223. The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Directors: Michael Curtiz & William Keighley

Starring: Errol Flynn

Olivia de Havilland

Claude Rains

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 7.5

"I'll organize revolt, exact a death for a death, and I'll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand free men and strike a blow for Richard and England."

When King Richard of England is taken prisoner, his brother Prince John (Claude Rains) decides to take control of England. John raises the taxes on all of the commoners in order to raise the ransom for Richard's release. Although, he intends on using the fortunes to secure his own place on England's throne. Upon hearing of this, Robin Earl of Locksley (Errol Flynn) goes to the castle of John, and informs him that he will stop at nothing to get King Richard back to his rightful throne. Robin then bands together a group of outcasts and misfits, that he calls his Merry Men, to help him accomplish his goal. An early encounter with Prince John's ally Gisbourne, brings the lovely Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland) back into Robin's life. Even though their first meeting didn't go well, soon the two see the attractions toward each other growing. With the assistance of Marian and his Merry Men, Robin sets out on an adventure to return King Richard to the command of England.

While watching The Adventures of Robin Hood you have to keep in mind that the film was made some seventy years ago. The fight scenes are not epic battles, rather well choreographed dance sequences. As unrealistic as that might be, it somehow works magnificently. This film never really takes itself too seriously and is a great deal of fun. Errol Flynn is more charming than heroic, in the performance that has defined his career, as well as the character of Robin Hood. The film might not be packed full of action like most of the adventure films of today, but it's story still holds up just as well as it did when it first came out.

The Adventures of Robin Hood paved the way for many of Hollywood's classic action-adventure films. The most obvious comparison that I picked up on, were the similarities between Robin Hood and Indiana Jones. They were both wise-cracking heroes, who's ability to fall into trouble seemed almost inevitable. Also, both men were rarely seen without their signature weapons, a bow for Robin and a whip for Indiana. The way that they handled women was strikingly similar as well. They might seem debonair and arrogant at the start, but the soften up as time goes on. Without a hero like Robin Hood, the Jack Sparrow's and Indiana Jones' of the cinema world might have never existed.

With a film like The Adventures of Robin Hood, we are taken on one of the cinema's greatest and most amusing adventures. The spirit of Robin Hood's quest for the right thing, through morally wrong avenues, is blatantly apparent here. It's fight scenes might seem a little unrealistic and dated, but with a film that is more about the fun than the fight, it all plays out well. This is one of those films that you just can't go wrong with. A good time for yourself, if not your whole family indeed.