectacular you are about to witness is “Based Upon Ancient Robin Hood Legends”. The caption tells us of the state of the country and of Prince John’s evil plotting.
In the multi-coloured town square an announcement is being made. Hear ye, hear ye, the beloved King Richard is a prisoner in Austria. Obviously, Guy and Prince John are plotting to prevent his return and place John on the throne. In the process, they can make things difficult for the Saxons. Of course, now we see some nasty Norman soldiers picking on Saxons, spitting at Saxons and insulting monks.
i.imgur.com/mdB9kDx.jpg
In the beautiful green of Sherwood, a group of Normans are riding along for no apparent reason. Also riding along aimlessly, but far more manfully, are Robin and Will.
A small peasant in a tree shoots a deer. Unfortunately, he hadn’t noticed Guy coming along, who gives chase. Robin spots the chase and off he pelts in hot pursuit. Guy catches up with the peasant, who gives him a bit of lip. Being a paid up member of the NNP (Norman Nationalist Party), Guy raises his nasty-looking weapon to beat him. In the nick of time, Robin shoots the weapon out of his hand and rides into the situation, confronting Guy and demonstrating his manly wit. Robin claims that it was he who killed the deer and that Much (the peasant) is his servant. Guy threatens him with the death penalty, Robin threatens him with a arrow and off Guy rides. Robin and Will have a chuckle and Much offers to follow Robin, who accepts.
i.imgur.com/WlUMkh2.jpg
Another caption tells us that Prince John and his minions are having a banquet at Nottingham Castle. At the party there is a lot of food and anyone who is anyone is there, including the beautiful ward of the King, Lady Marian. The discussion turns to the new taxes and then to Robin and his reputation as a protector of the people. Prince John, not very surprisingly, decides that he wants Robin dead. There is a sudden flurry of noise from outside the hall. The doors are opened and the man himself is seen fighting the guards. He is allowed to enter and he strides towards the top table with a deer slung over his shoulders, which he dumps on the table in front of the Prince. After a brief bit of Saxon insolence on the part of our hero, Prince John decides that he likes Robin. Marian wants to leave the company but is instead introduced. She doesn’t appear to like Robin (that won’t last). John invites Robin to sit and eat, which he does, throwing in a bit more wit and a little treason for good measure. Prince John effectively ignores this, then goes on to announce a new tax to be paid towards Richard’s ransom. He denies Longchamps and declares himself regent. Robin denounces him and all his barons, saying he will fight him all the way. Of course, this leads to a very big fight scene in which Robin basically takes everyone on, beats them and trashes the place, before escaping to where Will and Much are waiting outside. They ride to Sherwood and lose their pursuers in the forest. Robin sends Much off to tell all the Saxons that those who want to fight should meet him the next day at the Gallows Oak.
Back in Nottingham, Prince John is not a happy bunny. He has proclaimed Robin an outlaw and his lands forfeit. There is a signed death warrant waiting if they catch him. Guy (in his foolishness) reckons they will.
In Sherwood, it is morning and Robin is in good spirits but Will is complaining. All of a sudden, they come across a big guy on a small bridge. They exchange a few good-natured insults before Robin goes off to get a conveniently straight piece of wood from a nearby bush. There is a fight, a few witty quips and Robin is in the water. More heroic chuckling follows. Little John joins their merry band after very little persuasion.
i.imgur.com/dvf9SMg.jpg
Much and others spread the word about the meeting at Gallows Oak. At the gathering Robin makes a stirring speech, urging the peasants to fight back and to free themselves. They all take an oath in the greenwood to fight for a free England.
According to the latest captions, John is getting nasty, but the valiant Saxons are fighting back. There is a quick montage of a few atrocities put right by the brave men of Sherwood and then we see Guy and some barons discussing how to get Robin.
i.imgur.com/7vzgSKX.jpg
Back in the forest, a monk called Tuck is sleeping. Robin’s men trick him into stealing his food and waking him up. He tries to get Tuck to join them and when he refuses, makes him carry him across the river. Tuck tips him in and attacks him. After a few more of those quips, Robin puts a stop to the fight and offers Tuck a good life with good food in Sherwood. This time he agrees and there is much manly laughter. Will rides up to the merry gang, bringing news of Guy’s little trip through Sherwood with oodles of tax money. They spring into action.
