The Adventures of Robin Hood

Plot synopsis:
Richard the Lionheart (Ian Hunter), the King of England, is taken captive in 1191 by Leopold V, Duke of Austria while returning to England. Richard’s treacherous brother Prince John (Claude Rains) usurps the throne and proceeds to oppress the Saxons, raising taxes to secure his own position.
Only the Saxon nobleman Sir Robin of Locksley (Errol Flynn) opposes him. Robin acquires a loyal follower when he saves Much the Miller's Son (Herbert Mundin) from being arrested for poaching by Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone). At Gisbourne's castle, Robin boldly tells Prince John and his followers and a contemptuous Lady Marian Fitzwalter (Olivia DeHavilland) that he will do all in his power to restore Richard to the throne. Robin escapes, despite attempts by John's men to stop him.
Robin and friend Will Scarlet (Patric Knowles) take refuge in Sherwood Forest and recruit Little John (Alan Hale, Sr.), while other men join their growing band, including the rotund Friar Tuck (Eugene Pallette), one of the best swordsmen in all England.
Now known as the outlaw Robin Hood, he binds his men by an oath: to fight for a free England until the return of Richard, to rob the rich and give to the poor, and treat all women with courtesy, "rich or poor, Norman or Saxon." Robin and his band immediately begin guerrilla warfare against Prince John and his minions, systematically killing the Prince's tax collectors, rapists, and any nobleman who abuses his power over the people of his lands.
Robin and his men capture a large party of Normans transporting tax money extorted from the people of England. Among Robin's "guests" are Sir Guy of Gisbourne, the cowardly Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper) and the Lady Marian. At first disdainful of Robin, Marian comes to accept his good intentions and begins to see the reality of Norman brutality. Robin allows the humiliated Sir Guy and the Sheriff to leave Sherwood, telling them that they have Marian's presence to thank for his sparing their lives.
The Sheriff comes up with a cunning scheme to capture Robin by announcing an archery tournament with the prize of a golden arrow to be presented by the Lady Marian, sure that Robin will be unable to resist the challenge. All goes as planned: Robin wins the match, is taken prisoner, and is sentenced to hang.
Marian helps Robin's men rescue Robin, and he later scales a castle wall to thank her. Each pledges their love for each other but Marian declines to leave, believing she can best help the rebellion as a spy by staying where she is.
King Richard and several trusted knights have returned, disguised as monks. At a roadside inn, the Bishop of the Black Canons (Montagu Love) discovers their presence and alerts Prince John and Gisbourne. Dickon Malbete (Harry Cording), a degraded former knight, is given the task of disposing of Richard in return for the restoration of his rank, with Robin's manor and estate to support it.
Marian overhears their plot and writes a note to Robin, but Sir Guy finds it and has her arrested, pending trial and execution. Marian's nurse, Bess (Una O'Connor), romantically involved with Much, sends her paramour to warn Robin. On his way, Much intercepts and kills Dickon, being wounded in the process.
King Richard and his liegemen journey through Sherwood Forest and are soon stopped by Robin and his men. Richard assures him that he is traveling on the King's business; when asked if he supports Richard, the incognito King replies, "I love no man better." He accepts Robin's invitation to eat with him and the Merry Men, and humbly accepts Robin's rebuke of the King for not staying at home to give justice to his people instead of traveling to fight in foreign lands.
Will finds the injured Much, who tells Robin of Marian's peril and that Richard is now in England. Robin orders a thorough search to find Richard and bring him to Robin for safety. Now certain of Robin's loyalty, Richard reveals himself to the outlaws.
Robin devises a plan to sneak his men into Nottingham Castle. He coerces the Bishop of the Black Canons to include his men, disguised as monks, in his entourage. During John's coronation in the great hall, Richard reveals himself to the assembled nobles to their shock, and a huge melee breaks out between the outlaws and the noblemen who support John. Robin and Sir Guy engage in a prolonged swordfight, ending with Gisbourne's death. Robin releases Marian from her prison cell and Prince John's men, defeated, throw down their swords, shields, and banners in token of surrender.
