Thank you! Yes, there are so many great films out there that people tend to overlook simply because they are "too old" and thus not on people's radar. Glad you enjoyed the video!
1:50 What makes Robin Hood such a badass in this scene is that he's carrying a white-tailed deer on his shoulders -meaning he went all the way to North America and back overnight before the meat could go bad!
@@Jelperman Well, it helps that Sherwood Forest back then looked a lot more like California. Perhaps there were still some white-tailed deer around before Robin and company hunted them to extinction.
@@Jelperman I was stationed in England in the USAF for 9 years and trust me it doesn't rain all the time or for long periods like it can it in the US. It rains and clears up then rains and clears up and Rains some more and clears up .... And that's just before noon! Ha!
The best part of this scene- only moments before, the nobles, and Sir Guy & the Sherriff, have been telling Prince John what a jerk and pain Robin is. And how, if only hexd get close, they'd capture & hang the scoundrel. And right on cue (rather literally!), Robin comes barging in, all bluster & deer carcass. Great stuff
I saw it first as a kid as well, back in the 1970s, on TV. Seeing it for the first time, probably around 6 or 7, was the first time I ever recall sitting in front of the TV for that long fully paying attention. I have intentionally watched the film a couple of times yearly for around 35 years.
It is interesting to compare this version of Robin Hood with future versions. In this version Robin Hood does good because he believes in it, ending the oppression is a part of his principles. However, in later versions, such as Kevin Costner's, his motivation is revenge. Revenge has replaced principle as motivation for characters. The only one that I can think of as an exception is Chris Evans as Captain America.
@@MrGadfly772 That’s so true! So many movies, especially remakes of older stories, make revenge rather than some higher ideal the motivating factor to drive the characters. They did it in the Magnificent Seven remake, they did it in Gladiator (basically a retread of Spartacus), and the list goes on and on.
@ True, what with Marcus Aurelius and whatnot. I was thinking more of the “gladiator standing up to the night of Rome” aspect, but the parallels to Fall of the Roman Empire are probably stronger overall.
@@ajklapperich1024 No that's also a good example. The movie from which Gladiator is taken from is "The Fall of the Roman Empire." Again, the motivation in this older film is the principle of standing up against tyranny. But in the remade version by Ridley Scott Russel Crowe is once again motivated by personal revenge against the empire that kills his son and wife.
@@jamesalexander5623 Yeah, it is a great “feel good” movie. Not super complicated, but very fun to watch. Plus, it ends with a perfect happily ever after ending that leaves you feeling contented when the film’s over.
Adventures of Robin Hood is the best film adaptation of Robin Hood, and Eroll Flynn's portrayal as Robin Hood makes him the best Robin Hood in cinema history.
Love this movie! And this scene in particular. I appreciate your analysis and observations. I would suggest that while Robin's actual introduction happens at his initial confrontation with Sir Guy, this dinner scene serves as an expanded introduction, or greater character reveal of who Robin is. Stopping Gisbourne from executing a peasant in the forest is one thing--Robin might have done that on a whim--but marching into the castle, declaring his opposition while surrounded by enemies, and sassing all of them before fighting his way out? That's awe inspiring stuff, and boatloads of fun! Marian: "Sir, you speak treason!" Robin: "Fluently."
The movie feels almost like a high budget movie serial edited into a feature film, with the fade to blacks being edits of the original episodes. Robin's earlier introduction (saving Much the Miller's Son) is in keeping with the sense there is a longer series of events than we see. It's part of the magic of the film. We get whisked along the core story, while the movie making makes it seem this is a world of its own going on around that core story.
@@CaminoAir It does have that episodic feel, like these are little snippets of the adventures these characters are having, but they have been doing things before this and will keep having more adventures afterward too.
@@VegimorphtheMovieBoyI wish he had! He once asked Flynn "Why do I always lose to you on camera. I'm the better fencer". Flynn replied "I have the better silhouette"
Awesome video! One of my favorite movies! In past viewings, I had been noticing Maid Marian's character arc and how it changes when she interacts with Robin, but Robin's character, especially his introduction, hadn't sunk in for me until seeing this. Can't wait to watch it again with this perspective. Thanks 🙂
Watched this movie on repeat when I was a kid. I always thought of it as a movie bookended with battles. The intro battle, the forest battle, the gibbet rescue, and the final battle.
