Robin Hood (1922)

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Robin Hood (1922) is not an ideal introduction to the charismatic action star Douglas Fairbanks. Its pace is too stately for its own good and the whole thing is much too long. However, no one can deny its mythic atmosphere and gorgeous visuals. The scene where Marian and Robin meet again in the woods, surrounded by shafts of light coming through the trees, has haunted me since I first watched it.Fairbanks' portrayal will not displace Errol Flynn as the ideal Robin, but he lends a bit more gravity to the role while still keeping his characterization breezy and fun. Enid Bennett's Marian is not representative of the great talent she possessed, but she is suitably ethereal and queenly.Kevin Brownlow praised Wallace Beery's King Richard as "brilliant," but he feels more like a goofy frat boy than a noble king to me.The action scenes are fantastic, made all the better by the fact that these are real people and not CG renderings which come across as fake.A visual masterpiece, but if you want to be thoroughly entertained, then check out The Black Pirate (1926) or The Mark of Zorro (1920).

The definitive version of Robin Hood will always be the Errol Flynn version to me. There are shortcomings to this 1922 film, it does take too long to get going and Wallace Beery for personal tastes plays Richard too broadly with the laughter overdone, but it is the second best of a mostly entertaining bunch of Robin Hood films. The film looks big and grand as well as lavish and detailed, one of the best-looking Douglas Fairbanks films, even without Technicolor it looks absolutely great. The music is appropriately rousing and really enhances the action, if admittedly not in the same league as Korngold's for the Errol Flynn film, which is one of the greatest films scores of all time as far as I'm concerned. The story is a lot of fun on the whole, the first 45 minutes or so are rather ponderous but once we get to Sherwood the pace really picks up without a single complaint really to be had. That we know more than any other version of how Robin Hood came to be is one of the film's biggest interest points. The action, while none as classic as the climatic sword-fight in the Flynn version, is hugely exciting and sometimes nail-biting, just love the game of conkers using the noblemen on ropes, and the stunts are just as dazzling. Douglas Fairbanks is as gallant and athletic as ever, showing a huge amount of charisma and bravado and an infectious smile. Enid Bennett is both charming and affecting as Maid Marion though with not a lot to do. Alan Hale's Little John here and in the Flynn film is unmatched, his imposing height(very true to character) helps while being hearty and loyal. Paul Dickey is appropriately loathsome as Guy of Gisborne, if not as much as Basil Rathbone, and William Lowery enjoys himself as the Sheriff of Nottingham. But other than Fairbanks the best performance comes from Sam de Grasse, whose snide and despicable nature as Prince John makes him a worthy predecessor to Claude Rains. Allan Dwan's direction has little fault as well. In conclusion, a terrific amount of fun and compares very favourably to the Robin Hood films out there, much of the Sherwood scenes are very imaginatively handled. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This early silent epic was actually the sixth version of the classic English fable to reach the screen, and it remains, even today, by far the biggest. Every shot is framed to highlight the extraordinary production design, which included a full-scale medieval castle built just off Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles, reportedly the largest set ever constructed for a motion picture. The film draws heavily on the romantic heritage of chivalry, and favors the origins of the character over his legendary exploits, following the Earl of Huntingdon (not Locksley, as in later films) into the Crusades, where he and King Richard are marked for death by the treacherous Sir Guy of Gisbourne. It isn't until the fourth (or fifth) reel that Douglas Fairbanks (in one of his definitive roles) finally exchanges his suit of armor for Robin's trademark feathered cap, and goes (literally) skipping through Sherwood Forest. Viewers more accustomed to the Errol Flynn archetype may find it an odd interpretation of the role, depicting Robin Hood as a girl-shy, over-age adolescent, liberated when he turns outlaw. And Fairbanks, always more acrobat than actor, all but dances through the part.

In Medieval England, before he goes off to fight in the Holy Crusades, dashing Douglas Fairbanks (as the Earl of Huntington) draws thousands of spectators in a jousting contest win. Among those cheering and jeering are: the people's beloved King, the generous Wallace Beery (as Richard the Lion-Hearted); his sinister brother Sam De Grasse (as Prince John), who covets Mr. Berry's throne; and, the fairest maiden in the land, Enid Bennett (as Lady Marian Fitzwalter). Eventually, circumstances lead Mr. Fairbanks to become the legendary hero of the oppressed - "Robin Hood". With his band of merry men, Fairbanks' "Hood" steals from the rich to give to the poor.A typically huge 1920s production, from Fairbanks and company, "Robin Hood" almost collapses under its own weight. The principals are introduced well - then, you have Mr. De Grasse usurping the King's throne, while Berry and Fairbanks fight the Crusades. Of course, there is romance - between our hero and Ms. Bennett ("I never knew a maid could be like you," Fairbanks tells her). For most of the running time, the film is laboriously paced; and, some of the directorial shots are lingering and unimaginative.After Fairbanks becomes "Robin Hood", the film picks up (it takes well over an hour); and, it becomes much more exciting. Notable merry man Alan Hale (as Little John) reprised his role, for both Erroll Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), and John Derek in "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" (1950). Now, that's loyalty. ******** Robin Hood (10/18/22) Allan Dwan ~ Douglas Fairbanks, Wallace Beery, Sam de Grasse, Enid Bennett