A Saxon noble leads a gang of rebels as they fight to protect the poor and downtrodden from the oppressive Prince John and the Norman Lords.
ACTION
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The Adventures
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I've spent years complaining and searching for the definitive Robin Hood movie, never realizing that it had already been made over eighty years ago. 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood is the most complete version of the classic English tale ever made. It's thrilling, adventurous, action-packed, well-acted, and leagues more entertaining than any Robin Hood movie made in the past twenty years. And a lot of that is owed to the unparalleled screen presence of Errol Flynn and Michael Curtiz's willingness to actually follow the story and adapt it as is, without adding his extra two cents like everyone else who made their version.
We all know some version of this classic story. After King Richard (Hunter) leaves to fight the Crusades, his traitorous brother Prince John (Rains) takes the throne and taxes the poor. In an effort to save the downtrodden, Sir Robin of Locksley (Flynn) leads a gang of rebels to challenge John's rule and preserve Richard's throne. It's a tale that's been told again and again, but never this good. Flynn's charisma is electric, and his chemistry with the gorgeous and talented Olivia de Haviland is flawless. But this movie gives nearly every character of the legend some time to shine, allowing Maid Marian (de Haviland) time to develop into a fully-fledged character and giving Robin a worthy opponent in Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Rathbone). The Adventures of Robin Hood is a relic of old Hollywood that needs to be dusted off and put back into view for the world to see. It's a timeless classic that gave us the Robin Hood movie we needed, and because it's since been overshadowed by the Costner version and the Disney version and so forth, it's been forgotten by modern movie fans. But you heard it here, folks. If you're like me, and you've been on the hunt for the best version of this story, look no further. They made it in 1938. |