A Brilliant Conflict

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

The best Robin Hood movie I've ever seen! Fairbanks is perfect for the role, and I'm glad he played it. With his physical skills and sense of timing, he was able to pack the movie with action. He wrote it too, which is cool, I loved how we got to see how he became Robin Hood and what was going on in medieval times. I had never seen another Robin Hood movie do so much of that so well. (Whether or not it is historically accurate according to some of the others here. It's a bit of literature, so I don't think it matters that much.) The sets, costumes, and everything were really spectacular. I loved this movie, and as I said, it's my favorite Robin Hood film.

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.

Monday June 16, 7:00pm, The Paramount Theater"So fleet the works of men Back to their earth again Ancient and holy things Fade like a dream."All ye who enter here, leave your twenty-first century scoffing and cynicism by the door! Oh, to be twelve-years-old and lost in the Hollywood fantasy of knighthood and chivalry that is Douglas Fairbanks' Robin Hood (1922)! Fairbanks chose England's irreproachable legend of selfless loyalty and justice, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, as the third in his series of costumed spectacles. A genuine original, right down to the smallest, perfectly crafted detail, Robin Hood is the blueprint for beautiful production design, an exhilarating scenario filled with heart-stopping close calls, and the ideal showcase for its star, whose contents have been innumerably duplicated. Hollywood pioneer and Fairbanks favorite Allan Dwan directed a cast of thousands, including Wallace Beery as Richard the Lion-Hearted, Alan Hale as Little John and wide-eyed ingenue Enid Bennett as Maid Marion, on monumental sets, in what has become the epitome of action adventure.

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