114: The Adventures of Robin Hood

US  102m  Dir: Michael Curtiz and William Keighley  Key Cast: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland

It was a hell of a risk for Warner Bros to make this film. It was the studios' highest budget to date and their first using technicolour. The script was largely re-written from it's initial draft and James Cagney who was set to star left his contract with the studio. In the end they hired the already reliable pair of Errol Flynn and Oliva de Havilland. 

I suspect that relatively few modern viewers have seen this incarnation of Robin Hood but it provided much of the imagery we now link with the legendary character. Most subsequent versions of the story have played homage to this one in one way or another. It helps of course that this was an early colour film and so the bright costumes, large number of extras and great scenery is shown off more than pre-colour films. 

I think another huge factor in the success of this film is Errol Flynn. He's comparable to Tom Cruise today in the way he was a big star but did the majority of his own stunts, here including lots of clambering around, riding on horseback and fighting. But Flynn was also a great actor and embodies Robin Hood here. This version of Robin is hugely likeable, witty and roguish but they also do a good job of showing that he became an outlaw to help people and stand against oppression. Flynn sets the template for an action blockbuster and virtually every story of a hero told on film since aims for a similar tone. 

Olivia de Havilland is also great here and Maid Marian gets the most character development. She begins the film as a support of Prince John and does not like Robin at all but when Robin and his men ambush Guy of Gisborne, Marian is forced to spend time with Robin and there's a superb scene as she both learns why Robin decided to become an outlaw and falls in love with him. 

This has everything you want from a Robin Hood film. A charismatic Robin Hood in Errol Flynn, plenty of great action sequences, a stirring romance and the theme of facing oppression.