The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Thomas B

  
  The acting may be camp but the legend is forever. Full review later.

• Michael E

  
  interesting and very creative its kind of funny knowing how the actress who played maid maryann in this movie in real life hated Errol Flynn because he was really cocky in real life

• Tim S

  
  When you look back over the number of times that the tale of Robin Hood has been adapted by Hollywood, it equals that of Dracula. But of all the adaptations, one stands heads and tails above the others, Michael Curtiz' original 1938 classic The Adventures of Robin Hood. One of… More
  When you look back over the number of times that the tale of Robin Hood has been adapted by Hollywood, it equals that of Dracula. But of all the adaptations, one stands heads and tails above the others, Michael Curtiz' original 1938 classic The Adventures of Robin Hood. One of the things that makes this film so special is the handsome and dashing Errol Flynn as Robin Hood himself. His wholesome and heroic take on the character is as fresh as it was 70 years ago. Olivia de Havilland is just breath-taking as Marian, Basil Rathbone is menacing as Sir Guy and Claude Rains is great as always as Prince John. The whole cast, including the supporting roles, really shine here. It may be worthy to note that in most of latter adaptations, the characters of Sir Guy and the Sheriff of Nottingham were peeled down and combined to form the character of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Here we're given these characters as they were originally intended, the evil Sir Guy and the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham. The Adventures of Robin Hood was one of the first films to use the new process of filming and processing called Technicolor, making the movie just gorgeous to behold. Greens, blues and reds are stark and rich with detail. Skin tone is also very strong, not orange like other contemporaries. The camera work in the film is also quite extraordinary. Of course everyone always points to the sword fighting scene where the actors go out of frame and we follow their shadows as they continue fighting, but I also enjoyed the steadycam shot that flows through crowd prior to Robin's execution to reveal the gallows. Needless to say, there is a lot going on visually in this movie. The score is pretty phenomenal, as well. A very lush and storybook-style score from the wonderful Erich Wolfgang Korngold, it carries the film so well that it would be hard to imagine it without it. I guess you can tell that I really love this movie and I'd watch it anytime. It may be old school, but it's THE best Robin Hood story ever told. It's got that swash-buckling charm that make modern classics like the Pirates of the Caribbean series and The Count of Monte Cristo so much fun. In conclusion, age doesn't matter, and The Adventures of Robin Hood is timeless.

• AJ V

  
  First of all, Hooray for Technicolor! With that said, I love the story of Robin Hood, and I liked this movie. The movie doesn't do anything differently with the story, but It's got a great cast: Flynn, Rathbone, De Havilland, Rains, Hale... Plus, a good director, Michael… More
  First of all, Hooray for Technicolor! With that said, I love the story of Robin Hood, and I liked this movie. The movie doesn't do anything differently with the story, but It's got a great cast: Flynn, Rathbone, De Havilland, Rains, Hale... Plus, a good director, Michael Curtiz (Casablanca). And did I mention the Technicolor?! Yes, it's just another Robin Hood movie, but I enjoyed it.

• Michael G

  
  The Adventures of Robin Hood is easily one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in my entire life. Errol Flynn is living proof that it is indeed possible to wear tights and be absolutely badass. The cast is superb and the dialogue is full of the wittiest of banter and Olivia… More
  The Adventures of Robin Hood is easily one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in my entire life. Errol Flynn is living proof that it is indeed possible to wear tights and be absolutely badass. The cast is superb and the dialogue is full of the wittiest of banter and Olivia de Havilland. Oh, Olivia de Havilland...! I was also surprised at how well done the action was. Sure the sword fights had to have been sped up but they were fun all the same.Any notions I was entertaining of watching the Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe version have just been blown out the window. Errol Flynn is it...

• Spencer S

  
  For one thing, the film was authentic, and definitely a crowd pleaser. Errol Flynn, in all his Australian glory, and Olivia de Havilland, in her vulnerable state (much like Gone with the Wind) were the perfect pairing.

• danny d

  
  one of the great classics of the entire decade. this film sets the standard for adventure films, with great set designs for such an early film. although the costumes dont hold up by todays standards, the film uses color and dialogue to set the mood of the story. a classic that all… More
  one of the great classics of the entire decade. this film sets the standard for adventure films, with great set designs for such an early film. although the costumes dont hold up by todays standards, the film uses color and dialogue to set the mood of the story. a classic that all should see.

• Martin B

  
  Undoubtedly fun and light-hearted with plenty of action, yet definitely dated and cheesy. The sillly costumes, over-acting, and fight choreography are simply victims of their era, so while they do detract from the film, you tend to forgive these aspects. Still, it's a fun… More
  Undoubtedly fun and light-hearted with plenty of action, yet definitely dated and cheesy. The sillly costumes, over-acting, and fight choreography are simply victims of their era, so while they do detract from the film, you tend to forgive these aspects. Still, it's a fun flick, and I think well ahead of its time in many ways. I would love to see what a modern version of Robin Hood portrayed like this - cocky, light-hearted, and heroic - could be, rather than another dark, gritty, "realistic" remake. Though in this version they take it a bit TOO light, with far too much laughter and silly grins.

