THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) (****)

Part of what makes older action films seem weaker than modern ones is speed. The action seems too slow, thus seeming staged. What this Hollywood classic lacks in all out speed it makes it up with pure bravado.

Robin Hood (Errol Flynn, CAPTAIN BLOOD) is a noble who is loyal to King Richard (Ian Hunter, 1941's DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE) who is off on a crusade. In the king's absence, his brother Prince John (Claude Rains, CASABLANCA) rules over the peasants with tyrannical rule. Along with Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone, CAPTAIN BLOOD), Prince John plots to take the throne. Robin brazenly challenges Prince John's rule, which makes him an outlaw. His bold actions attract followers including Much (Herbert Mundin, CAVALCADE), Little John (Alan Hale, STELLA DALLAS) and the drunken Friar Tuck (Eugene Pallette, MY MAN GODFREY).

This film really showed me how lame Kevin Costner’s rendition of the character of Robin Hood is. Costner is pure “hero,” which is boring. Flynn’s Robin Hood is cocky, flamboyant and impetuous, making him far more interesting to watch and subsequently more exciting. Flynn was launched into stardom with this film and rightfully so. His free-spirit approach to the character couldn’t have been better.

In terms of comparison, Costner’s Maid Marian feels like a simple damsel in distress where Olivia de Havilland (GONE WITH THE WIND) plays Marian as a snobby noble who ends up falling in love with Robin because of his just cause. She becomes his partner not just his prize. Their love story is wonderfully paced. Marian doesn’t all of a sudden fall madly in love with Robin – it builds in each scene.

The rest of the cast is perfect. Rains plays the effeminate Prince John to perfection. His aloof and hands-off attitude is a polar opposite to Robin's down and dirt approach. Within Flynn and Rains’ performances you can see the major influence on characters in other films, especially THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Rathbone as Sir Guy is a dastardly fellow. His final sword fight with Robin is thrilling. The two actors held nothing back. Plus, directors Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) and William Keighley choreographed the scene brilliantly even showing part of the fight only in shadow.

The whole film is beautiful to look at with its breathtaking Technicolor. It’s an epic tale told with flare and enthusiasm without a hint of irony. Impressively, its sincerity holds up even in our more jaded times.