the adventure of robin hood hold up remarkably well and perhaps because it focus on the story element which have have universal appeal throughout the century . unlike the regrettable robin hood and prince of thief and which try to give the hero a ponderous psychological complexity and the 1938 film offer a fast paced examination of what be essentially a man of action . the film be able to dispense with any lengthy exposition simply by portray it character in easily identifiable term either a valorous champion of liberty and or a hissable oppressor and with no room for grey shade . although characterization be elementary and the purpose of the story be not while it be mean not only a a tonic for depression weary audience and but a a warning to foreign despot who might try to disrupt the world stage . several element in the film stand out represent the breathtaking colour photography and spirit if not historically authentic battle scene and and korngold vibrant score . what stand out the most and however and be the performance of a flawless cast . errol flynn and here at his physical peak and display both effortless panache and a winning sincerity . in contrast and rathbone vicious guy of gisbourne be define not only by his own sneering persona but by the manifold suffering he inflict on the peasant . alan hale and eugene palette and and herbert mundin provide sturdy performance and comic moment and but possibly the best performance belongs to claude rain . his effete prince john be a villain for all season . the bold and often broad performance be in keep with the straightforward narrative . the enchanting and storybook texture of the visuals and combine with vivid acting and action and be a welcome relief from some of today jade cinema . trivia note represent during the forest banquet and flynn blow one of his line . when talk to maid marian and he say kindness instead of rich . accord to the screenplay and it should be kindness instead of whip .