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From Amazon.co.uk
Dashing Errol Flynn is the definitive Robin in 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood, the most gloriously swashbuckling version of the legendary story. Warner Brothers reunited Michael Curtiz, their top-action director, with the winning team of Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (Maid Marian) and perennial villain Basil Rathbone as the aristocratic Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and pulled out all stops for the production. It became their costliest film to date, a grandly handsome, glowing technicolour adventure set to a stirring, Oscar-winning score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold--music that became a template for countless later movies, notably John Williams' Star Wars and Indiana Jones scores.
The decadent Prince John (a smoothly conniving Claude Rains) takes advantage of King Richard's absence to tax the country into poverty but meets his match in the medieval guerrilla rebel Robin Hood and his Merry Men of Sherwood Forest, who rise up and, to quote a cliché coined by the film, "steal from the rich and give to the poor". Stocky Alan Hale Sr plays Robin's loyal friend Little John (a part he played in Douglas Fairbanks' silent version), Eugene Palette plays the portly Friar Tuck and Melville Cooper is the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham. Flynn's confidence and cocky charm makes for a perfect Robin and his easygoing manner is a marvellous counterpoint to Rathbone's regal bearing and courtly diction. The film climaxes in their rousing battle-to-the-finish sword fight, a magnificently choreographed scene highlighted by Curtiz's inventive use of shadows cast upon the castle walls. --Sean Axmaker
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Brand new and sealed!! Please note this is the region free USA edition!! Get it quick!! Get it now !!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
Probably the greatest adventure film ever made. From start to finish, it is quite simply superb. The most expensive film ever made at the time, and it shows it too. Wonderfully cast, Errol Flynn as Robin Hood; the beautiful Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian; ably supported by Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy de Gisbourne and Claude Rains as the evil King John. It has everything; romance; fantastic set pieces; (the scene where Robin Hood is rescued from the gallows has to be seen to be believed,) and fight scenes which are superbly directed by Hungarian director Michael Curtiz. Even simple scenes where King Richard the Lionheart (well played by British actor Ian Hunter) who reveals himself to the outlaws in Sherwood Forest is very moving. And accompanied by a rousing music score by Austrian composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Movie makers can and should learn from this because everytime you see it, you learn something new. The updated Kevin Costner version is dull by comparison, mainly through Costner's lack of charisma. The Costner version showing Robin Hood asking his men to swear an oath to King Richard in the forest is painful to watch as it seems dull in comparison to the wonderful Errol Flynn version of the same scene which never fails to bring a lump to one's throat.
Picture quality is very good too, marvellous technicolor for its time. About time it was released on DVD though, with a digitally remastered soundtrack. It will be a must buy; cannot wait for that.
57 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This double DVD-set is a gem in every sense of the word. Of course, the 1938 movie itself hardly needs an introduction anymore. It is by far the best screen adaptation of the legend of Robin Hood and his merry men ever made. Cast to perfection with Errol Flynn as Robin, Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marian, Basil Rathbone as the villain Guy de Gisbourne, Claude Rains as the scheming John Lackland, Alan Hale as Little John and a host of inimitable character actors, shot in awesome Technicolor, with a rousing score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and masterly directed by William Keighley and Michael Curtiz, it still stands as one of Warner Bros. finest moments.
For this DVD release picture and audio have been restored and digitally transferred, and I must say that the picture quality, sharpness and colour are simply mind-blowing and completely belying their age.
The special features spread over the first and second disc are all of great interest. Film historian Rudy Behlmer provides significant audio commentary to the movie. There is a documentary about the making of the movie, and features that will learn you everything about the cast, the crew, and even the figure of Robin Hood and his many movie adaptations. From the movie itself there are a few outtakes and bloopers. Not to be missed by anyone interested in Hollywood history is a revealing documentary about the development and fame of Technicolor (narrated by Angela Lansbury). And much more, turning this set into a surefire investment that will provide many hours of home movie pleasure.
In short: highly recommended.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By pointone
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful DVD for all lovers of this flawless version of Robin Hood.
For the first time they have managed to tame the highly over saturated Technicolor of the original film, and we can see it with a natural colour balance revealing masses of previously hidden detail. As a result all our favourite bits of the film are better that ever, the perfect cast of Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone and Claude Raines, and the music of Korngold, the magnificent sets.
But it wasn't originally planned like this, and the excellent special features and commentary by Rudy Behlmer provide endless detail and fascinating facts. In addition there are light hearted extras,, two Robin Hood inspired Looney Tunes, two other shorts and a varied and not always relevant section called "Night at the movies 1938".
A wonderful re-issue of a wonderful film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories of childhood...
I grew up with this film and can't even remember how many times I watched this as a child. I thought Errol Flynn was handsome and bold like the greatest heroes are, and Olivia de... Read more
Published 1 month ago by PetraE
5.0 out of 5 stars
the master of film
the master of film on dvd. i love this film and the quality is captured in this dvd of the original technicolour movie
Published 1 month ago by charlie
5.0 out of 5 stars
robin hood
the transfer of the film to dvd is excellent, the colours remain as vibrant as if the film had just been released. pity its not in blu-ray. Read more
Published 2 months ago by warrior
5.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid film
I first saw this film as a youngster in the local cinema when colour film first came out. It brought back happy memories. Excellent film! Splendid technicolour! BM
Published 2 months ago by Bernard Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure swashbuckling escapism. Unbeatable.
Unrealistic, unhistorical, corny, cliched etc etc etc but BRILLIANT. Why anyone has ever bothered making another Robin Hood film is beyond me, this is the best, just a non-stop... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Stephen P. Temple
5.0 out of 5 stars
Robin Hood
I saw thing film at the cinema when I was a child and have always wanted the film. If you like the olde worlde type of film this is one you would enjoy.
Published 3 months ago by Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good family movie
This film is ageless. I was sceptical a bit sceptical of it being fun but it is indeed a very solid piece of family entertainment. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pawel Szymanski
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swashbuckling fun
Errol Flynn as Robin Hood really started the green tighted hero we now know and love today! I bought this for my dad who loves this film and I forgot how much I liked it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The adventures of Robin Hood
I guess I'm just old fashioned but this version of the Robin Hood legend just can't be bettered. Not only that, but the director, Michael Curtiz, had the amazing knack of being... Read more
Published 4 months ago by james mcculloch
5.0 out of 5 stars
The adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Bought for a very elderly lady (93 years old) and she was thrilled ! It's so good to still be able to buy these old films.
Published 5 months ago by Pat
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