The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Strong and Moving!

just watch it!

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Executive producer: Hal B. Wallis. In charge of production: Jack L. Warner. Copyright 14 March 1938 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall, 12 May 1938 (ran 3 weeks). U.S. release: 14 May 1938. Australian release: 15 September 1938. 11 reels. 9,177 feet. 102 minutes. (Available on a superb Warner DVD). SYNOPSIS: England, 1194. Loyal "outlaw" defeats the ambitions of usurping Prince John.NOTES: "Unfortunately, the action scenes were ineffective, and I was forced to replace the director in mid-production. I felt that only Mike Curtiz could give the picture the color and scope it needed. Why hadn't we used him in the first place? Errol wanted Keighley (who had directed him in The Prince and The Pauper)." — Hal B. Wallis.Dawson, Weyl and Korngold all won awards in their various categories. Also nominated for Best Picture (lost to You Can't Take It With You). Number 8 on the New York Times Ten Best list. Number 7 on the Film Daily Ten Best. Shooting commenced 27 September 1937, finished 15 January 1938. Negative cost: $1,900,000.COMMENT: We can be thankful that Warners saw the error of their ways. Fortunately, there is far more Curtiz than Keighley in the picture. It starts off with Curtiz in the great castle confrontation between Flynn and Rains and then goes into the weaker Keighley stuff in which Una O'Connor is allowed to put on her usual tiresome antics as Maid Marian's maid and Herbert Mundin is encouraged to overact atrociously.Olivia de Havilland is also extremely wet — a fact that Keighley seems to have realized. He asked the photographer to give her some extra allure by soft lensing her reaction shots. Patric Knowles is likewise a far too colorless a Will Scarlett, and even Rathbone seems somewhat bland in the Keighley segments. He's much more powerful under Curtiz where he really delivers his lines with as much relish as he wields his sword. What a shame Curtiz wasn't permitted to re-shoot more of the Keighley material! Richard is weak too, while Littlejohn and Friar Tuck are also disappointing — Curtiz would have given them far greater impact. But Flynn is always perfect — a dashing Robin Hood whom it takes no less than three villains to balance: Rathbone as the fastest swordsman in the north, deliciously blustering Melville Cooper, sublimely egocentric Claude Rains. Fed with some marvelous lines, these three are absolutely admirable in nastiness. As for all the action with its stupendous climactic duel between Flynn and Rathbone, plus the sumptuous music score, the gorgeous sets, pacey film editing, exuberant color . . . Robin Hood is simply unbeatable.

In 1191, King Richard (Ian Hunter) joined the Crusades and then he is captured by the Duke of Austria. His ambitious and evil brother Prince John (Claude Rains) takes over the throne and oppress the Saxons increasing the taxes and hanging those that cannot afford to pay. The Saxon nobleman Robin of Locksley (Errol Flynn) hides in the Sherwood Forest and defends the people against the tyrannic John and his right hand Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone) and is considered outlaw. When he meets Lady Marian (Olivia de Havilland), they immediately fall in love with each other. But Robin Hood and his men are hunted down by Sir Guy and the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper)."The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a nostalgic and delightful adventure, in a naive version of the outlaw hero. It certainly is one of the most delightful adventures ever made in Hollywood. Errol Flynn is amazing in the role of the cynical outlaw Robin Hood and Olivia de Havillnd shows a perfect chemistry. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" should be mandatory for the youngest generations to see how to make a wonderful film without CGI. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "As Aventuras de Robin Hood" ("The Adventures of Robin Hood")

I love the movies, ever since I was a kid who idolized the great William Boyd as 'Hopalong Cassidy', ever since I first saw Bing sing and Fred Astaire dance, I love the great classics like 'Casablanca', or the big epics like 'Gone With the Wind' or 'Ben Hur', I could go on and on, but if I were told I was being sent to a desert island for the rest of my days and could only take one movie, THIS would be it. I agree with another reviewer that it's probably the most perfect movie ever made, beautifully filmed in three stripe Technicolor, flawless script, and most likely the most perfectly cast film ever. Impossibly handsome Errol Flynn in the role he was born to play, if this had been the only film he ever made, he'd still be a Hollywood legend. Gorgeous 21 year old Olivia De Havilland as the sweetest, gentlest Maid Marion of them all, Suave Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains at their dastardly best, all the supporting players from Alan Hale Snr. down to the lowliest bit player all perfectly chosen, one of the greatest musical scores ever, this film ticks not most of the boxes, but all of the boxes. If your a movie lover, and you've never seen this, or, don't have it in your collection, I'm afraid your life has been in vain! There was never a greater example of what the movies are all about, do yourself a favour!

This film is one of my all-time favorites. When my grandparents were dating in the late 1930s- early 1940s, they saw several of Flynn's films in theaters. This is one they spoke most fondly about seeing. As a result, I have seen it many times. Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland simply have some of the best screen chemistry ever. Robin Hood is definitely the role Errol Flynn was born to play, and here he is at his most handsome, athletic, and charming. Additionally, the supporting cast is just superb. Claude Rains manages to come off as both charming and diabolical at the same time, and Basil Rathbone is also great as Sir Guy. A must-see, especially for members of my family!