@@ajklapperich1024 Rathbone and Flynn are superb. That last duel reminds me so much of the Fairbanks /Coleman duel at the end of the 1937 Prisoner of Zenda.
This scene is also our introduction to Prince John, Claude Rains playing a criminal mastermind type character, and firmly establishes his duplicitous and sneaky nature. We learn that Robin Hood can't just save England with a couple of swordfights. He'll also have to outwit the prince.
"I realized fear one morning with the blare of the fox hunter's sound. When they're all chasin the poor bloody fox, tis safer to be dressed like the hound.'' Jack Higgins.🦊
Another excellent introduction would be from the original Christopher Reeve Superman movie. Everything from the helicopter rescue to the saving the cat from the tree encapsulates everything you need to know about the character
I would say John Wick nailed introducing and quickly building up and getting you interested in the character. Marcus and Viggo do a great job of building him and making you anticipate the rest of the movie. I think I will rewatch Robin Hood. I have not seen it since the 80’s.
I love that movie. But I have notes. 1)Robin Hood was introduced as a character no later than the 14th century, going by the offhanded reference to him in Piers Plowman, in the 1370's. Probably sooner. But yes, as Hollywood movies go, this one has the best character presentation. You'd think there'd have been a long-runnning franchise. Oh right, they didn't beat things to death back then. There had been many renditions of the legend, not to mention a hit Douglas Fairbanks Sr. film. So basically, everybody going to this movie already knew what to expect, and it was just a question of living up to audience expectationsr, which this does. More than you can say for most of the subsequent Robins, though I like the Disney version. Live action and animated. 2)Best character intro of all time in the movies? Kid Auto Races at Venice, 1914. That actually led to a franchise, which took quite a long time to die. Tramped around for about 22 years. 26 if you count The Great Dictator. Which we might want to be taking another look at around now. 3)Great direction by Curtiz, effective script by three different writers, beautifully edited by Ralph Dawson, wonder if I'm the first person to ever namecheck him on TH-cam. Editors matter. But my point is, none of it would matter without a charismatic star born to play this role, much as he might have wished otherwise at times. Flynn instinctively knows just how to be this guy, because on a certain level, he IS this guy. Adventurer, rogue, and the camera adores him. 'In Like Flynn' is not a catchphrase coined at random. He got in a lot. Probably too much, going by his lifespan. Did you ever hear about the time he and John Huston had a fist fight at a Hollywood Party, mainly just because the party was boring?
@@christopherlyons5900 No, I had not heard about the fistfight. That’s hilarious! Also, great point about the editing. While the editing is not the snappy style used so often nowadays, it’s a great example of editing from the time. As I mentioned in the video, the way character reactions are cut to really elevates many of the scenes. I think especially of the scene where Richard and his retainers arrive at the inn, and the bishop slowly starts to piece together their identities.
@@ajklapperich1024 There is no point you can come in on that movie and you don't immediately know what's happening, and who the people in the scene are. That is not, by any means, the only way to tell a story. Some mystery is perfectly okay, but this is a morality play, and there are no shade of grey here (as I assume there were plenty of with regards to the real people who inspired the legends of Robin Hood). It is an endlessly rewatchable film . And once you start watching, good luck stopping.
Robin Hood is always hilarious when you know the actual history; Richard was an absolutely p*sspoor king who loathed England to the point he barely spent time there and John had to raise taxes and "steal" the people's valuables *to pay for Richard's ransom on Richard's orders.* That's where we get the term _a King's ransom_ from, also keep in mind Richard already basically bancrupted the country to finance his crusade in the first place. Now why was Richard even incarcerated? Because he managed to p*ss off everyone he crusaded with to the point they begged the Holy Roman Emperor to take care of the prick who did by throwing him in a tower in Austria. John was still a flawed af Plantagenet but he was an actually competent administrator who was only loathed because he spent his time auditing the barons and discovered lots of missapropriated tax revenue that somehow landed in the barons' chests rather than the king's treasury and ironically plenty of abuse of the local peasants' rights.
@@mnk9073 True, but John also lost most of the Plantagenet lands on the continent. He took England from ruling large sections of France to asking the French king to send an invasion of England to help John out against his own subjects. He may have been a better ruler than Richard, but not by much. Hollywood is not really concerned with getting down into the nitty-gritty details of monarchical policy though, so we just wind up with “Richard=good, John=bad”. It’s always good to know the actual history too, though.
