| Errol Flynn | Robin Hood |
| Olivia de Havilland | Maid Marian |
| Basil Rathbone | Sir Guy of Gisbourne |
| Claude Rains | Prince John |
| Patric Knowles | Will Scarlett |
| Eugene Pallette | Friar Tuck |
| Alan Hale | Little John |
| Melville Cooper | Sheriff of Nottingham |
| Ian Hunter | Richard I the Lionheart |
| Una O'Connor | Bess |
| Herbert Mundin | Much-the-Miller's-son |
| Montagu Love | Bishop of the Black Cannons |
| Leonard Willey | Sir Essex |
| Robert Noble | Sir Ralf |
| Kenneth Hunter | Sir Mortimer |
| Robert Warwick | Sir Geoffrey |
| Colin Kenny | Sir Baldwin |
| Lester Matthews | Sir Ivor |
| Harry Cording | Dickon Malbete |
| Howard Hill | Captain of Archers |
| Ivan Simpson | Proprietor of the Kent Road Tavern |
| James Baker | Philip of Arras |
| Lionel Belmore | Humility Prin |
| Hal Brazeale | High Sheriff's Squire |
| Edward Dew | Outlaw |
| Herbert Evans | Seneschal |
| Austin Fairman | Sir Nigel |
| Alec Harford | Outlaw |
| Holmes Herbert | Archery Referee |
| Peter Hobbes | Outlaw |
| Leyland Hodgson | Norman Officer |
| Olaf Hytten | Outlaw |
| Crauford Kent | Sir Norbert |
| Marten Lamont | Sir Guy's Squire |
| Wilfred Lucas | Archery Official |
| Charles McNaughton | Crippen |
| Leonard Mudie | Town Crier |
| Janet Shaw | Humility's Daughter |
| Reginald Sheffield | Herald at Archery Toumament |
| Val Stanton | Outlaw |
| John Sutton | Richard's Knight |
| Michael Curtiz | Director |
| William Keighley | Director |
| Milo Anderson | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Henry Blanke | Producer |
| Fred Cavens | Consultant/advisor |
| Ralph Dawson | Editor |
| Leo F. Forbstein | Musical Direction/Supervision |
| Tony Gaudio | Cinematographer |
| Howard Hill | Consultant/advisor |
| Erich Wolfgang Korngold | Score Composer |
| Seton Miller | Screenwriter |
| Norman Reilly Raine | Screenwriter |
| Sol Polito | Cinematographer |
| C.A. Riggs | Sound/Sound Designer |
| Hal B. Wallis | Producer |
| Perc Westmore | Makeup |
| Carl Jules Weyl | Art Director |
Many would consider 1939's "GONE WITH THE WIND" as the perfect fiction to film transfer, but there is at least one other, from the previous year: "THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD", starring Errol Flynn. It is the perfect example of actors perfectly cast, and directors, writers, costumers, and set designers giving the project their all. The result is a classic, a cinematic storybook for all ages that holds up beautifully, to this day, over 70 years later. Furthermore, it leaves all subsequent versions of Robin Hood - British, American, or otherwise - in the dust!
Let's begin with the star: Errol Flynn, at the height of his powers, proved that he was born to play this role. It is shameful that he was never even nominated for an Oscar! He is given fabulous support: by Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Melville Cooper, and Montagu Love as his slimy adversaries; Alan Hale, Patric Knowles, Eugene Pallette, and Herbert Mundin as his "Merry Men"; and Olivia DeHavilland as the fair Maid Marian! Who could ask for more? The Technicolor photography is exquisite, the camerawork and set design absolutely perfect. Warner Brothers was the perfect studio for this sort of filmmaking, especially with talent on hand such as composer Erich Korngold and director Michael Curtiz (both of whom would work with Flynn two years later on "THE SEA HAWK"). Truly Hollywood filmmaking at its best!
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I used this film as part of a medieval unit for 6th grade students. They had the choice of this movie and a much more current day film. Most choose this film, which surprised us. The best part was that they loved it and they were "glued to it" for most of the movie. I think that says a lot for the quality of the film. After all it was made in 1938 and kids and adults still enjoy it today.
