Synopsis: Lots of jolly japes in Sherwood Forest
Director: Michael Curtiz
Actors: Errol Flynn, Claude Rains, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone
Date: 1938
How viewed: Lovefilm watch online
Rating: 3/5
David Meyer says:
They don't make 'em like this anymore. The only lapse into corniness symbolic of this bygone era occurs when Robin throws his chin into the air and laughs - 'ah-ha-ha-ha-ha..'.
I say:
It's so difficult to judge these old films objectively from today's standpoint. This has all the characters (Little John, Will Scarlett, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, the Sheriff of Nottingham) and all the scenes (Robin fighting Little John on the bridge over the river, falling into the trap of the archery contest, Robin's escape from the gallows, the triumphant return of King Richard) that we know and love, and it's all done with great gusto (especially Flynn showing off his impressive athleticism and sword skills), and some strong messages about the need to help the sick, poor and needy (and for Normans and Saxons (i.e. different countries, races, creeds, etc) to get on together), and the fight scene at the end is very well done. But on the downside, it's weird that all of Robin's Merry Men have identical green tights and brown jerkins, Will Scarlett is an embarrassment, some American accents jar, and generally it's all a bit too easy, too jolly, too predictable.
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