The Norman party, including the lovely Marian, gets split up and the boys take full advantage, with lots of swinging on false vines and staged punches. Laughing heroically and with plenty of manly wit, Robin leads the successfully captured Normans to the camp. Marian still doesn’t seem to like him, but her handmaiden, Bess, is getting on very well with Much (bless his cotton socks). At the happy camp, the outlaws strip the noblemen and dress them in rags. There is much feasting and merriment, during which Robin preaches the goodness of these simple folk to Marian. She is making a valiant attempt to stay aloof. She does, however, want to know why Robin became an outlaw. This time he saves his noble speech until after he has shown her the sick and wounded and helpless he wants to protect. She is moved, she begins to understand, she softens.
i.imgur.com/XBiwV0t.jpg
Robin sends the men back to Nottingham in their rags. Marian is to be escorted to the abbey where she will stay for the night. She bids him a friendly and rather doe-eyed goodbye.
Back at the castle, Prince John, Guy and the rather pathetic Sheriff come up with their plan. Surprise, surprise; it’s an archery contest and the prize is a golden arrow presented by the Lady Marian.
With a flourish of trumpets, more revelry is underway with brightly-coloured peasants and not-too-heavily disguised outlaws at every turn. The Norman boys are plotting again and, being an intelligent young lady, Marian is suspicious. Robin’s gang are trying to tell him that it’s all a trap, but he’s too manly (or is that stupid?) to care.
i.imgur.com/QiOdGIo.jpg
Lots of people shoot lots of arrows, but only the man of the moment, Robin, is skilled enough to split the arrow and win the hearts of the throng. Prince John agrees to let Guy deal with the outlaw, as he’s off to London. Marian presents the arrow, the guards are called in and Robin puts up a good fight, but this time, he is captured and taken to Nottingham.
After yet another speech about loyalty to the King from Robin, Guy sentences him to be hanged the next day. Understandably, Marian is upset and persuades Bess to tell her how to get a message to the outlaws.
At the Saracen’s Head Inn, the gang are talking when Marian arrives. They don’t trust her because she’s a Norman but Tuck gives her a chance and she swears she will help. She has a plan.
Cut to the square the next day. Most of the city seems to be there to watch Robin’s star appearance. Our hero is brought in, square-jawed and brave and immediately spots the guys preparing to rescue him (not very conspicuously). They attack, Robin is rescued, there is a big escape scene and everybody’s happy. Except the bad guys.
That night, Marian is in her room discussing love and Robin. And there he is; magically appearing at the window. He is apparently there to ‘thank’ her. She denies that she’s in love with him even when he says he’s in love with her. He teases her and pretends to leave, so she admits it (didn’t take much). There’s a big kiss and a flourish of music. He asks her to marry him and go to Sherwood with him. Oddly enough, she says no, she wants to stay in the castle and spy on the bad guys for him. There’s another kiss which is interrupted by footsteps outside. It is Guy who goes away again (odd). Robin kisses Marian goodbye twice and climbs down the ivy.
i.imgur.com/VnUhjgs.jpg
At the Kent Road Tavern a mysterious group of hooded men is gathered to eat. The Bishop of the Black Canon turns up blustering about Robin Hood. One of the hooded men lets a “sire” slip and the Bishop twigs and suddenly decides to leave. The Bishop goes and tells Prince John that Richard is back and they plot to murder him. Marian overhears them but they notice her. The next day, John will proclaim himself King.
Marian writes a letter and is about to give it to Bess when Guy and his thugs turns up and arrest her. Bess runs for help.
Marian is accused of treason and after a noble denial of her Norman heritage, she is sentenced to death. Meanwhile, Bess sends Much with a message for Robin. He goes after the assassin first and a watery fight begins in the river and fades out: My God, who won?
Robin is robbin’ (ha, ha) an apparent Abbot and his monks who claim to be loyal to Richard. They are taken in as friends. Will finds Much and takes him to Robin who leaps into action, ordering his men to search for the King. The ‘Abbot’ reveals himself to be Richard (wow). Much tells them about Marian and about John’s plotting but never fear, gentle viewer; Robin has a plan.
