The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)

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Better known as The Story of Robin Hood, this colorful costume adventure was the second made-in-Britain production for Hollywood's Walt Disney. Avoiding the familiar episodes covered in previous "Robin Hood" films, this Disney effort still manages to adhere to the basic chronology. Richard Todd… More Better known as The Story of Robin Hood, this colorful costume adventure was the second made-in-Britain production for Hollywood's Walt Disney. Avoiding the familiar episodes covered in previous "Robin Hood" films, this Disney effort still manages to adhere to the basic chronology. Richard Todd stars as the Earl of Huntington, who loses his title and his lands after besting the despotic Sheriff of Nottingham (Peter Finch) at an archery tournament. Reinventing himself as Robin Hood, our hero rounds up other victims of the oppression of the Sheriff and his dictatorial liege Prince John (Hubert Gregg), and thus the "Merry Men" are born. Robbing the rich to give to the poor, Robin manages to elude the villains and to prove his loyalty to John's brother Richard the Lionhearted (Patrick Barr) by raising the money for Richard's ransom. The Queen (Martita Hunt) is to deliver the ransom to Richard's Austrian captors, but Prince John schemes to steal the money and place the blame on Robin Hood. Maid Marian (Joan Rice) gets wind of this plan but is locked in John's dungeon before she can warn Robin and his men. How can virtue triumph with these odds? But triumph it does, as everyone in the audience knew it would. The success of The Story of Robin Hood inspired Disney to produce two additional British films, The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Ken Annakin
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 26, 1952 Wide

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Pedestrian Disney, basis for TV series with Richard Todd.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

It's not bad, but it was a pointless movie to make. It doesn't improve on Errol Flynn's version at all, in fact it's inferior. I think it's a little bit more kid friendly, but that's about it. The acting was so-so and the story flows about as good as it… More
It's not bad, but it was a pointless movie to make. It doesn't improve on Errol Flynn's version at all, in fact it's inferior. I think it's a little bit more kid friendly, but that's about it. The acting was so-so and the story flows about as good as it can. Overall, it's better than the Kevin Costner version, but that's something not too hard to achieve.
Kyle S

One of the best renditions of the Robin Hood Legend, second only to The Errol Flynn version.

Cast

            Richard Todd as Robin Hood

            Joan Rice as Maid Marian

            Peter Finch as Sheriff of Nottingham

            James Hayter as Friar Tuck

            James Robertson Justice as Little John

            Martita Hunt as Queen Eleanor

            Bill Owen as Stutely

            Hubert Gregg as Prince John

            Michael Hordern as Scathelock

            Patrick Barr as Richard I the Lionheart

            Reginald Tate as Hugh Fitzooth

            Hal Osmond as Midge the Miller

            Clement McCallin as Earl of Huntingdon

            Louise Hampton as Tyb

            Anthony Eustrel as Archbishop of Canterbury

            Anthony Forwood as Will Scarlett

            Ivan Craig
            
            David Davies as Forester

            Archie Duncan as Red Gill

            Elton Hayes as Allan-a-Dale

            Ewen Solon
            
            Julian Somers as Posse Leader

            Jack Taylor as The Merrie Men

            Richard Graydon
            
            Bill Travers as Posse Man

            Geoffrey Lumsden
            
            John J. Martin
            
            Charles T. Perry
            
            John Brooking
            
See full cast