@@Floyd-o7l I remember that one! They keep saying Robin Hood is coming, and at the end Errol Flynn swings in. The fun things Warner Bros could do since they owned both properties.
there a second introduction on a villain from this scene. Prince John. We see a guy who is counsel by the sheriff and his knight about and listens. he is intrigued by the rogue and then offer him a chance to join him. but when Robin is shown too deep into his brother camp he has him kill. So we learn is not a mustache twirling villain,. he thoughtful and considerate how to turn things to his advantage and when he see he has no avenue to win he ruthlessly take action to end the threat.
It’s fun that he “tricks” the castle guards by actually telling them truth about there being a traitor inside. They are almost all traitors inside the castle.
@@ajklapperich1024 I came across that situation with a brand new pair of Levis 501s. They were new, but I'd bought them pre-covid -- before an enforced year of sitting and watching TH-cam cooking videos. Yes, they fit -- unwashed. After I wore them in a shower they got tighter. They're OK if I cold water wash them and hang them to line dry. A hot dryer cycle would make me give them to Goodwill.
What is the most over-used, lazy, rendered-near-meaningless word in 21st century English? "Iconic" surely takes the prize. If you don't know what you mean, but you want to give the impression of importance, just plop "iconic" into your thumbnail.
@@friedfish69 Yup, followed closely by “impactful.” Though I feel like iconic works in this case since it is defined in Merriam-Webster as something “widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence.” As character introduction in films go, I think this one fits that definition, though that is a matter of opinion. I do try to make sure the words I’m using actually fit and aren’t just hyperbolic nonsense. It’s just unfortunate that iconic has been overused almost to the point of being useless anymore as a word.
@@StimParavane In what way? It’s a joke; John isn’t actually “mansplaining” anything, just talking to a lady. Maybe I used the term incorrectly; I’m not as familiar with all the modern slang as I could be.
Love this analysis! So many TH-camrs act like nothing before 1970 existed and miss out on so many great films! Thanks for making this!
Thank you! Yes, there are so many great films out there that people tend to overlook simply because they are "too old" and thus not on people's radar. Glad you enjoyed the video!
1:50 What makes Robin Hood such a badass in this scene is that he's carrying a white-tailed deer on his shoulders -meaning he went all the way to North America and back overnight before the meat could go bad!
@@Jelperman Well, it helps that Sherwood Forest back then looked a lot more like California. Perhaps there were still some white-tailed deer around before Robin and company hunted them to extinction.
@@ajklapperich1024 Yeah, I doubt Nottingham gets that much sunshine in a decade.
@@Jelperman I was stationed in England in the USAF for 9 years and trust me it doesn't rain all the time or for long periods like it can it in the US. It rains and clears up then rains and clears up and Rains some more and clears up .... And that's just before noon! Ha!
@@jamesalexander5623 Dude, I was joking. See the post above about the deer.
@@jamesalexander5623you should go to Wales. You can experience all 4 seasons in one afternoon. 😊😊
The best part of this scene- only moments before, the nobles, and Sir Guy & the Sherriff, have been telling Prince John what a jerk and pain Robin is. And how, if only hexd get close, they'd capture & hang the scoundrel.
And right on cue (rather literally!), Robin comes barging in, all bluster & deer carcass.
Great stuff
Maid Marion, horrified, "You speak treason!"
Robin, smooth AF, "Fluently."
One of my favourite lines of all time!
One of the best movies ever made. I saw it twice as a child and over and over again since TH-cam has been in the world.
I saw it first as a kid as well, back in the 1970s, on TV. Seeing it for the first time, probably around 6 or 7, was the first time I ever recall sitting in front of the TV for that long fully paying attention. I have intentionally watched the film a couple of times yearly for around 35 years.
It is interesting to compare this version of Robin Hood with future versions. In this version Robin Hood does good because he believes in it, ending the oppression is a part of his principles. However, in later versions, such as Kevin Costner's, his motivation is revenge. Revenge has replaced principle as motivation for characters. The only one that I can think of as an exception is Chris Evans as Captain America.