The next day, there is a procession heading towards the castle, largely made up of Robin’s outlaws and Richard’s men disguised as monks. In the castle an overconfident John prepares to be declared King as poor Marian languishes in her artistically-lit cell.
i.imgur.com/Kbbdg7q.jpg
Of course, Richard reveals himself to all in the great hall before John can complete his evil plan. There is a big, and I mean BIG , fight scene. The sword fight between Robin and Guy is inevitable but very well staged and really quite exciting in places. Look out for the shadow bit. Finally, Guy tries to play dirty and use a dagger, but Robin is wise to it and manages to kill him. He races to Marian’s cell and frees the lovely lady.
Back in the great hall, the day belongs to Richard and he banishes John from the kingdom for good measure. The King (who had obviously been taking lessons from Robin) gives a stirring speech about sharing the kingdom. He gives Robin a pardon and offers him anything he wants. Being the guy he is, Robin asks for a pardon for the men of Sherwood and for Marian’s hand. Obviously, he gets both. The lovely couple slip away from the crowd and out of the castle amidst much manly cheering.
i.imgur.com/LFOJkLT.jpg
All is well.
Review
The Adventures of Robin Hood is not a film that can be taken seriously; no swashbuckler should be. In fact, most of the people in it don’t seem to be taking it too seriously. Of all the swashbucklers ever made, this is the ultimate: it has it all. There are bright colours, big music, flowery dialogue, hissable bad guys, huge set pieces, great fight scenes and, of course, a hero to be reckoned with. True to tradition, the plot is predictable, the characters are two-dimensional and historical accuracy has been abandoned and left by the wayside. However, all is not lost. Everyone involved is obviously having a great time and everything gels beautifully. You can’t help but get swept along by it.
Errol Flynn was and still is the best of the swashbuckling heroes. He had the looks, the moustache, the manly laugh, the smile, the sword-play and the all important twinkle in the eye that is so vital when delivering ye olde one-liners. He made his living playing these parts and knows exactly what he is doing. His performance is bang-on. I have to admit that it is obviously a performance. The viewer is always aware that this Robin is total make-believe, but the entire film is self-conscious and constructed, so Errol fits the bill completely. Alongside him, he has the best screen partner he ever had; Olivia de Havilland. Not only was she beautiful, but her calm, self-assured grace balanced out Errol’s furious action perfectly. Never was this more effective than in this film. They’re not what you could call electric together, but there was a wonderful chemistry between them; their screen personae set each other off in the best possible way. Robin is brave, reckless, charming and witty. Marian is proud, beautiful, headstrong and intelligent. Together, they were the Fred and Ginger of the swashbucklers.
The supporting cast, however, varies dramatically from one cardboard character to the next. Will is a poor imitation of Robin, Little John is... well... he’s Little John. That’s all he is. Tuck is mildly irritating but little else, and the Sheriff is terrible. Even all those years ago, he couldn’t have been funny. You want him dead, but he doesn’t die and you can’t fail to be disappointed. On the plus side, everyone else is great.
Claude Rains plays the same part he played in Casablanca, except this time he has a royal title and better clothes. He is thoroughly evil, but he knows he’s evil and he’s enjoying it, so the viewer can also enjoy it and laugh with him. Basil Rathbone is quietly threatening, smouldering ominously in a corner. He may on first viewing seem redundant, but he has a certain intriguing quality, simply because he doesn’t talk as much as everyone else. He has poise and mystery, which is always a good combination. And, as an added bonus, he was one of the best swordsmen in the world at the time, so the final duel is wonderful. It doesn’t matter that some of the cast are annoying, because it is Errol’s film and you don’t have to put up with the others much if you don’t like them.
The costumes and the sets are highly inaccurate, but as the titles proudly announce that the film is in Technicolor, we have to put it down to a bit of showing off on the part of the film makers. Also, audiences didn’t seem to mind so much about that kind of thing, as long as it all looked good. That is the thing that must be remembered when watching The Adventures of Robin Hood; it doesn’t matter. More than any other telling of the legend, this is purely and simply entertainment. We laugh when they laugh, we sigh when they kiss, we cheer when they rid England of tyranny. That is what it is all about. I was brought up on these films and I know how to appreciate them, especially when they are as good as this one. Don’t ignore the inconsistencies as you might when watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. You must embrace them, enjoy them and accept them as part of Hollywood history. The film is “based on ancient Robin Hood legends” but is also a legend itself. Long before Arnie, Sly or Jean-Claude started strutting their stuff, the likes of Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and Tyrone Power were buckling their swashes with style, poise and humour.
