The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
by Ken Annakin
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Product details
Actor: James Hayter, James Robertson Justice, Joan Rice, Peter Finch, Richard ToddDirector: Ken Annakin
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 84 minutes
Release Date: 1994-04-11
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Walt Disney Video
Studio: Walt Disney Video
VHS Movie Reviews of The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Movie Review: "Where's that harem-scarem son of yours?"
Summary: 4 Stars
Honestly, I can never have too much Robin Hood. I love each and every take out there, and that includes "The Story of Robin Hood", a little-known live action Disney version from the 1950's. I love the gorgeous Technicolor, the delicate matte painting backgrounds, the folk ballads, the archery, the Richard Todd. More on him in a minute.
It's hard to imagine a more sedate version of the rollicking legend. Not that the film is boring; it isn't. It's just oddly calm. There's action, but no peril, plot, but no ideas. The film is a straightforward telling of the facts, so to speak, but we are never allowed any thrills or chills and there is never any doubt that it'll all turn out right in the end.
The cast is decent, minus any real standouts. Joan Rice is a pretty, tom-boyish Maid Marion, and Patrick Barr a suitably awe-inspiring King Richard. The men are sufficiently merry, and I particularly like Elton Hayes as Allan-a-Dale, who sings the evening news to the local peasants. Peter Finch as the Sheriff is a bit of a weak spot; he isn't scary or menacing, just sort of peevish. And then there is Richard Todd, as the man himself.
A word on the acting stylings of Richard Todd. Let me put it this way: He acts as if even-tempered aliens have invaded his body and are politely attempting to go with the flow. Witness the strangely robotic way he carries Maid Marion across the stream. Actually, witness his entire relationship with Maid Marion. Despite her considerable beauty, he seems to merely tolerate her. He manages to look amused when she falls down or something, but other than that, no real interest. He also seems to be generally unconcerned with danger, or with the fact that he is an outlaw banished to the woods, or with anything. Just hanging out, unpreturbed. It's so strange it fascinates me. (For an encore of this exact performance, watch "The Sword and the Rose". Same weird detachment. I love it.) The only director to ever use Todd's otherworldly blankness to good effect was Alfred Hitchcock, in "Stage Fright". But then, what couldn't Hitchcock use to good effect?
This film is a must for people who A) Love Robin Hood with true love's blindness B) Love classic Disney or C) Love the Toddster. I fit into all three catagories so I'm going to buy it, just as soon as my government check comes. In the meantime, Codemaster Talon gives "The Story of Robin Hood"
GRADE: B (B+/A- If you happen to have a "Richard Todd for President" bumper sticker. Not that I do!)
PS If you watch this film, keep an eye out for the most unintentionally hilarious death in screen history, the assassination of Hugh Fitzooth. Oh man, funny every time.
Movie Review: Fair adaption of the classic story, a little bit too talky perhaps, but it is still outstanding family entertainment.
Summary: 4 Stars
Yes, Disney did make a Robin Hood film before their 1973 animated classic. But this film is able to stand on its own. I hate to compare movies side-by-side, but this is not "THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD", which is better. However, this one is still quite good, with Richard Todd as Robin Hood, Joan Rice as Maid Marian, and Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham. As customary with most Disney films, there is not much action. In a movie like "Robin Hood", the action needs to be frequent and very well done. Because of this, the film fails to be nearly as exciting as its 1938 predecessor starring Errol Flynn. The audience will be surprised at how the Sheriff of Nottingham meets his demise, but let me tell you this that Robin is not responsible! Overall, a good film, not great, but alright for Disney fans. If you are searching for something more in action, story, and characters, try to catch "The Adventures of Robin Hood", from 1938, in color, starring Errol Flynn.
Also Recommended: "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "Ivanhoe" (1952), "Ivanhoe" (1982), "Young Ivanhoe" (1995), "Robin Hood" (1973)
THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF "THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD".
Movie Review: The BEST Version of Robin Hood
Summary: 4 Stars
Disney delivers another classic, delightful tale! This is another one of Disney's "good oldies." Although those accustomed to today's rate of productions may feign boredom (and I say they probably like it, just won't admit it), this really is a lovely adaptation. What I would give for the producers of today's movies to use the goodness of this version, along with technology and digital affects of today. (Did we really need
some of the twisted sub-characters added in to the more recent versions?)
Each character makes a delightful addition to the cast. Richard Todd as Robin Hood, takes another heroic Disney role. Some lovely little scenes include the introduction to Little John (James Robertson Justice, who
also shares the screen with Todd in Sword and the Rose), Friar Tuck's "courtship" meal, Maid Miriam's interference with bow practice, and the Minstrel's ballads. Although not all may share my taste, this provides some laughs, adventure, and makes for a wonderful family evening. The little ones will adore it, and the older ones will like it in spite of themselves.
Movie Review: Good Clean Fun
Summary: 4 Stars
My two boys (7 and 10) loved watching this movie. They are really into Robin Hood now so I wanted a movie they could watch that didn't have blood and bare bosom's. This is Robin Hood so arrows do fly but there is no blood seen. It is an old movie as expected and the acting is a little over done but it didn't bother my boys or myself much. The quality is pretty good although it looks a little colorized. I would recommend this if you really want to own it. I bought one for my nephew as a gift. The one we watched we got from our local library.Movie Review: The best joust
Summary: 5 Stars
In this version of Robin Hood the jousting match on the bridge is the best I've ever seen it done. Robin and the stranger get right to the point. They both want to cross the narrow bridge over the deep brook first. They quickly decide to settle it by jousting with staves.The jousting match is very realistic with, of course, Robin Hood getting tumbled in.
I first saw this movie when I was about 10 years old. I loved the joust so much that a friend and I went to the woods, found a nice deep brook with a bridge and Robin Hood and Little John lived again. I was Robin Hoood, so I took the dunking and loved it.
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