@@MrGadfly772 That’s so true! So many movies, especially remakes of older stories, make revenge rather than some higher ideal the motivating factor to drive the characters. They did it in the Magnificent Seven remake, they did it in Gladiator (basically a retread of Spartacus), and the list goes on and on.
@@ajklapperich1024 Galdiator is a remake of the even bigger Epic film "The Fall of the Roan Empire" with all the same Historical Characters!
@ True, what with Marcus Aurelius and whatnot. I was thinking more of the “gladiator standing up to the night of Rome” aspect, but the parallels to Fall of the Roman Empire are probably stronger overall.
@@ajklapperich1024 No that's also a good example. The movie from which Gladiator is taken from is "The Fall of the Roman Empire." Again, the motivation in this older film is the principle of standing up against tyranny. But in the remade version by Ridley Scott Russel Crowe is once again motivated by personal revenge against the empire that kills his son and wife.
This is my Favourite Feel-Good Go To Movie! I own the Special 2 Disc Edition and watch it often when it's on TCM!
@@jamesalexander5623 Yeah, it is a great “feel good” movie. Not super complicated, but very fun to watch. Plus, it ends with a perfect happily ever after ending that leaves you feeling contented when the film’s over.
One of my favourites. Errol Flynn did not have to work hard, He just played Errol Flynn and wore different costumes depending on the movie.
Adventures of Robin Hood is the best film adaptation of Robin Hood, and Eroll Flynn's portrayal as Robin Hood makes him the best Robin Hood in cinema history.
Sergio Leone's movies almost perfected the art of character introduction, especially Once Upon A Time In The West set the standard.
You brought two too many
"You brought two too many...."
But Sergio Leone left his characters is mystery. There is no back story for Blondie or Tuco. They are what they do.
Leone was a master of show don't tell
Sergio Leone made Robin Hood? 😱 I did not know that
Genuinely my favorite film of all time.
Fair
Love this movie! And this scene in particular. I appreciate your analysis and observations. I would suggest that while Robin's actual introduction happens at his initial confrontation with Sir Guy, this dinner scene serves as an expanded introduction, or greater character reveal of who Robin is. Stopping Gisbourne from executing a peasant in the forest is one thing--Robin might have done that on a whim--but marching into the castle, declaring his opposition while surrounded by enemies, and sassing all of them before fighting his way out? That's awe inspiring stuff, and boatloads of fun!
Marian: "Sir, you speak treason!"
Robin: "Fluently."
Arguably, he has a third: the vine swing onto the rock with the cheeky, "Welcome to Sherwood, my lady."
The movie feels almost like a high budget movie serial edited into a feature film, with the fade to blacks being edits of the original episodes. Robin's earlier introduction (saving Much the Miller's Son) is in keeping with the sense there is a longer series of events than we see. It's part of the magic of the film. We get whisked along the core story, while the movie making makes it seem this is a world of its own going on around that core story.
@@CaminoAir It does have that episodic feel, like these are little snippets of the adventures these characters are having, but they have been doing things before this and will keep having more adventures afterward too.
Thank you for featuring this film! I grew up watching and loving it as it was shown on TV fairly regularly.
Basil Rathbone is just such a worthy adversary. Even sitting down and eating a snack, he is just intimidating. He can challenge you with a glance!
Definitely! I love him in this and Captain Blood (and Sherlock Holmes as well). It's a shame he never got to be a hero in a swashbuckler film though.
@@VegimorphtheMovieBoyI wish he had! He once asked Flynn "Why do I always lose to you on camera. I'm the better fencer". Flynn replied "I have the better silhouette"
Yes, and his sword-fight with Flynn in this film is absolutely epic...
This is among the greatest scenes in cinema. Not his first appearance. But his most iconic scene.
As a kid this movie was great……fun and Flynn was just perfect as Robin Hood
Awesome video! One of my favorite movies! In past viewings, I had been noticing Maid Marian's character arc and how it changes when she interacts with Robin, but Robin's character, especially his introduction, hadn't sunk in for me until seeing this. Can't wait to watch it again with this perspective. Thanks 🙂
Excellent breakdown, I enjoyed watching your analysis!
@@theaaronfrench Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Back in the day many, many, more people would realize how heavy a deer is, much less a Buck.