• First L

  
  Errol Flynn stars in his signature role as Sir Robin of Locksley, one of the few knights loyal to King Richard, who while off fighting the crusades, leaves England in the hands of his treacherous brother, prince John. When Richard is captured and held for ransom, prince John levies a… More
  Errol Flynn stars in his signature role as Sir Robin of Locksley, one of the few knights loyal to King Richard, who while off fighting the crusades, leaves England in the hands of his treacherous brother, prince John. When Richard is captured and held for ransom, prince John levies a tax against the downtrodden saxons, while Sir Guy (Basil Rathbone) and the other upper-class normans pushes for further punishments and cruelty against them. It's all the noble Robin can stand. Soon, he gathers a band (of merry men) to launch a sort of guerrilla warfare against the normans and Sir Guy. Everything about this production, from the acting and directing to the sets and costumes, is topnotch excellence from the classic era of hollywood. This version of Robin Hood would go onto define how we see Robin and his band of merry men for all time. It's the kind of movie that inspires kids of all ages (and if your kids don't seem interested, just tell them it's one of the original "superhero" movies). The Adventures of Robin Hood is a big, rollicking adventure of brightly colored fun.

• Conner R

  
  Honestly, this is the best version of Robin Hood ever without debate. It is a complete masterpiece, everything from the story to the acting is flawless. The look of it is also one of my favorite aspects, the castles and design is still breathtaking. Errol Flynn is everything you want… More
  Honestly, this is the best version of Robin Hood ever without debate. It is a complete masterpiece, everything from the story to the acting is flawless. The look of it is also one of my favorite aspects, the castles and design is still breathtaking. Errol Flynn is everything you want in a hero and I could watch him as Robin Hood without ever getting tired.

• William D

  
  One of the films that "You Can't Take It With You" beat for Best Picture in 1938 was "The Adventures of Robin Hood," starring the dashing and vigorous Australian Errol Flynn. (Hugh Jackman is picking up where Errol Flynn left off!) This is the second in my… More
  One of the films that "You Can't Take It With You" beat for Best Picture in 1938 was "The Adventures of Robin Hood," starring the dashing and vigorous Australian Errol Flynn. (Hugh Jackman is picking up where Errol Flynn left off!) This is the second in my survey of 1938 Oscar films, after "You Can't Take It With You." I certainly would have voted for Robin Hood over You Can't Take It, but Robin Hood was no masterpiece either. It's vastly more crisp than You Can't Take It, due to the exceptional editing of Ralph Dawson, who won the Editing Oscar that year -- deservedly so. But Robin Hood does not go any deeper than You Can't Take It. Stock characters abound, as do shallow plot developments and B-film dialogue. The Technicolor is beautiful, and the art director took full advantage of it by providing a gorgeous explosion of color. (No surprise that Robin Hood also took the Oscar for Art Direction that year.) But a gorgeous look does not a film make. Nor does a smashing leading man. He needs great dialogue and a complex story to bring to life. Here Mr. Flynn and his great supporting actress Olivia de Havilland are given a story that's not much more than a long Hallmark greeting card. They bring it to life with aplomb, humor and sensuality, but a shallow story is a shallow story. I have to see more of the films from 1938, but at this point I am sensing that this was simply a mediocre year for American film, certainly compared to 1939, when the Best Picture slate included, among others, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, and Wuthering Heights. Now that's a Best Picture slate! Interesting tidbits on the director: Michael Curtiz co-directed Robin Hood but did not get an Oscar nomination for it. He was nominated that year, however, for not one but two other films: "Angels with Dirty Faces" (starring Jimmy Cagney) and "Four Daughters" (John Garfield's first film). Three movies in one year is hard to believe. But that's not all. Curtiz actually directed two more films that year: "Four's a Crowd" and "Gold Is Where You Find It." Five films in one year! This says a lot about the assembly-line approach to movie production at the time. No wonder the stories were mostly crap and the stars were all addicted to speed. One more note on Curtiz: A few years later, he got his one and only Best Director Oscar, for "Casablanca." A few years after that, he directed "Mildred Pierce," which earned Joan Crawford her one and only Oscar. It's odd that I've never heard Curtiz discussed as a legendary director. He clearly should be more of a household name.

• Phil H

  
  The greatest Flynn swashbuckler?? yes. Its got the lot, a princess, sword fights, dashing heroes, evil baddies, great battles and a happy ending. The whole thing looks gorgeous, the colour like all oldies is great in Technicolour and the cast, again, like all oldies is perfect, Rains,… More
  The greatest Flynn swashbuckler?? yes. Its got the lot, a princess, sword fights, dashing heroes, evil baddies, great battles and a happy ending. The whole thing looks gorgeous, the colour like all oldies is great in Technicolour and the cast, again, like all oldies is perfect, Rains, Rathbone, Knowles, Hale, Havilland, Pallette etc..its pure gold in every sense and deserves to be remembered forever. Love the costumes and their bright vivid designs and crests, the excellent matte paintings used for Nottingham castle and with dare devil stuns without the use of cgi nonsense this is the best Robin Hood flick made period. The archery tornament also highlights more of the grand scale of things when in production, its a rainbow of colours and beautiful designs in every field from the Norman troops to the fair ladies in the background, its all perfect, and lets not forget Howard Hill and his amazing arrow shooting talents hehe they actually did shoot the actors in this film haha Warner Bros were THE studio of the time and they knew how to make a rollocking good sweeping action epic, plus they had the men to direct them to, Curtiz being the best of the best for constant hits. The recent Bluray enchances this to beyond greatness, stunning, Errol's earlier work but probably his best.