Richard exiles John and his followers for his lifetime and pardons the outlaws. He elevates Robin Hood to be Baron of Locksley and Earl of Sherwood and Nottingham, and commands that Robin marry the Lady Marian. With Marian by his side, from across the great hall Robin replies with enthusiasm, "May I obey all your commands with equal pleasure, Sire!"

Tags: good versus evil, action, murder, historical fiction

Review:
But several years back she attended a revival of both The Adventures of Robin Hood and Dodge City two very different type films she did with Errol Flynn.As she watched it she saw the reverence and respect the audience had for both of these classics.
Michael Curtiz received only a single Academy Award for directing the best of wartime espionage movies "Casablanca" but made great classics like "Captain Blood", "The Charge of the Light Brigade", "The Sea Hawk" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood," orchestrating enthusiastically great stars and skilled technicians...
He refined with charm and elegance plot and character with fluid camera movement and exquisite lightning, mixing action with peculiar sense of humor capturing with brilliant photography the natural look of Sherwood Forest, the cool tones of Nottingham Castle and the inn at Luton with its crackling fireplace...The film had great marvelous scenes: When Robin decides to tackle with a staff Little John (Alan Hale); Robin's swordsplay with the gallant Friar Tuck (Eugene Palette); Robin and his Forest outlaws giving a warm welcome to Lady Marian and to the treasure's wagon lead by Sir Guy and the High Sheriff ; The Archery Tournament; Robin's Merry Men entering Nottingham Castle; and the magnificent final duel, with a masterful score, between Robin & Sir Guy...
Olivia De Havilland was a pretty and delicate woman in love with a brave and reckless outlaw...Basil Rathbone, superb as the arrogant Sir Guy of Gisbourne, spreads terror by torturing, rivaling Robin for Lady Marian...Claude Rains was the treacherous prince John who orders his Norman knights to oppress the helpless Saxons suffocating them with thefts, and burning their farms...
Errol Flynn,by far gives the most credible performance of the Robin Hood character.He oozes charm and wit,here.This film is a great trip back to a special time in movie making when we didn't need extreme sex and violence to entertain us.Now that I have seen it,this movie definitely goes on my video shelf.If you have children,or if you love to feel like one,as I do,I highly suggest you give this a look.Great film..
From there, he becomes the great outlaw we all know and love, fighting Gisbourne, the bumbling Sheriff and Prince John anyway which way he can and sweeps that adorable sweetie pie Maid Marion off her feet.Sure the costumes may look fake today and the film itself overly colorful, but it's still a fun time.
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.
Possibly the greatest (and most celebrated) of swashbucklers, it's also the best Robin Hood film (once again improving on Douglas Fairbanks' already impressive Silent version) and Errol Flynn's finest hour: delightful script (not only providing several great lines for the actors to sink their teeth into - Claude Rains' Prince John in particular - but it's put in the service of a plot which remains absorbing despite its over-familiarity), beautiful three-color cinematography (by no less than three top-notch cameramen!) and costumes, an outstanding and Oscar-winning Erich Wolfgang Korngold score (he virtually composed all of Flynn's swashbucklers and some of the best Warner Bros.
films from this period), expansive sets (Hollywood credibly standing in for 12th century England - Carl Jules Weyl's art direction receiving another Oscar, with a third going to Ralph Dawson's exciting editing).It might well be the epitome of Hollywood entertainment during its golden era with the colorful legendary characters - all flawlessly enacted by one of the best casts ever brought together for one film - supplying comedy (and not just that involving Una O'Connor and Herbert Mundin, which I didn't find as icky as I remembered it!), drama and romance (Flynn and Olivia De Havilland's Maid Marian not only are cinema's last word on this famous fictional couple, but their pairing here also proved to be the highpoint of their lengthy on-screen collaboration which stretched to 8 films); not forgetting, of course, countless unforgettable and stirring action scenes: the ambush in Sherwood Forest, the contest for the Golden Arrow, Robin's escape from the gallows, the final storming of the castle (highlighted by one of the best-remembered duels ever to grace the silver screen between Flynn and Basil Rathbone's Guy of Gisbourne), etc.