Watched this movie on repeat when I was a kid. I always thought of it as a movie bookended with battles. The intro battle, the forest battle, the gibbet rescue, and the final battle.
@@jackofsuit Same! The sword fight between Guy and Robin was one of the most memorable scenes I watched as a kid.
@@ajklapperich1024 Rathbone and Flynn are superb. That last duel reminds me so much of the Fairbanks /Coleman duel at the end of the 1937 Prisoner of Zenda.
@ I still need to see that film! I’ve heard good things about it, but just haven’t gotten to it yet.
This scene is also our introduction to Prince John, Claude Rains playing a criminal mastermind type character, and firmly establishes his duplicitous and sneaky nature. We learn that Robin Hood can't just save England with a couple of swordfights. He'll also have to outwit the prince.
"I realized fear one morning with the blare of the fox hunter's sound. When they're all chasin the poor bloody fox, tis safer to be dressed like the hound.'' Jack Higgins.🦊
You have a really good narration style and spot on analysis.
Hope to see further film commentary videos on your channel looking ahead.
@@beeman2075 Thank you! I plan to continue making video essays about films, so I appreciate the support!
Another excellent introduction would be from the original Christopher Reeve Superman movie. Everything from the helicopter rescue to the saving the cat from the tree encapsulates everything you need to know about the character
I would say John Wick nailed introducing and quickly building up and getting you interested in the character. Marcus and Viggo do a great job of building him and making you anticipate the rest of the movie. I think I will rewatch Robin Hood. I have not seen it since the 80’s.
@@internettroll7604 Definitely worth the rewatch. It’s a great popcorn flick.
Loved the movie as a child
I still like John Wayne's intro in "Big Jake".
You deer to kill a king's dare?!
Love this movie 😂 Basil Rathbone was such a hissable villain ( when not playing Sherlock!).
Errol Flynn at his finest. Australian representation in the earlier days of hollywood!
I just helped a friend load a dead deer in his truck.... That deer Robin has sure is light. Still a great movie everyone should watch.
Did you smack him up with the deer?
I love that movie. But I have notes.
1)Robin Hood was introduced as a character no later than the 14th century, going by the offhanded reference to him in Piers Plowman, in the 1370's. Probably sooner. But yes, as Hollywood movies go, this one has the best character presentation. You'd think there'd have been a long-runnning franchise. Oh right, they didn't beat things to death back then. There had been many renditions of the legend, not to mention a hit Douglas Fairbanks Sr. film. So basically, everybody going to this movie already knew what to expect, and it was just a question of living up to audience expectationsr, which this does. More than you can say for most of the subsequent Robins, though I like the Disney version. Live action and animated.
2)Best character intro of all time in the movies? Kid Auto Races at Venice, 1914. That actually led to a franchise, which took quite a long time to die. Tramped around for about 22 years. 26 if you count The Great Dictator. Which we might want to be taking another look at around now.
3)Great direction by Curtiz, effective script by three different writers, beautifully edited by Ralph Dawson, wonder if I'm the first person to ever namecheck him on TH-cam. Editors matter. But my point is, none of it would matter without a charismatic star born to play this role, much as he might have wished otherwise at times. Flynn instinctively knows just how to be this guy, because on a certain level, he IS this guy. Adventurer, rogue, and the camera adores him. 'In Like Flynn' is not a catchphrase coined at random. He got in a lot. Probably too much, going by his lifespan. Did you ever hear about the time he and John Huston had a fist fight at a Hollywood Party, mainly just because the party was boring?
@@christopherlyons5900 No, I had not heard about the fistfight. That’s hilarious! Also, great point about the editing. While the editing is not the snappy style used so often nowadays, it’s a great example of editing from the time. As I mentioned in the video, the way character reactions are cut to really elevates many of the scenes. I think especially of the scene where Richard and his retainers arrive at the inn, and the bishop slowly starts to piece together their identities.
@@ajklapperich1024 There is no point you can come in on that movie and you don't immediately know what's happening, and who the people in the scene are. That is not, by any means, the only way to tell a story. Some mystery is perfectly okay, but this is a morality play, and there are no shade of grey here (as I assume there were plenty of with regards to the real people who inspired the legends of Robin Hood). It is an endlessly rewatchable film . And once you start watching, good luck stopping.
