The Adventures Of Robin Hood
A forest full of bountiful bonuses for this winner of 4 Academy Awards!
"One of the few great adventure movies that you can pretend you are treating the kids to when you are really treating yourself. The stuff of which Saturday matinee dreams were made."
-Scott Meek, Time Out Film Guide
All new 65th-anniversary digital transfer from restored picture and audio elements.
Member Reviews
Light And Lively Entertainment - revsdd
There's not a great deal of drama or suspense involved with this movie. How could there be, since almost everyone is familiar with the basic outline of the story of Robin Hood, and the movie - well - tells the basic story. There are a few things that seem a bit out of the norm (especially the fact that the Sheriff of Nottingham is virtually invisible here; Sir Guy of Gisbourne being Robin's only serious adversary) but otherwise it's very familiar. Outraged by Prince John's oppression of the Saxons and (being fiercely loyal to Richard the Lion Hearted) also by John's attempt to usurp the throne, Sir Robert of Locksley becomes an outlaw, and collects a colourful team around him as they battle the Prince's men, all the while waiting for Richard's return from the Crusades.
The movie is technically magnificent - certainly ranking among the best made movies of the 1930's. The sets are wonderful and the costumes are colourful. Errol Flynn put on an excellent performance as Robin Hood, and - as you would expect from any movie starring Errol Flynn - there's a lot of very good swordplay. The supporting cast was also very good. The best was probably Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy, and near the end there's a very exciting "fight to the death" scene between Guy and Robin. The other really good performance was from Claude Rains as Prince John. Rains captured the essential "sliminess" (for lack of a better word) of that very real historical character, widely considered to be one of the worst kings in English history once he succeeded legitimately to the throne. Olivia de Haviland was good as Lady Marian, although the portrayal of the romance between her and Robin seemed a bit forced to me, which I find that typical of movies from this era.
This is light entertainment. It's not riveting, because the story is so familiar, but it's lively and fun.Outstanding!! - ceiliqueen
This was an outstanding movie. I was a bit hesitant to watch a Robin Hood from 1938 as we have been watching the BBC series. I assumed that the old version would be drab and unentertaining in comparison to the current series. Was I ever wrong!! I was continually amazed at the quality of the sets, the exceptional colour and the vivid imagery of this early motion picture. Our entire family enjoyed it. Thank you WB!!Technicolour dream - dmarks36
1938, Robin still stands as bright and entertaining as ever. We are slowly working our way as a family through the classics, introducing our seven year old to a canon of movies. We have yet to be disappointed, and Robin Hood held his attention as much as George Lucas or Pixar. Three generations of seven year old have yet to be disappointed! Watch this technicolour dream.
Member Reviews
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Light And Lively Entertainment - revsdd
There's not a great deal of drama or suspense involved with this movie. How could there be, since almost everyone is familiar with the basic outline of the story of Robin Hood, and the movie - well - tells the basic story. There are a few things that seem ...Outstanding!! - ceiliqueen
This was an outstanding movie. I was a bit hesitant to watch a Robin Hood from 1938 as we have been watching the BBC series. I assumed that the old version would be drab and unentertaining in comparison to the current series. Was I ever wrong!! I was continually ...Technicolour dream - dmarks36
1938, Robin still stands as bright and entertaining as ever. We are slowly working our way as a family through the classics, introducing our seven year old to a canon of movies. We have yet to be disappointed, and Robin Hood held his attention as much as ...