Product Description

Errol Flynn is eternally charming as Robin, defender of the poor, in this rousing family adventure that co-stars Olivia de Havilland and Claude Rains. Year: 1938 Director: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley Starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Alan Hale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3533 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-30
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Special Edition, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 102 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Dashing Errol Flynn is the definitive Robin Hood in 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 Technicolor adventure set to a stirring, Oscar-winning score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. 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's silent version), Eugene Palette the portly Friar Tuck, and Melville Cooper the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham. Flynn's confidence and cocky charm makes for a perfect Robin Hood, and his easygoing manner is a marvelous 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

Amazon.com
Dashing Errol Flynn is the definitive Robin Hood in 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 Technicolor adventure set to a stirring, Oscar-winning score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. 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's silent version), Eugene Palette the portly Friar Tuck, and Melville Cooper the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham. Flynn's confidence and cocky charm makes for a perfect Robin Hood, and his easygoing manner is a marvelous 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

DVD features
Never has Warner Bros.'s Technicolor classic looked as vibrant and lush as it does on this DVD. The restoration alone is worth the DVD's weight in stolen booty. But adding to its wealth are the pertinent extras that support the film's story, its historical background, its technical achievements, and the Robin Hood legend as a whole. Notable extras include Rudy Behlmer's commentary, which will tell you more than you ever thought you needed to know about the film. The "Welcome to Sherwood" documentary nicely balances the historical state of Warner Bros. studio in the late 1930s, the decision to make the film, its production, and its continuing success. There's even an hourlong documentary on the history of Technicolor, which is interesting and surprisingly scandalous. In closing, (and maybe the best of the extras!) are two classic "Looney Tunes" cartoons based on the merry prankster from Sherwood Forest. Simply stated: a great package for a perfect film. --Rob Bracco

Customer Reviews

The Region 2 Sets Are Far Superior !
If you want better quality prints for this great old series go to amazon.com.uk and buy the region 2 sets. They have all 4 seasons 5 disc per season struck from original negatives. The region 1 sets are from poor public domain prints crammed on 3 discs quality ranging from poor to good. You will have to have an all region player that converts pal to ntsc to play region 2 these are cheap now some are available at walmart and on e-bay.

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.

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.