Needless to say, there have been scores of films about this popular character and, going by the IMDb, apart from the afore-mentioned 1922 Douglas Fairbanks ROBIN HOOD, I've also watched the following: THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRIE MEN (1952; a live-action Walt Disney version), SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST (1960; a Hammer Films effort directed by Terence Fisher and co-starring Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham!), ROBIN HOOD (1973; the Disney animated feature), ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976), ROBIN HOOD (1991; TV) and ROBIN HOOD - PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991).
I have seen this film so many times over the years, having been introduced to it when I was about 10 by my grandfather, who was a true classic movie fan and grew up watching Errol Flynn on screen.I have also seen the Kevin Costner version, which although entertaining in its own way mostly thanks to the amazing Alan Rickman, pales in comparison to this version.
In 13th century England , dashing Robin (Errol Flynn) and his band of marauders confront corruption of wicked Guy Gisbourne ( Basil Rathbone at his evil best ) and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power , foiling evil Prince John ( arguably Claude Rain's greatest character).
When the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence , a Saxon archer named Robin Hood ( Errol Flynn at his swashbuckling best ) fights back as the outlaw leader of a rebel guerrilla army .
The legendary Sherwood forest's hero Robin Locksly again and Lady Marian (lovely Maid Olivia De Havilland) along with his Merrie men brought by him : Will Scarlett (Patrick Knowles) , Friar Tuck (Eugene Palette) and Little John (Alan Hale).
Musical score , settings , cinematography , great performances abound , all of them help place this classic movie the very best adventure film .
The score, made much of on the DVD case, and an Oscar winner at the 11th Oscars, is bombastic, repetitive and completely at odds with the scenery at least 80% of the time, IMNSHO.That said, the dialog still crackles, the costumes are UNBELIEVABLE and gracefully shot, Olivia de Havilland is stunningly gorgeous, Basil Rathbone is young and evil, Claude Rains plays John as gayer than a go go dancer on Pride day, and Errol Flynn takes effortless het masculinity and a beautiful smile further than it should legally be allowed to go.
In 1938 Australian-born motion-picture actor Errol Flynn won the heart of Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland) and defeated his evil foes as Robin Hood in "The Adventures of Robin Hood", a legendary motion picture about a Saxon knight who steals from the rich and gives to the poor oppressed people of England, based on the well known English medieval legends.
Robin Hood (played by Errol Flynn) fights against the villainous Prince John (Claude Rains), who took control of the kingdom as regent when King Richard (Ian Hunter) was captured in Austria during his return from the Holly Lands after Third Crusade's end .
Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, Melville Cooper (the coward High Sheriff of Nottingham) and Montagu Love (as the Bishob of Black Canons) are simply perfect as villain conspirators and Rathbone displays his great talent in sword fighting in the magnificent final fencing between Gisbourne and Robin Hood which is one of the most famous scenes in cinema's history.
De Havilland is pretty but doesn't make much of an impression as Marion but luckily Robin's merry men are roundly good with fun performances from Pallette, Hale, Knowles and others.Overall this is a great film  not because the story is really deep or the special effects are astounding but simply because it is a really fun (and funny) swashbuckling adventure.
The second Flynn-de-Havilland cinematic fare out of 8, this version of Robin Hood (Flynn)'s tale is chiefly diverted to his romance with Maid Marion (de Havilland), Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Rathbone) assumes the duty as his sworn enemy and he takes this job very seriously, joining the collision with the treacherous Prince John (Claude Rains is a pitch-perfect villain with debonair), declares a Norman war against Saxons.
