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When King Richard (Ian Hunter) is captured while
fighting in the crusades, Prince John (Claud Rains) after making
himself king, decides to join forces with the Norman Lords to
start to abuse and oppress the common Saxon people, which included
greedily collecting excessively high taxes, burning farms and
homes, and physically maiming many. In response to the people's
great suffering, a Norman Lord, Sir Robin of Locksley (Errol
Flynn) becomes a busy fellow, as he forms a rebel army, affectionately
known as his "Merry Men" to fight this injustice,
relieve suffering, foil the dastardly plans of Prince John and
his evil sidekick, Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone), and
charm and win over the lovely Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland)
as well.
This exciting, entertaining screenplay, based
on English tradition, by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton Miller
gives a solid foundation to one of the greatest action-adventure
films of all time, in the same league with "Raiders of
the Lost Ark, "and "The Three Musketeers (1973)."
It has a wonderful mix of boisterous humor,
terrific sword fights, blossoming love, acts of bravo and courage,
deeds of villainy, all which gives its wonderful cast of both
lovable characters and dastardly villains, plenty to work with
and shine forth, under the talented direction of Michael Curtiz
and William Keighley.
Errol Flynn, as Sir Robin, makes a terrific,
dashing hero, with his talent, his good looks, charming ways,
and athletic ability, who excelled playing dashing, brave heroes
trying to fight injustice.
Olivia de Havilland, gives us an excellence
performance as Marian, a fine lady who goes from being hostile
to loving Sir Robin, as she learns the truth about the foul
deeds of Prince John and her intended marital match, Sir Guy
of Gisbourne, and does her best to help him.
Claude Rains gives a wonderful performance as
the dastardly Prince John who plots for his personal gratification,
lust for power, and wealth.
Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne is one
of his best efforts of swashbuckling villainy. Basil is known
as "one of the screen's ablest of swordsmen and most wretched
of Villains, in such films as "Captain Blood," "A
Tale of Two Cities," where he also starred with Flynn.
Other fine performances worth mentioning are
Alan Hale as Little John, Melville Cooper as High Sheriff of
Nottingham, Patrick Knowles as Will Scarlett and the wonderful
Eugene Pallette as Friar Tuck.
Directed by: Michael Curtiz & William Keighley,
Screenplay by: Norman Reilly Raine and Seton Miller. Muisc by:
Erich Wofgang Korngold. The wonderful art direction, the well
done film editing, and Erich Korngold's musical score all won
Academy Awards.
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