• Luke B

  
  A fun and exciting afternoon adventure but unfortunately not much else. Flynn is great as a confident and cocky Robin Hood but he soon becomes annoying. Perhaps I just never liked Robin Hood as a character, here he is even more evil than normal. He promises to kill one man for every… More
  A fun and exciting afternoon adventure but unfortunately not much else. Flynn is great as a confident and cocky Robin Hood but he soon becomes annoying. Perhaps I just never liked Robin Hood as a character, here he is even more evil than normal. He promises to kill one man for every Saxon killed. He doesn't do this with hate or contempt in his voice, nor do the deaths weigh on his mind. Instead he smiles politely as he makes this statement. Rathbone is the real star, his coolness lending itself well to his Guy of Gisbourne. It is also dated, with the costumes just being camp, sets often not being convincing and the fights hardly threatening. Perhaps it's because the film has been elevated to "classic" status when in my opinion it never should be remembered as a swashbuckling, matinée romp.

• moon r

  
  hasn't been touched yet, particularly by film lovers, as one of the classic films of all times. watchable? that's how i judge film :"can you watch it again w/o a emergency lobotomy?" this film eats that test, and your brains, cause you wanna live in england… More
  hasn't been touched yet, particularly by film lovers, as one of the classic films of all times. watchable? that's how i judge film :"can you watch it again w/o a emergency lobotomy?" this film eats that test, and your brains, cause you wanna live in england after watching it, wanna run around the woods and swordfight invaders, wanna go and save the girl, and want her to want you to... the swordfight on the staircase between errol flynn and basil rathbone is THE definitive film swordfight.

• Jennifer X

  
  This is fun. Errol Flynn is delightfully roguish and oh-so-charming.

• Ken S

  
  My favorite swashbuckler...only Errol Flynn could make tights cool

• Dean M

  
  Amazing romance and swashbuckling adventure movie made in 1938. Errol Flynn was incredible as the outlaw who bests the wicked Sherriff of Nottingham played with sinister grace by Basil Rathbone and wins the love and hand of Maid Marian played with wide-eyed appeal by Olivia de… More
  Amazing romance and swashbuckling adventure movie made in 1938. Errol Flynn was incredible as the outlaw who bests the wicked Sherriff of Nottingham played with sinister grace by Basil Rathbone and wins the love and hand of Maid Marian played with wide-eyed appeal by Olivia de Havilland.

• xGary X

  
  Hugely enjoyable rip-roaring swashbuckler from the old school. No post-modernism, no deconstructions, just goodie vs. baddie in a classic medieval romp.

• Matthew Y

  
  The quintessential Robin Hood film, when you think of Robin Hood you think of the one from The Adventures of Robin Hood. Telling the fable of the thief who robs from the rich and gives to the poor in all its original glory the movie showcases great technicolor-cinematography that… More
  The quintessential Robin Hood film, when you think of Robin Hood you think of the one from The Adventures of Robin Hood. Telling the fable of the thief who robs from the rich and gives to the poor in all its original glory the movie showcases great technicolor-cinematography that works masterfully with the film. Technicolor has always looked very "painted" but for Robin Hood it makes the film look like a book illustration and the characters look more colorful and dream-esc. With all the major characters (Maid Marian, Prince John, Friar Tuck, Little John, Sheriff of Nottingham, Richard the Lionheart, etc.) and all the major events (Splitting the arrow, storming the castle, Robin Hoods bridge battle with Little John, etc.) this is a grand family film that will continue to be enjoyed for ages.

• Chris B

  
  What a Classic and wonderful adaptation of Robin Hood. I've seen every adaptation except this and boy what a mistake on my part. I think many would agree that this is the best of the Robin Hood films even through to 2011! A great time with classic characters and performances… More
  What a Classic and wonderful adaptation of Robin Hood. I've seen every adaptation except this and boy what a mistake on my part. I think many would agree that this is the best of the Robin Hood films even through to 2011! A great time with classic characters and performances from the actors that so fittingly portray them! The Adventures of Robin Hood begins after Robin is already an outlaw but Maid Marian is still one of Prince John's followers. We are treated to several scenes that had never made it into earlier films of Robin Hood, including Robin's fight with Little John and the introduction of Friar Tuck and the river scene involving a piggy back ride. Highly Highly Recommended if you like Robin Hood at all, it will become something special to you once you have watched it!

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