Michael Curtiz and William Keighley's "Adventures of Robin Hood" is a swashbuckler all right, but it's a little more than that: the film is a time capsule of Hollywood's Golden Age (tainted with emerald brilliance).
There's something so timeless about his crusade, "stealing from the rich to give to the poor" is a rather revolutionary notion, and the film insists in showing the oppression inflicted by despotic and despicable Prince John (Claude Rains as cunning as his Captain Renault but without the warmth), they allow Maid Marian (OIivia de Havilland) to reconsider her opinion about the King and Robin, but it also helps us to free our hearts from any mercy when the villains are shot.
Sure, legends, ancient writings suggest various versions of Robin Hood (even Lionheart's reputation seemed to be closer to Scar than Mufasa) but still, the 1938 version features the definite green-clad Robin Hood, king of the bucolic scenery of Sherwood Forest and leader of the Merrie Men. So many good things depend on this representation: gentle giant Little John (Alan Hale), comic relief Much (Herbert Mundin), Friar Tuck, Prince John, Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone as the perfect nemesis) and buffoonish Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper).
Maybe heroes are tougher to play because the actor has to make them look interesting, Robin Hood isn't just about archery and fights, he's got charm, wit, charisma, even nobility and Errol Flynn knew how to convey these virtues because you could tell he took his role seriously yet had fun playing it, unlike comatose Kevin Costner in "Prince of Thieves" or Russel Crowe as 'Maximus in tights'.
For all it's old-fashioned look, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" still holds up today and is so generous in fun, thrills and colors that it's a school-case of classical film-making and entertainment, a game-changing milestone to content any movie lover..
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.
(Second best is the 1973 animated version).Accurate to the legend of Robin Hood, and starring the ultimate action star, Errol Flynn, this movie is a rollicking adventure.
Pretty much has the story of Robin Hood I remember as a kid, and not some re-envisioned, rebooted, made-up plot.Errol Flynn is great in the lead role - every bit the swashbuckling hero.
Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian, Claude Rains as the evil (and surprisingly camp), Prince John, Alan Hale as Little John, Patric Knowles as Will Scarlett, Eugene Palette as Friar Tuck, Melville Cooper as a weasily Sheriff of Nottingham and of course the real bad guy of the piece The great Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne.I love watching Rathbone in this movie and the final sword fight between him and Flynn is not to be missed.However, for me the real star of this film is the Oscar winning musical score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
In the film history is one Robin Hood and he is Errol Flynn.Olivia de Havilland was a great natural beauty.
The evil and greedy Prince John (Claude Rains), cruel and arrogant Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone), prudent and smart Will Scarlett (Patrick Knowles), funny and determined Friar Tuck (Eugene Palette), fearless Little John (Alan Hale Sr.), brave and clumsy Much (Herbert Mundin), cowardly braggart the High Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper) and my favorite Bess (Una O'Connor) are great.The Adventures of Robin Hood is a perfect blend of adventure action and romantic comedy..
Beginning with the performances, and carrying forward with the script, the set design, the Technicolor camera work, and especially the fantastic Erich Wolfgang Korngold score, "Robin Hood" is one of those older films actually gaining stature over time, as it becomes clearer how much of a miracle it really is.Taking elements of the Robin Hood saga, both from longtime legends and screen treatments like an earlier Douglas Fairbanks Sr. silent film, the scenarists manage to create an upbeat story of wit and pace fully in tune with the merry cast and score.
This is a fantastic movie that can never be bettered by anyone else!I always loved that scene, and, still love it - when Erroll Flynn (Robin Hood) and Alan Hale (Little John) first meet.Movies are great nowadays, and, always have been; but, back in this era, movies seemed to have more magic, for whatever reason.In my childhood I used to watch old classic movies like this with my Dad all the time.