Well, that’s my self-indulgent diatribe over with; I’m sorry if you disagree. As a fan of this kind of film, I love it, but many won’t. The Adventures of Robin Hood is one of the best, if you like that kind of thing.
Great Lines
Marian: “Why, you speak treason!”
Robin: “Fluently.”
Prince John: “By my faith, but you’re a bold rascal. Robin, I like you.”
Robin: “I’ll organise a revolt. Exact a death for a death. And I’ll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up as freemen and strike a blow for Richard and England.”
Caption: “Soon death became preferable to oppression and the defiant oath became more than a thing of words.”
Marian: “You’re a strange man.”
Robin: “Norman or Saxon, what does it matter? It’s injustice I hate, not the Normans.”
Guy: “He’ll not be so insolent when they’ve stretched his neck.”
Marian: “You taught me then that England is bigger than just Normans and Saxons fighting and hating each other. That it belongs to all of us to live peacefully together, loyal only to Richard and to England.”
Richard: “I further banish from my realm all injustices and oppressions which have burdened my people. And I pray that under my rule, Normans and Saxons alike will share the rights of Englishmen.”
Cast
Robin...Errol Flynn
Marian ...Olivia de Havilland
Guy of Gisburne...Basil Rathbone
Prince John...Claude Rains
Will Scarlet...Patric Knowles
Friar Tuck...Eugene Pallette
Little John...Alan Hale
Sheriff....Melville Cooper
King Richard...Ian Hunter
Bess...Una O’Connor
Much....Herbert Mundin
Bishop of the Black Canons...Montagu Love
Dickon Malbete...Harry Cording
Captain of Archers...Howard Hill
Art Director...Carl Jules Weyl
Music...Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Editor...Ralph Dawson
Screenplay...Norman Reilly Raine, Seton J. Miller
Producer....Henry Blanke
Director(s)....Michael Curtiz, William Keighley
Plot
The titles open with a flourish of rousing music, announcing that the Technicolor spectacular you are about to witness is “Based Upon Ancient Robin Hood Legends”. The caption tells us of the state of the country and of Prince John’s evil plotting.
In the multi-coloured town square an announcement is being made. Hear ye, hear ye, the beloved King Richard is a prisoner in Austria. Obviously, Guy and Prince John are plotting to prevent his return and place John on the throne. In the process, they can make things difficult for the Saxons. Of course, now we see some nasty Norman soldiers picking on Saxons, spitting at Saxons and insulting monks.
i.imgur.com/mdB9kDx.jpg
In the beautiful green of Sherwood, a group of Normans are riding along for no apparent reason. Also riding along aimlessly, but far more manfully, are Robin and Will.
A small peasant in a tree shoots a deer. Unfortunately, he hadn’t noticed Guy coming along, who gives chase. Robin spots the chase and off he pelts in hot pursuit. Guy catches up with the peasant, who gives him a bit of lip. Being a paid up member of the NNP (Norman Nationalist Party), Guy raises his nasty-looking weapon to beat him. In the nick of time, Robin shoots the weapon out of his hand and rides into the situation, confronting Guy and demonstrating his manly wit. Robin claims that it was he who killed the deer and that Much (the peasant) is his servant. Guy threatens him with the death penalty, Robin threatens him with a arrow and off Guy rides. Robin and Will have a chuckle and Much offers to follow Robin, who accepts.
i.imgur.com/WlUMkh2.jpg
Another caption tells us that Prince John and his minions are having a banquet at Nottingham Castle. At the party there is a lot of food and anyone who is anyone is there, including the beautiful ward of the King, Lady Marian. The discussion turns to the new taxes and then to Robin and his reputation as a protector of the people. Prince John, not very surprisingly, decides that he wants Robin dead. There is a sudden flurry of noise from outside the hall. The doors are opened and the man himself is seen fighting the guards. He is allowed to enter and he strides towards the top table with a deer slung over his shoulders, which he dumps on the table in front of the Prince. After a brief bit of Saxon insolence on the part of our hero, Prince John decides that he likes Robin. Marian wants to leave the company but is instead introduced. She doesn’t appear to like Robin (that won’t last). John invites Robin to sit and eat, which he does, throwing in a bit more wit and a little treason for good measure. Prince John effectively ignores this, then goes on to announce a new tax to be paid towards Richard’s ransom. He denies Longchamps and declares himself regent. Robin denounces him and all his barons, saying he will fight him all the way. Of course, this leads to a very big fight scene in which Robin basically takes everyone on, beats them and trashes the place, before escaping to where Will and Much are waiting outside. They ride to Sherwood and lose their pursuers in the forest. Robin sends Much off to tell all the Saxons that those who want to fight should meet him the next day at the Gallows Oak.
