The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Blu-ray is the best!

This blu-ray edition of this exceptional classic movie is really the best. The color and clarity are clearly superior. I can enjoy it like it was in the movies. October 3, 2008

Errol as Robin Hood flies high!

Errol Flynn's take on the Robin Hood myth is legendary. Lovely Olivia deHavilland is a fine romantic interest, especially as she changes from the antagonist in the early scenes to the realization of Robin's altruistic motives during her stay in Sherwood. The latest re-incarnation on video is an absolutely glowing Technicolor reproduction
on blu-ray. The verdant greens of Sherwood near pop off the screen.
It's hard to believe the film is 70 years old. Warners has restored it
to its pristene glory and included a plethora of extras including an
excellent audio commentary. Add to that Michael Curtiz' lively direction and Erich Wolfgang Korngold's rousing score, it's a classic not to be missed. October 3, 2008

Speak Treason Fluently

Overall, the combination of screenplay, directing, pacing, music, action, and acting make this not only the greatest screen version of Robin Hood ever, but one of the greatest all-time adventure classics. Adventure movies are no longer made, unfortunately, having been replaced by 'Action Movies.' An Action Movie is an Adventure Movie with a very bad case of ADHD, or maybe an Adventure Movie on meth, with a low IQ. Too bad, Adventure Movies were classier, and could be enjoyed by women and grown men as well as adolescent boys.

Errol Flynn as Robin Hood is probably the greatest hero in any Adventure Movie. Just perfect, and the guy did his own sword-fighting, and took lessons from an world-class archer for the shooting scenes.

Besides being great entertainment, Robin Hood is very well made from a technical point of view, but does not hit you over the head trying to be artsy-fartsy. The scene where Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone are having the climactic fight, and they slide past the camera, while the camera seamlessly catches the perfect, fighting shadows, then seamlessly they slip back into camera is just fantastic.

There is strong element of populist social commentary in this film. The poor and working people are in a state of deprivation and tyranny because King Richard has become entangled in a foreign military adventure.

My favorite part, after the climactic sword fight, is when Robin gives Maid Marion a tour of the medieval equivalent of a Hooverville. This is a movie made in 1938, and this is a wonderful way of reminding the audience, and modern viewers, of what true poverty looks like. Later in this sequence, you can see Robin and Marion gaze lustfully after each other as they eat at the same table with the homeless. For this film's original audience, hunger was never too far away.

This film blends the spirit of Romantic Adventure with a strong call to social justice. One of my top 10 all time favorite movies. I could watch it once a week.

The documentary on the making of this film is also excellent, and increases my appreciation. And of course the 2 Warner Bros. cartoons are also great. September 29, 2008

Superb Print and Must-Have

I have never seen this movie in such beautiful color. We own a 12 foot screen and the quality was superb. Taken from direct masters, restored for superior color and sound. The extras are superb, too. Errol Flynn movie trailers and the alternate ending that was never used, which pre-dates Disney horse-drawn carriage scenes shown often in Cinderella and others. Don't buy the single disc, but the two-disc set. You owe it to yourself. September 24, 2008

"Welcome To Shearwood"

O.k, o.k, I know that some out there are probably saying, Errol Flynn has nothing on Kevin Costner, but I disagree. Errol Flynn, is the best Robin Hood there is. However, I not too keen on the up beat music in this film. It sometime's sounds childish, but no matter what you might think about it, it will always be a timeless classic. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Robin Hood. No matter how cheessey it may be, it's still one of the best. It's fun, entertaining, and very adventureous. Plus, it has a Bugs and Daffy short of Robin Hood that you'll share with your kids. Not to forget some extra bouns material as well. Five Stars for this one. September 4, 2008

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