It was studly superstars like Erroll Flynn; Burt Lancaster; Randolph Scott; Gary Cooper; etc., who got me believing that only the most noble, and, toughest guy, got to kiss the beautiful lady...and, I loved that, and, still do.This movie is an epic adventure of a nobleman turned hero/vigilante to help his countrymen, but, it's also a great romance story.The filming, scenery, and, locations in this movie are beautiful, but, Olivia de Havilland is even more beautiful...what a classy lady!The acting and action is great!The swashbuckling-sword-fighting of Erroll Flynn and Basil Rathbone has only been equaled in other 'Flynn' movies, but, never topped!
I continued watching Errol Flynn classics the other night with what may be the best of all his swashbucklers 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'.
Prince John's associates are all evil and conniving, the Sheriff of Nottingham is played for laughs by Melville Cooper, allowing Sir Guy to be the really bad guy that hates Robin Hood.There is too much about this movie to like -- Robin's "Merry Men" are robustly and warmly portrayed by Alan Hale, Patrick Knowles and Eugene Palette as Little John, Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck, respectively.
The very definition of swashbuckler and adventure film, Errol Flynn stars as Robin Hood the saxon who robbed the rich and gave to the poor.
One of the greatest of all swash-bucklers and forever the definitive version of the Robin Hood legend (despite any number of very good subsequent TV and movie adaptations).It just has too much going for it to ever fail, with Flynn in his greatest ever role, De Havilland never lovelier and Rathbone in his element as the wicked Guy of Gisbourne, never mind a great supporting cast including Flynn perennial Alan Hale as Little John, Claude Rains (in a ridiculous red-haired wig) as the evil King John and Eugene Palette as the rough, gruff but amiable Friar Tuck.
If there is any film that Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland will be remembered for as screen partners, it's THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.
Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone make a memorable pair of villains and the remarkable cast includes sterling performances from Melville Cooper, Ian Hunter, Una O'Connor, Alan Hale, Eugene Palette, Montagu Love and Patric Knowles.It's a fairytale version all done up in gleaming Technicolor, the action and romance made even more impressive by Korngold's exquisite Oscar-winning score.
Errol Flynn (as Robin Hood), Olivia de Havilland (as Lady Marion Fitzwalter), Basil Rathbone (as Sir Guy of Gisbourne), Claude Rains (as Prince John), Patric Knowles (as Will Starlett) and Eugene Palette (as Friar Tuck) head up a great cast.
********* The Adventures of Robin Hood (5/13/38) Michael Curtiz ~ Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Alan Hale.
where to start?this is one terrific movie.it's funny,has good characters and dialogue.it's also action packed.true,many of the fighting scenes seems a bit corny,but that's probably how they fought back then.back then,they really had to act,unlike today,where some special effect can distract the viewer,so the actor isn't the main focus.also,this was 1938,and talking pictures hadn't brr around that long.many actors were used to the style of acting in the silent films and just carried that over to the talkies.as for the DVD itself,it has been beautifully restored.the picture is cleans sharp and crisp.anyway,for me "The Adventures of Robin hood is a 10/10.
The Adventures of Robin Hood has endured for years and is more popular today than ever before, but the credit not only goes to the casting of Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavalland and others in the cast, but the direction and mostly the musical score, but more on that later.Every second; every foot; and every scene is used to its best advantage which is the reason that there is no dull moment and the the pace is fast and enjoyable.
Olivia de Havilland is a beautiful Maid Marian; Claude Rains a wily & sly Prince John; Basil Rathbone as Guy of Gisbourne is the flip side to Robin, a picture of athletic evil; Alan Hale & Eugene Pallette are just right as Little John & Friar Tuck (their American accents are, surprisingly, no problem); Ian Hunter, Melville Cooper, Patric Knowles & Una O'Connor all offer colorful support.
Whatever the case, I can't knock the movie: it looks great, Flynn is an appropriate choice to play Robin Hood, it's a classic old-fashioned adventure story and still holds up well today, and please watch this on the restored DVD to see it "in all it's glory," as one critic put it.
In short, The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn is probably the best movie of all time.