Back in Nottingham, Prince John is not a happy bunny. He has proclaimed Robin an outlaw and his lands forfeit. There is a signed death warrant waiting if they catch him. Guy (in his foolishness) reckons they will.
In Sherwood, it is morning and Robin is in good spirits but Will is complaining. All of a sudden, they come across a big guy on a small bridge. They exchange a few good-natured insults before Robin goes off to get a conveniently straight piece of wood from a nearby bush. There is a fight, a few witty quips and Robin is in the water. More heroic chuckling follows. Little John joins their merry band after very little persuasion.
i.imgur.com/dvf9SMg.jpg
Much and others spread the word about the meeting at Gallows Oak. At the gathering Robin makes a stirring speech, urging the peasants to fight back and to free themselves. They all take an oath in the greenwood to fight for a free England.
According to the latest captions, John is getting nasty, but the valiant Saxons are fighting back. There is a quick montage of a few atrocities put right by the brave men of Sherwood and then we see Guy and some barons discussing how to get Robin.
i.imgur.com/7vzgSKX.jpg
Back in the forest, a monk called Tuck is sleeping. Robin’s men trick him into stealing his food and waking him up. He tries to get Tuck to join them and when he refuses, makes him carry him across the river. Tuck tips him in and attacks him. After a few more of those quips, Robin puts a stop to the fight and offers Tuck a good life with good food in Sherwood. This time he agrees and there is much manly laughter. Will rides up to the merry gang, bringing news of Guy’s little trip through Sherwood with oodles of tax money. They spring into action.
The Norman party, including the lovely Marian, gets split up and the boys take full advantage, with lots of swinging on false vines and staged punches. Laughing heroically and with plenty of manly wit, Robin leads the successfully captured Normans to the camp. Marian still doesn’t seem to like him, but her handmaiden, Bess, is getting on very well with Much (bless his cotton socks). At the happy camp, the outlaws strip the noblemen and dress them in rags. There is much feasting and merriment, during which Robin preaches the goodness of these simple folk to Marian. She is making a valiant attempt to stay aloof. She does, however, want to know why Robin became an outlaw. This time he saves his noble speech until after he has shown her the sick and wounded and helpless he wants to protect. She is moved, she begins to understand, she softens.
i.imgur.com/XBiwV0t.jpg
Robin sends the men back to Nottingham in their rags. Marian is to be escorted to the abbey where she will stay for the night. She bids him a friendly and rather doe-eyed goodbye.
Back at the castle, Prince John, Guy and the rather pathetic Sheriff come up with their plan. Surprise, surprise; it’s an archery contest and the prize is a golden arrow presented by the Lady Marian.
With a flourish of trumpets, more revelry is underway with brightly-coloured peasants and not-too-heavily disguised outlaws at every turn. The Norman boys are plotting again and, being an intelligent young lady, Marian is suspicious. Robin’s gang are trying to tell him that it’s all a trap, but he’s too manly (or is that stupid?) to care.
i.imgur.com/QiOdGIo.jpg
Lots of people shoot lots of arrows, but only the man of the moment, Robin, is skilled enough to split the arrow and win the hearts of the throng. Prince John agrees to let Guy deal with the outlaw, as he’s off to London. Marian presents the arrow, the guards are called in and Robin puts up a good fight, but this time, he is captured and taken to Nottingham.
After yet another speech about loyalty to the King from Robin, Guy sentences him to be hanged the next day. Understandably, Marian is upset and persuades Bess to tell her how to get a message to the outlaws.
At the Saracen’s Head Inn, the gang are talking when Marian arrives. They don’t trust her because she’s a Norman but Tuck gives her a chance and she swears she will help. She has a plan.
