Executive producer: Hal B. Wallis. In charge of production: Jack L. Warner. Copyright 14 March 1938 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall, 12 May 1938 (ran 3 weeks). U.S. release: 14 May 1938. Australian release: 15 September 1938. 11 reels. 9,177 feet. 102 minutes. (Available on a superb Warner DVD). SYNOPSIS: England, 1194. Loyal "outlaw" defeats the ambitions of usurping Prince John.NOTES: "Unfortunately, the action scenes were ineffective, and I was forced to replace the director in mid-production. I felt that only Mike Curtiz could give the picture the color and scope it needed. Why hadn't we used him in the first place? Errol wanted Keighley (who had directed him in The Prince and The Pauper)." — Hal B. Wallis.Dawson, Weyl and Korngold all won awards in their various categories. Also nominated for Best Picture (lost to You Can't Take It With You). Number 8 on the New York Times Ten Best list. Number 7 on the Film Daily Ten Best. Shooting commenced 27 September 1937, finished 15 January 1938. Negative cost: $1,900,000.COMMENT: We can be thankful that Warners saw the error of their ways. Fortunately, there is far more Curtiz than Keighley in the picture. It starts off with Curtiz in the great castle confrontation between Flynn and Rains and then goes into the weaker Keighley stuff in which Una O'Connor is allowed to put on her usual tiresome antics as Maid Marian's maid and Herbert Mundin is encouraged to overact atrociously.Olivia de Havilland is also extremely wet — a fact that Keighley seems to have realized. He asked the photographer to give her some extra allure by soft lensing her reaction shots. Patric Knowles is likewise a far too colorless a Will Scarlett, and even Rathbone seems somewhat bland in the Keighley segments. He's much more powerful under Curtiz where he really delivers his lines with as much relish as he wields his sword. What a shame Curtiz wasn't permitted to re-shoot more of the Keighley material! Richard is weak too, while Littlejohn and Friar Tuck are also disappointing — Curtiz would have given them far greater impact. But Flynn is always perfect — a dashing Robin Hood whom it takes no less than three villains to balance: Rathbone as the fastest swordsman in the north, deliciously blustering Melville Cooper, sublimely egocentric Claude Rains. Fed with some marvelous lines, these three are absolutely admirable in nastiness. As for all the action with its stupendous climactic duel between Flynn and Rathbone, plus the sumptuous music score, the gorgeous sets, pacey film editing, exuberant color . . . Robin Hood is simply unbeatable.

In 1191, King Richard (Ian Hunter) joined the Crusades and then he is captured by the Duke of Austria. His ambitious and evil brother Prince John (Claude Rains) takes over the throne and oppress the Saxons increasing the taxes and hanging those that cannot afford to pay. The Saxon nobleman Robin of Locksley (Errol Flynn) hides in the Sherwood Forest and defends the people against the tyrannic John and his right hand Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone) and is considered outlaw. When he meets Lady Marian (Olivia de Havilland), they immediately fall in love with each other. But Robin Hood and his men are hunted down by Sir Guy and the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper)."The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a nostalgic and delightful adventure, in a naive version of the outlaw hero. It certainly is one of the most delightful adventures ever made in Hollywood. Errol Flynn is amazing in the role of the cynical outlaw Robin Hood and Olivia de Havillnd shows a perfect chemistry. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" should be mandatory for the youngest generations to see how to make a wonderful film without CGI. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "As Aventuras de Robin Hood" ("The Adventures of Robin Hood")

The screen's best version of this classic tale has Errol Flynn in the title role, Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian, Basil Rathbone as his dueling foe, Claude Rains as Prince John, Eugene Palette as Friar Tuck, and Alan Hale as Little John, Patric Knowles as Will Scarlett ... all in stunning Technicolor!The film, directed by Michael Curtiz, won Academy Awards for Art Direction, Score, and Editing, and was Oscar nominated for Best Picture. Written by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton Miller, it was added to the National Film Registry in 1995. It's #100 on AFI's 100 Most Heart-Pounding Movies list; Robin Hood was voted the #18 hero by AFI. #11 on AFI's Top 25 Film Scores list.Flynn's Robin goes boldly into Prince John's domain to call him treasonous, for wanting take the throne from his absent brother King Richard (Ian Hunter), even as he defies his orders by killing a deer on royal grounds. Of course, he escapes. He then recruits others to join he and Scarlett, including Little John & Friar Tuck, to resist the Prince and help the over-taxed poor. Marian, initially put off by the brash young ruffian, is shown the results of John's treachery, meted out by Sir Guy (Rathbone) et al, by the former nobleman Robin when he and his band of men capture them all.Later freed, the ineffective Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper) and Sir Guy devise a way to catch the bandit by holding an archery contest that Robin, as the top bowman, can't resist. After his capture, Marian enlists her servant (Una O'Connor) to get word to Robin's men in hopes of saving his neck.I'm sure you know the result as well as the answer to the question as to whether Richard will return from the Crusades to assume power. Naturally, there is a thrilling sword fight between Robin and Sir Guy too.

The story of Robin Hood is almost always tempting. The late 'thirties' bring us one of the best pre-war adventure. THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD is a film in color and one of the most important in the genre.The film seems simple and true. Scenery is beautiful. In this swashbucklers film, courage and romance alternating. These segments complement each other in a remarkable way. It is a triumph of the studio system. With adventure certainly going exterior beauty. Curtiz becomes recognizable. Picture, costumes and effects of the camera and with hindsight looks impressive. Technical segments are great, but the film would not have been so successful that the actors are not perfect around. The chemistry between Flynn (Robin Hood) and de Havilland (Lady Marian) has been seen. So much for the "side" of movie stars that are a perfect fit. I am delighted by the fact that each character given space. There is no place surplus in the story. When compared with the movies it's amazing.For Errol Flynn this is the best role in his career. He was acts in the film as an adventurer. The fact that he is handsome, charming and charismatic'll leave aside. His dominance, arrogance, cheerfulness and good humor that he brought to the role can not be denied. In the film history is one Robin Hood and he is Errol Flynn.Olivia de Havilland was a great natural beauty. It is logical that the camera lingering on her face and rosy cheeks. Shifts in her feelings and change of Lady Marian character is impressive. The evil and greedy Prince John (Claude Rains), cruel and arrogant Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone), prudent and smart Will Scarlett (Patrick Knowles), funny and determined Friar Tuck (Eugene Palette), fearless Little John (Alan Hale Sr.), brave and clumsy Much (Herbert Mundin), cowardly braggart the High Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper) and my favorite Bess (Una O'Connor) are great.The Adventures of Robin Hood is a perfect blend of adventure action and romantic comedy.