The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938): Dir: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley / Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Alan Hale Sr.: Corny action adventure about the famed hero who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Directors Michael Curtiz and William Keighley pull off the time period with effective costumes and art direction suitable at its release. Errol Flynn plays the free spirited Robin Hood full of resources and fight as he defends the oppressed We can expect an action climax of high standards but what we cannot expect is a female lead that pays off. Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian is too straight forward as she has a change of heart and falls for him. She is useless and only serves as the fling Robin steals away from the greedy. In the end it becomes the weakest element of the film. Basil Rathbone plays Sir Guy of Gisbourne who will stop at nothing to have Robin arrested but it backfires every time concluding with his ultimate dismiss. Claude Rains plays the evil Prince John whose greed knows no limits and whose plans will be met with consequences when outsmarted by Robin Hood. Alan Hale Sr play Little John who is sighted as the second up to Robin Hood. While some elements are corny the action is spot on delivered with a touch of humour. Overrated yet often fun filled pointless action farce. Score: 5 ½ / 10
Review of The Adventures of Robin Hood