Cut to the square the next day. Most of the city seems to be there to watch Robin’s star appearance. Our hero is brought in, square-jawed and brave and immediately spots the guys preparing to rescue him (not very conspicuously). They attack, Robin is rescued, there is a big escape scene and everybody’s happy. Except the bad guys.
That night, Marian is in her room discussing love and Robin. And there he is; magically appearing at the window. He is apparently there to ‘thank’ her. She denies that she’s in love with him even when he says he’s in love with her. He teases her and pretends to leave, so she admits it (didn’t take much). There’s a big kiss and a flourish of music. He asks her to marry him and go to Sherwood with him. Oddly enough, she says no, she wants to stay in the castle and spy on the bad guys for him. There’s another kiss which is interrupted by footsteps outside. It is Guy who goes away again (odd). Robin kisses Marian goodbye twice and climbs down the ivy.
i.imgur.com/VnUhjgs.jpg
At the Kent Road Tavern a mysterious group of hooded men is gathered to eat. The Bishop of the Black Canon turns up blustering about Robin Hood. One of the hooded men lets a “sire” slip and the Bishop twigs and suddenly decides to leave. The Bishop goes and tells Prince John that Richard is back and they plot to murder him. Marian overhears them but they notice her. The next day, John will proclaim himself King.
Marian writes a letter and is about to give it to Bess when Guy and his thugs turns up and arrest her. Bess runs for help.
Marian is accused of treason and after a noble denial of her Norman heritage, she is sentenced to death. Meanwhile, Bess sends Much with a message for Robin. He goes after the assassin first and a watery fight begins in the river and fades out: My God, who won?
Robin is robbin’ (ha, ha) an apparent Abbot and his monks who claim to be loyal to Richard. They are taken in as friends. Will finds Much and takes him to Robin who leaps into action, ordering his men to search for the King. The ‘Abbot’ reveals himself to be Richard (wow). Much tells them about Marian and about John’s plotting but never fear, gentle viewer; Robin has a plan.
The next day, there is a procession heading towards the castle, largely made up of Robin’s outlaws and Richard’s men disguised as monks. In the castle an overconfident John prepares to be declared King as poor Marian languishes in her artistically-lit cell.
i.imgur.com/Kbbdg7q.jpg
Of course, Richard reveals himself to all in the great hall before John can complete his evil plan. There is a big, and I mean BIG , fight scene. The sword fight between Robin and Guy is inevitable but very well staged and really quite exciting in places. Look out for the shadow bit. Finally, Guy tries to play dirty and use a dagger, but Robin is wise to it and manages to kill him. He races to Marian’s cell and frees the lovely lady.
Back in the great hall, the day belongs to Richard and he banishes John from the kingdom for good measure. The King (who had obviously been taking lessons from Robin) gives a stirring speech about sharing the kingdom. He gives Robin a pardon and offers him anything he wants. Being the guy he is, Robin asks for a pardon for the men of Sherwood and for Marian’s hand. Obviously, he gets both. The lovely couple slip away from the crowd and out of the castle amidst much manly cheering.
i.imgur.com/LFOJkLT.jpg
All is well.
Review
The Adventures of Robin Hood is not a film that can be taken seriously; no swashbuckler should be. In fact, most of the people in it don’t seem to be taking it too seriously. Of all the swashbucklers ever made, this is the ultimate: it has it all. There are bright colours, big music, flowery dialogue, hissable bad guys, huge set pieces, great fight scenes and, of course, a hero to be reckoned with. True to tradition, the plot is predictable, the characters are two-dimensional and historical accuracy has been abandoned and left by the wayside. However, all is not lost. Everyone involved is obviously having a great time and everything gels beautifully. You can’t help but get swept along by it.
Errol Flynn was and still is the best of the swashbuckling heroes. He had the looks, the moustache, the manly laugh, the smile, the sword-play and the all important twinkle in the eye that is so vital when delivering ye olde one-liners. He made his living playing these parts and knows exactly what he is doing. His performance is bang-on. I have to admit that it is obviously a performance. The viewer is always aware that this Robin is total make-believe, but the entire film is self-conscious and constructed, so Errol fits the bill completely. Alongside him, he has the best screen partner he ever had; Olivia de Havilland. Not only was she beautiful, but her calm, self-assured grace balanced out Errol’s furious action perfectly. Never was this more effective than in this film. They’re not what you could call electric together, but there was a wonderful chemistry between them; their screen personae set each other off in the best possible way. Robin is brave, reckless, charming and witty. Marian is proud, beautiful, headstrong and intelligent. Together, they were the Fred and Ginger of the swashbucklers.
