“The Story of Robin Hood & His Merrie Men” (1952)

The Story of Robin Hood & His Merrie Men

Brief Description:

When King Richard the Lionheart leaves England to lead a crusade to the Holy Land, his treacherous brother conspires to bring himself to power.

Date: 1952

Genre: action adventure 

Running time: 1 hour 24 minutes 

Cast: 

Richard Todd (Robin)

Joan Rice (Marian)

Peter Finch (Sheriff)

James Hayter (Friar Tuck)

James Robertson Justice (Little John)

Martita Hunt (Queen Eleanor)

Hubert Gregg (Prince John)

Elton Hayes (Alan-a-Dale)

Anthony Eustrel (Archbishop)

Patrick Barr (King Richard)

Anthony Forwood (Will Scarlet)

Bill Owen (Will Stutely)

Hal Osmond (Much)

Louise Hampton (Tyb)

Richard Graydon (Merrie Man)

Michael Hordern (Scathelock)

Julian Somers (Posse Leader)

Bill Travers (Posse Man)

Clement McCallin (Earl)

Nigel Neilson (Merrie Man)

Geoffrey Lumsden (Merrie Man)

Leonard Charles Newcombe (Page Boy)

Director: Ken Annakin

Production company: RKO-Walt Disney British Productions Limited

Based on: the Robin Hood legends

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Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

While the 1938 film seemed more centred on the Normans, this one felt more centred on the England of the time. It was somewhat rougher in atmosphere. A very interesting alternate POV!

Characters: 5/5

Robin Hood was not a noble here, and a lot more rough. I know I said he was super proud and a bit brutal in the 1938 film, but he's even more so here. ;P He's much more of an impudent young man than a clever, calculating leader like in the '30s film. Marian is a tomboy, which is an interesting alternate POV (though I like her best as a lady). I like Little John very much in here, and the Friar is SUPER accurate to the books [Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood & Gilbert's Robin Hood]. The Sheriff (De Lesseps) feels like a mix of the Sheriff and Guy of Gisbourne, which is fun. Queen Eleanor is pretty awesome, and Prince John is less sinister (being less gabby), but he gives off more spoiled-younger-brother feels and is more slimy nasty than scary nasty. Alan-a-Dale is great (love his singing, but also I want a film rendition of the alternate young knight Alan and his love!!). The Archbishop is great--very nice after the nasty Bishop of the 1938 film, and Stutey & Scarlet are much more like the Merry Men in Gilbert's Robin Hood.

Plot: 5/5

Honestly, this is a very interesting different view of Robin Hood than the '30s film. Starting with Richard leaving, Robin & Marian being childhood friends, Marian's father leaving her as a ward in the Queen's keeping, and Richard confiding England to John's trust, we then have the archery tournament--but not to capture Robin! Definitely gives off strong Ivanhoe and Merry Adventures feels there. Then we have Robin's father slain and Robin outlawed, following which are skimishes with the Sheriff (and Friar Tuck) reminiscent of Robin Hood. Then Richard's ransom is announced, and the Queen & Archbishop try unsuccessfully to get the Prince & Sheriff to help raise the money. Marian gets involved, loses faith in Robin when he robs someone for no good reason, and eventually finds it again... and then there's more hijinks against John & the Sheriff, and Marian is locked up, and then there's the climax and Richard's return. So, similar to the '30s film but moves stuff around, adds and removes stuff, and generally is a great alternate storyline. 

Romance: 3/5

I do not find Robin & Marian really cute somehow in this film. Perhaps because I really don't like Robin that much, or Marian terribly much more. It's cute, but it's kinda lame?? I don’t know. I can't put my finger on why I don't love it. 

Theme/Message/Topics: N/A

literally none, unless I really forgot something. It's just a swashbuckler. 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

I'm surprised by the content in here, because as it's a Disney film I assumed it was a family film. Well, it's a lot rougher/coarser than the 1938. There's a lot of shirtlessness. 2 or 3 kisses between Marian & Robin, some hugs. Marian traipses around in leggings (& a cape) and later in leggings + a big Lincoln Green shirt that is pretty open down the front, though it doesn't really show anything. 

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

The violence is also stronger in this film. De Lesseps tortures Stutely, and his bloody back is shown. Everybody's pretty rough, as aforementioned. There's a lot of fighting, though nothing graphic. SPOILER One of the villains is insinuated to die by being crushed between a castle wall and the drawbridge, which personally really bothers me. END OF SPOILER

Overall: 4.5/5

There are some imperfections, but I do enjoy the film, especially when I follow it up with the 1938 as a alternate POV.