Robin Hood is always hilarious when you know the actual history; Richard was an absolutely p*sspoor king who loathed England to the point he barely spent time there and John had to raise taxes and "steal" the people's valuables *to pay for Richard's ransom on Richard's orders.* That's where we get the term _a King's ransom_ from, also keep in mind Richard already basically bancrupted the country to finance his crusade in the first place. Now why was Richard even incarcerated? Because he managed to p*ss off everyone he crusaded with to the point they begged the Holy Roman Emperor to take care of the prick who did by throwing him in a tower in Austria. John was still a flawed af Plantagenet but he was an actually competent administrator who was only loathed because he spent his time auditing the barons and discovered lots of missapropriated tax revenue that somehow landed in the barons' chests rather than the king's treasury and ironically plenty of abuse of the local peasants' rights.
@@mnk9073 True, but John also lost most of the Plantagenet lands on the continent. He took England from ruling large sections of France to asking the French king to send an invasion of England to help John out against his own subjects. He may have been a better ruler than Richard, but not by much.
Hollywood is not really concerned with getting down into the nitty-gritty details of monarchical policy though, so we just wind up with “Richard=good, John=bad”. It’s always good to know the actual history too, though.
In a clip from this movie was in a bugs bunny cartoon as well!
@@Floyd-o7l I remember that one! They keep saying Robin Hood is coming, and at the end Errol Flynn swings in. The fun things Warner Bros could do since they owned both properties.
I think the opening scene of Goodfellas did a good job of this.
good video!
Important lesson: get Korngold to create the music! :-)
there a second introduction on a villain from this scene. Prince John. We see a guy who is counsel by the sheriff and his knight about and listens. he is intrigued by the rogue and then offer him a chance to join him. but when Robin is shown too deep into his brother camp he has him kill. So we learn is not a mustache twirling villain,. he thoughtful and considerate how to turn things to his advantage and when he see he has no avenue to win he ruthlessly take action to end the threat.
Love This Movie. Gotta Get the DVD. Why? Because We're the Good Guys. (smile)
It’s fun that he “tricks” the castle guards by actually telling them truth about there being a traitor inside. They are almost all traitors inside the castle.
@@googleuser4344 That’s a good point! Traitors to Richard, not traitors to John. I hadn’t picked up on that before. Thanks!
Love how that deer didn"t even flinch when he got slammed on the table......you can"t get xtras like that now......they all want to bew the star......
4:00 What I want to know is how did they cast Jared Harris as Prince John 23 years before he was born?
This character is in like Flynn!
8:01 Consider this; he didn't have to do any of this he did it because his principles pushed him to antagonise the people who had displeased him.
That was before Hollywood invented the "medieval filter".
Actually the real Robin Hood Williiam of Walshingham from the Weald and a loyal vassal of King John
My fav movie. Lousy dialog butt dang good movie.
Don't swim the moat in brandnew tights.
* unless you're packing like Errol Flynn
@@HootOwl513 Excellent advice. Makes so much more sense now why Robin Hood makes Friar Tuck carry him across the river instead of wading across.
@@ajklapperich1024 I came across that situation with a brand new pair of Levis 501s. They were new, but I'd bought them pre-covid -- before an enforced year of sitting and watching TH-cam cooking videos. Yes, they fit -- unwashed. After I wore them in a shower they got tighter. They're OK if I cold water wash them and hang them to line dry. A hot dryer cycle would make me give them to Goodwill.
What is the most over-used, lazy, rendered-near-meaningless word in 21st century English? "Iconic" surely takes the prize. If you don't know what you mean, but you want to give the impression of importance, just plop "iconic" into your thumbnail.
@@friedfish69 Yup, followed closely by “impactful.” Though I feel like iconic works in this case since it is defined in Merriam-Webster as something “widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence.” As character introduction in films go, I think this one fits that definition, though that is a matter of opinion. I do try to make sure the words I’m using actually fit and aren’t just hyperbolic nonsense. It’s just unfortunate that iconic has been overused almost to the point of being useless anymore as a word.
Use of "mansplaining" unironically.
Fail.
You lost me with "mansplaining". Just another woke idealogue.
@@StimParavane In what way? It’s a joke; John isn’t actually “mansplaining” anything, just talking to a lady. Maybe I used the term incorrectly; I’m not as familiar with all the modern slang as I could be.
Triggered?