The Adventures of Robin Hood
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
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This film has been preserved in the National Film Registry in 1995.
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The Adventures of Robin Hood is a 1938 American Technicolor epic swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Patric Knowles, Eugene Pallette, and Alan Hale. The film is particularly noted for its Academy Award-winning score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
Why It Rocks
- The Adventures of Robin Hood was Warner Bros.' most expensive film to date at the time of its release, and with its wonderous production design (i.e.: the castle sets in particular, with high stone walls and winding staircases, the greatly enhance the romantic, fairy-tale quality. And long shots being used to emphasize the evocative sets and inject grandeur), that's not hard to believe.
- There are few adventure movies as consistently exhilarating as this film, the definitive swashbuckler, as it creates a sense of exuberant joy from beginning to end in every department: story, cast, color, music, costumes and sets, and still appeals to all ages all these years later.
- The script captures the romantic legend of Robin Hood wholeheartedly: robbing the rich to give to the poor, building the band of Merry Men in sunny Sherwood Forest, romancing spirited Maid Marian, and nobly fighting the corrupt forces ruling England, while King Richard the Lion-Heart is off fighting the Crusades. These elements are all presented with vigor and enjoyment, especially with the titular rogue himself.
- Errol Flynn's portrayal of the great Robin Hood is unique, fresh and charismatic enough to make him stand out from Douglas Fairbanks' take in the 1922 silent film. It's gotten to the point where Flynn would be seen as a successor to Fairbanks, and personify a new side of Warner Bros that was completely different from its beginnings. Flynn's effortlessly bodies the heroism the pervades the tale. Projecting athleticism, fighting off hordes of swordsmen while bounding through a castle; tossing off mischievous retorts, and carrying off love scenes with self-confidence
- Olivia de Havilland is flawless as the intelligent and crafty Marian.
- Magnificent supporting cast with Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, Alan Hale, Eugene Pallette, among others. Thanks the their actors' talented performances, villains such as Prince John, Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and the High Sheriff of Nottingham have satisfying depth, and are vital parts of the movie's success.
- Michael Curtiz injects lots of energy when he directs the interiors and some exteriors, including parts of the archery tournament.
- While previous historical films at the time tended to have dialogue that try to evoke the time period the film's set in -- which didn't always work well, this film has dialogue that sounds more natural.
- On top of Flynn's great stunt work from Errol Flynn during various action moments, there are also a barrage fight scenes where Flynn did his own stunts, including fencing. The final sword fight between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone (as Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne) in particular, is one of the best filmed duels of the era.
- Three-strip Technicolor—in which three film negatives in a single camera capture a shot in separate colors that are later combined—was still relatively new for feature films, but this may be the most spectacular example from the 1930s. The astoundingly vibrant color itself has emotional impact, making every frame exciting and joyful to watch.
- Incredible music score from Erich Wolfgang Korngold, which is considered one of the best of the period, as helps hold the film together through its action, romance, and comedy scenes, keeping the tone consistently enchanting. Thanks to the music, shots of pure pageantry never feel slow, love scenes never become mawkish, and action scenes remain light, even as characters are struck and killed with arrows and swords.
- Even though this was the first Technicolor feature for many people involved, with complicated lighting, costume, and makeup requirements, and overall being the most expensive Warner Bros. film to date at the time, the film still managed to become one of the studio's biggest crowd pleasers.
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