I first saw this film as a child years ago on TV and I have it on DVD, but I’d never seen it on the big screen. I’ve always been of huge fan of Errol Flynn, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see this film on the bog screen when out local movie theatre elected to show this classic.
Richard the Lion-Heart has gone off to fight in the Crusades and left his kingdom under the care of a regent. But Prince John ousts the king’s appointed regent and sets himself up as regent, inflicting unfair taxes on the Saxon people and inciting a reign of cruelty and terror.
Enter Sir Robin of Locksley, played by Errol Flynn, who decides to right the wrongs of Prince John played by Claude Rains and his henchman Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Robin becomes an outlaw living in Sherwood Forest with his band of loyal men, which includes Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlett. Together they rescue the oppressed and rob the rich only to give the poor and needy.
The finest archer in England Robin Hood, as he is now known, executes his own brand of justice marked by a black arrow. Attempts to catch him fail until the wily but cowardly Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Melville Cooper, devises a plan to capture Robin Hood by running an archery contest. Of course Robin can’t resist attending, especially when the prize is being awarded by Maid Marian, the Norman beauty with home he has fallen in love. Olivia De Havilland is a dewy eyed Maid Marian, who helps his men in the rescue of Robin.
Over the years there have been numerous remakes of the Robin Hood story in film and TV shows and many men have played the Robin Hood role, but none with the panache, boldness, daring and cheek of Errol Flynn. For my money there is only one Robin Hood and Errol Flynn was it. Basil Rathbone was great foil as the villainous Guy of Gisbourne and the sword fight scene between them is excellent, especially effective watching the shadows fight.
On the day I attended, spontaneous clapping from the audience erupted at the end of the movie. However I was interested to know what young man, possibly in his twenties, and who came on his own thought of the film. ‘I loved it, absolutely loved it. It was great’ he said. That enthusiasm showed in his face. It seems the romance of the sword fighting Robin Hood played by Errol Flynn has not lost its appeal for today’s audience.
This film carries a PG rating.
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