The Adventures Of Robin Hood

We're men. Manly men. We're men in tights. We rome around the forest looking for fights. We're men. We're men in tights. We rob from the rich and give to the poor. That's right. 
Stories based on legends are interesting because of the many ways that they can be interpreted. As far as film versions of the Robin Hood legend, this one made in 1938 pretty much set the benchmark for all that followed. It is one of the most beloved films of all time and can be seen on many peoples all time favourite movie lists. In some ways I can see why. It has an element that was missing from the recent Ridley Scott version which is fun. Many other interpretations kept this sense of fun going as well. This sense of fun manifests in the violence depicted. 'The Adventures Of Robin Hood' is not a very violent film considering the story. While there are lots of sword fights and some light stabbing, the more popular way for Robin and his men to attack Sir Guy and his men is to jump on them from a great height. I found this to be a funny way to attack someone.
My only critism and it is something that many films from the past have, is that they do not seem terribly authentic. I am mostly speaking of the costumes and some of the production design. Lots of westerns have the same problem where they dress like someone from the time the film was made not when it was set. For a group of people who need to act stealthy, Robin and his merry men dress in very bright clothes. Robin dresses in green but it is a bright green which would stand out if he was trying to hide. Then again Sir Guy and his men who are looking for Robin seem to take a very light approach to their work. More modern versions seem authentic and choose costumes that seem more appropriate. 
I am ashamed to say that this is the first film starring fellow Aussie Errol Flynn that I have seen. Over the years his off screen legend has in some ways over taken his on screen one. I can see why people love him so much if this film is anything to go by. His performance pitches Robin in the right way by making him playful and incredibly charismatic. There are very few times where he does not have a smile on his face. Olivia de Havilland makes a nice Maid Marion. While she is playing the damsel in distress role that many women of the time played, she still still very feisty. Claude Rains fits the role of villain very well. He plays the cockiness and arrogance well. The only problem being that he does not come of as much of a threat to Robin. That threat is better done by Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy. But that threat is not enough as you still know Robin will win. I did not get much of a sense of jeopardy from them.
While it is one of those films that is a bit 'of its time', this is still a fun interpretation of the Robin Hood legend. A must for film buffs to see how the legend has changed over time.