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Posted October 1, 2010
'The Adventures of Robin Hood' was the second film to be made based on our hero in green tights. The original silent version starred Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and, although in this version Errol Flynn lacks something of Doug's viceral masculinity (he does look a tad feminine in those tights), Flynn more than makes up for this shortcoming with bravado, charm and dialogue! The film concerns Robin¿s (Flynn) attempt to steal from the rich and give to the poor. His run ins with the law, of course, immediately brand him an outlaw to the temporary aristocracy helmed by the evil Prince John (Claude Rains) and his diabolical henchman, Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone). Olivia DeHavilland - long a Warner stock romantic lead, costars as Maid Marianne. At first she abhors Robin¿s bravado to which she associates deception, but later learns of his charitable work and succumbs to his sexy good charm. From that point on it is all sword-fights and high comedy in this effortless and masterful swashbuckler from director, Michael Curtiz. Unfortunately, Warner's transfer is a mixed bag. After a beautiful main title sequence we get several opening shots that are excessively grainy. Here and there the grain structure crops up - particularly in long shots. Because it's not consistent it tends to look glaring when it does show up. Although the negative looks better than ever before there continue to be chips present throughout. Also, there's NO EXCUSE for the aliasing and edge enhancement that crops up every now and then - once again, particularly in long shots. Extras include documentaries, audio commentaries, featurettes, musical outtakes, trailers and oh, just too, too much to discuss herein - almost 4 hours worth. You really get your money's worth with this disc! Bravo! Considering the vintage of the film elements and, in considering how bad the film looked before, Warner Brothers has achieved a monumental restoration effort. If they could get a handle on the digital mastering they'd really be off to the races! Still, A MUST HAVE for any classic film buff!
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Posted October 1, 2010
While there have been 60 years to review and appreciate the movie, the news here is that this ancient ghost has been re-created in such fine style that for the very first time we can see it almost as it would have appeared on cinema screens at its release. The sound is still tinny, but the pictures are magnificent. You'll watch it over and over. And with the option to switch off the dialog and just hear the music, Korngold steps to the podium and steals the show. Pure movie enjoyment. Kudos to the restorers!
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Posted October 1, 2010
Errol Flynn was born to play the role of Robin Hood, and he played it better than anyone ever has or probably ever will. During an interview to promote his film, “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”, the smug and arrogant Kevin Costner referred to Errol Flynn’s version of the movie as “hokey”. Fifty years from now the public will still consider Flynn’s ''hokey'' version as the best, but they won’t even remember who Costner was or what movies he was in.
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Posted April 20, 2003
''Brilliant'' is a word that only begins to describe ''The Adventures of Robin Hood.'' It is a timeless masterpiece that captures all the finest qualities of the art form: the cast, particularly Errol Flynn as Robin; the acting; the dialog; the direction and cinematography; the sets and costumes; even the color film stock; and certainly not least, Eric Korngold's classic, incomparable score. If I were given the nearly impossible task of chosing the best film ever made, this would be it.
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Posted March 6, 2003
This is a simple yet magical movie. It is much like the Wizard of Oz - it simply cannot be improved upon. The casting is also superb. Just as Judy Garland IS Dorothy, so too Errol Flynn IS Robin Hood. This timeless classic MUST be put on DVD!!
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Posted December 30, 2002
Quite simply,THE greatest film ever made (in my humble opinion!)Flynn,Rathbone,et all are superb,the colours are fabulous,etc.etc. This was the first film that I videotaped (back in '82) and I wouldn't dream of throwing it out even tho' it's virtually black and white now after repeated playback. It was shown a few years back on satellite tv complete with an original screen trailer(fantastic!) Why isn't it on dvd? is there anything we fans could do to arrange this? Long live Sir Robin Of Locksley!
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Posted November 24, 2002
This movie is phenomenal. It is the best Robin Hood movie and possibly the best Errol Flynn movie (Captain Blood is close). The cast is great, the scenes and great and the story is timeless. I've burned through 2 VHS copies, working on a third. Went to see the re-release 2 years ago. Absolutely fantastic! Must have in DVD format.
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Posted May 27, 2002
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD is a classic telling of the famous legendary outlaw--and over the years it has lost none of its charm. Delightful action, swordplay, romance and humor--and an impressive cast headed by Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains--all classic stars at the height of their appeal. Wonderful Oscar-winning background score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold gives added dimension to this treasure of a film. Flynn and de Havilland are perfectly cast as Robin and Marian--and Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains make perfect screen villains. A gorgeous to look at film in the new three strip Technicolor makes the forest and castle settings glow with a life of their own. Not to be missed! Winner of three Academy Awards including Best Editing, Best Original Musical Score, Best Art Direction.
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Posted July 1, 2002
Without a doubt the greatest Robin Hood. Erroll Flynn will always be Robin Hood for me. Wish they would make it in DVD.
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Posted June 20, 2002
This is the best Robin Hood film of all in time - in my opinion. It is time that it was released on DVD.
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Posted March 6, 2002
Excellent movie. Lot's of fight scenes & humor. Just plain fun.
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Posted November 23, 2010
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Posted May 7, 2010
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Posted June 3, 2011
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Posted March 14, 2009
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Posted January 28, 2010
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Posted December 12, 2009
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Overview