The supporting cast, however, varies dramatically from one cardboard character to the next. Will is a poor imitation of Robin, Little John is... well... he’s Little John. That’s all he is. Tuck is mildly irritating but little else, and the Sheriff is terrible. Even all those years ago, he couldn’t have been funny. You want him dead, but he doesn’t die and you can’t fail to be disappointed. On the plus side, everyone else is great.
Claude Rains plays the same part he played in Casablanca, except this time he has a royal title and better clothes. He is thoroughly evil, but he knows he’s evil and he’s enjoying it, so the viewer can also enjoy it and laugh with him. Basil Rathbone is quietly threatening, smouldering ominously in a corner. He may on first viewing seem redundant, but he has a certain intriguing quality, simply because he doesn’t talk as much as everyone else. He has poise and mystery, which is always a good combination. And, as an added bonus, he was one of the best swordsmen in the world at the time, so the final duel is wonderful. It doesn’t matter that some of the cast are annoying, because it is Errol’s film and you don’t have to put up with the others much if you don’t like them.
The costumes and the sets are highly inaccurate, but as the titles proudly announce that the film is in Technicolor, we have to put it down to a bit of showing off on the part of the film makers. Also, audiences didn’t seem to mind so much about that kind of thing, as long as it all looked good. That is the thing that must be remembered when watching The Adventures of Robin Hood; it doesn’t matter. More than any other telling of the legend, this is purely and simply entertainment. We laugh when they laugh, we sigh when they kiss, we cheer when they rid England of tyranny. That is what it is all about. I was brought up on these films and I know how to appreciate them, especially when they are as good as this one. Don’t ignore the inconsistencies as you might when watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. You must embrace them, enjoy them and accept them as part of Hollywood history. The film is “based on ancient Robin Hood legends” but is also a legend itself. Long before Arnie, Sly or Jean-Claude started strutting their stuff, the likes of Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and Tyrone Power were buckling their swashes with style, poise and humour.
Well, that’s my self-indulgent diatribe over with; I’m sorry if you disagree. As a fan of this kind of film, I love it, but many won’t. The Adventures of Robin Hood is one of the best, if you like that kind of thing.
Great Lines
Marian: “Why, you speak treason!”
Robin: “Fluently.”
Prince John: “By my faith, but you’re a bold rascal. Robin, I like you.”
Robin: “I’ll organise a revolt. Exact a death for a death. And I’ll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up as freemen and strike a blow for Richard and England.”
Caption: “Soon death became preferable to oppression and the defiant oath became more than a thing of words.”
Marian: “You’re a strange man.”
Robin: “Norman or Saxon, what does it matter? It’s injustice I hate, not the Normans.”
Guy: “He’ll not be so insolent when they’ve stretched his neck.”
Marian: “You taught me then that England is bigger than just Normans and Saxons fighting and hating each other. That it belongs to all of us to live peacefully together, loyal only to Richard and to England.”
Richard: “I further banish from my realm all injustices and oppressions which have burdened my people. And I pray that under my rule, Normans and Saxons alike will share the rights of Englishmen.”
Cast
Robin...Errol Flynn
Marian ...Olivia de Havilland
Guy of Gisburne...Basil Rathbone
Prince John...Claude Rains
Will Scarlet...Patric Knowles
Friar Tuck...Eugene Pallette
Little John...Alan Hale
Sheriff....Melville Cooper
King Richard...Ian Hunter
Bess...Una O’Connor
Much....Herbert Mundin
Bishop of the Black Canons...Montagu Love
Dickon Malbete...Harry Cording
Captain of Archers...Howard Hill
Art Director...Carl Jules Weyl
Music...Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Editor...Ralph Dawson
Screenplay...Norman Reilly Raine, Seton J. Miller
Producer....Henry Blanke
Director(s)....Michael Curtiz, William Keighley