Robin Hood (1922)

Wonderful Movie

That was an excellent one.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

...and may never want to see it again.My biggest problem with the movie was the strange pace. In the beginning, before the Earl of Huntingdon becomes Robin Hood, things move as slowly as a snail. The movie is just over two hours long and could have been much shorter. For example, it opens with a long jousting tournament that could have been completely removed. But after Huntingdon goes AWOL on King Richard's Crusades (which are disturbingly glorified in this movie) to protect England from the tyranny of evil Prince John and adopts the alias Robin Hood, things suddenly start moving at break-neck speed.Douglas Fairbanks shines in this film, creating a Robin Hood with surprising heart and humanity for a silent movie. But in a movie that was a big-budget blockbuster for the 1920s, Fairbanks's star is often eclipsed by needless pageantry, as well as by his own less-talented co-stars, particularly Wallace Beery as King Richard, the so-called "lion hearted" king who spends most of the movie laughing. He laughs when he sees that Earl of Huntingdon (Robin Hood) is scared of women, he laughs when he defeats the Muslims in the Crusades, he laughs when he discovers that Robin Hood is Huntingdon is disguise, and he laughs as he tries to barge in on Robin and Marian's wedding night in the final scene. Before long, you'll be wondering why the heck everyone in Nottingham reveres this guy, or you'll be asking the question I heard someone sitting near me in the theater whisper: "What is so funny, anyway?" Enid Bennett, playing Lady Marian, seems like a good actress, but it is hard to tell, as she's given little more to do than faint whenever a fight starts and wake up once the action's over. Her romance with Robin Hood, however, is definitely worth watching. My favorite scene in the whole movie was their first kiss: When Robin leans in toward her, she modestly turns away, and he settles with kissing the hem of her sleeve instead.

Fantastic production design which set the standard, and still probably does for Medieval epics. The Castle Fairbanks had constructed stone by stone, the costumes and the literal "cast of thousands" in the opening hour are second to none. Great attention to detail. The story itself however is half and half. Fairbanks was a great choice to play Robin Hood, it's just too bad we don't get to see him swing into action as the bandit of Sherwood until after a long, drawn-out first half concerning King Richard and Huntingdon (Robin) heading off for the Crusades. There is just too much time spent setting up how/why Huntingdon becomes Robin Hood to make it enjoyable as a purely Robin Hood movie. Errol Flynn's version improved on it by a mile in 1938, leaving out the fat and concerning itself only with Robin's adventures in Sherwood, and adding more heart and humor if not replicating the grand scale of pageantry depicted in this version.Providing a link between both films, of course, is Alan Hale Sr. playing Little John. Again, his most preferable portrayal is in the '38 version. As far as other cast members, Wallace Beery is memorable as King Richard and Sam de Grasse is a perfectly snide Prince John. The other cast members are adequate enough.The DVD edition of this film provides a very nice print and is well worth viewing if you enjoy old silents, or are a fan of the Robin Hood legend as I am. Many purists have complained about the musical soundtrack but not being an aesthete of Silent films myself I found it to be not too bad.Not the classic version of Robin Hood on film but still, there are many things to like about it.

Every one in Robin Hood's Merry Band skip every where. They can't walk, they all skip, especially Fairbanks. Can Fairbanks ever enter a room like a normal person? Not until later pictures... A little overly Merry if you ask me, but Wallace Beery is a revelation. Young and Handsome. Totally unexpected. The Special effects photography is nice too. There are many good things in this film, and it's well worth a look, but it does get kind of Fairbanks style hammy. He later took fencing lessons for Black Pirate, but he hadn't bothered here yet. He kind of Whacks at everybody. Alan Hale plays Little John, and did again 16 years later in the Errol Flynn Version.

King Richard leaves for the Holy Land on Crusade, taking with him the flower of England's knighthood. Left behind, his wicked younger brother, Prince John, quickly turns despot & begins to oppress the people. Only the Lionheart's dearest friend, the Earl of Huntingdon, has wits quick enough to thwart John & protect the Kingdom until Richard's return. This he does in disguise as an outlaw, taking the name of ROBIN HOOD.This was Douglas Fairbanks' exciting homage to one of our greatest legends. The film is full of pomp & pageantry and if Fairbanks' style of acting seems to have dated, that does not in the least detract from the pure enjoyment of watching this silent epic. The archaic wording of many of the title cards can be a trifle annoying, but it's important to remember that Fairbanks was trying to impart an authentic medieval flavour to the film.Wallace Beery is a bluff & hearty Richard. Sam De Grasse makes a fine villain as John, while Enid Bennett is lovely as the Lady Marian. Alan Hale plays Little John, a role he would assume again 16 years later in the Errol Flynn version.Huntingdon does not become Robin Hood until more than half the film has passed. Then the action really livens up & Fairbanks is allowed to display some of his best athletic magic. One of the biggest & most impressive sets ever constructed for a silent film - Nottingham Castle - is featured here. Fairbanks does not allow it to dwarf him. He leaps & prances from battlement to balcony, climbing ivied walls & sliding down huge draperies, lithe & active & exuding charm. Just what we expect from Douglas Fairbanks.