THE BANDITS OF SHERWOOD FOREST (1946) is set up to play as a
direct sequel to the 1938 ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD film with Errol Flynn. The
story takes place a couple of decades after the end of the previous film with
tyranny unfortunately returning to England
and Sherwood Forest in the form of William of
Pembroke. William is the regent for the child King but has evil plans. Robin
as the Earl of Huntington is the only lord to rise up in defiance of this new
tyranny as the Regent makes his first moves to claim the throne for himself. To
accomplish this he will need to shore up his base of power with the landowners,
somehow do away with the boy King and find a way to undermine and destroy the
Magna Carta.
Adding the revocations of the Magna Carta to this story is a
nice bit of historical detail that sets things in an specific historical
period. I like this addition to the Robin Hood story giving some real modern
flavor to the reasons why we should be rooting for the Barons and Lords. Robin's
tale was always one of overcoming the cruelties of the wealthy ruling class so
having the document that first provided for the protection of individual rights,
protection from unlawful imprisonment and access to swift justice makes the
concepts being fought for all the clearer. I wonder if this film helped any
young lads answer a question correctly in history class?
THE BANDITS OF SHERWOOD FOREST is a pretty good little movie
with some good scenes and some fair action. The cast is game, the tone light
but serious and the Technicolor photography is vivid. Cornell Wilde is a little
American to be playing the son of Robin Hood but since the elder Hood is played
by another American I guess I should shut up and enjoy. Besides, Henry Daniell
as the villain is British enough for everyone! This isn't one of the best Robin
Hood films ever but it's not bad.
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