Robin Hood Origins (5 Classic Films) DVD Review

Dec 312018

This is a decent collection of Robin Hood films dating from 1946 through 1960 and any fan of the character and of these older films will find this collection a worthy pick-up especially at $15 which means about $8 on Amazon or in stores.

Robin Hood: Origins
— 5 Classic Films —
(1948-1960)

Genre(s): Adventure
Mill Creek Entertainment | NR – 395 min. – $14.98 | January 8, 2019

Date Published: 12/31/2018 | Author: The Movieman

MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Various
Writer(s): Paul A. Castleton (novel, ‘Son of Robin Hood’)
Cast: Edgar Buchanan, Lloyd Corigan, Peter Cushing, John Derek, Richard Greene, Alan Hale, Jon Hall, Louis Hayward, Russell Hicks, Anita Louise, Diana Lynn, George Macready, Niall MacGinnis, Patricia Morison, Cornel Wilde

DISC INFO:
Features: None
Digital Copy: No
Formats Included: DVD
Number of Discs: 2

Audio: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Video: Full Frame 1.33, Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35
Subtitles: None
Region(s): 1

PLOT SYNOPSIS

The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
The legendary English hero Robin Hood, Robert of Nottingham (CORNEL WILDE) has grown up to be a dashing lover and outlaw, committed to the pursuit of justice for all. When the King of England is imprisoned by a cruel Regent bent on snuffing out the country’s new legal guiding light, the Magna Carta – The Queen Mother and Lady Catherine (ANITA LOUISE) turn to Robert and his Merry Men for help.

THE PRINCE OF THIEVES (1948)
En route to Nottingham Castle to see his fiancée, Lady Cristabel (ADELE JERGENS), Sir Allen Claire (MICHAEL DUANE) and his sister Lady Marian (PATRICIA MORISON) are told by Robin Hood (JON HALL) that Sir Allen’s bride-to-be is being forced into an arranged marriage by her father, Baron Tristram. With help from the Prince of Thieves, Sir Allen hopes to break into the castle to rescue and marry the woman he loves.

THE BLACK ARROW (1947)
Returning from duty in the 15th-century War of the Roses, young Richard Shelton (LOUIS HEYWARD) learns that his estate has been claimed by his usurping uncle Sir Daniel Breackley (GEORGE MACREADY), who for good measure has also murdered Richard’s father. Forced to elude Breackley’s minions, Shelton and his followers eventually manage to thwart the villain with all manner of weaponry, from crossbow to fist.

ROGUES OF SHERWOOD FOREST (1950)
As his reward for defending his tenants against King John’s troops, Robin, Earl of Huntington (JOHN DEREK) – the son of the legendary Robin Hood – is branded an outlaw just like his father. Facing a death sentence, Robin escapes and, with help from Lady Marianne (DIANA LYNN), heads for Sherwood Forest to persuade his father’s band of Merry Men to join his battle against King John (GEORGE MACREADY).

SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST (1960)
In a Hammer Film production featuring TV’s Robin Hood (RICHARD GREENE), the wicked machinations of the Sheriff of Nottingham (PETER CUSHING) come to light as an evil plot to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury unfolds. Robin and his Merry Men jump into action for a swashbuckling adventure full of spectacular battles and bold romance.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 0/5

The five movies are spread across two discs. No features were included.

VIDEO – 3.0/5, AUDIO – 2.75/5

All of the movies in this collection are presented with a 1.33 for all of the films except Sword of Sherwood Forest which is 2.35 anamorphic widescreen (though Twilight Time did recently release this on Blu-ray). These look as good as one would expect with 3 movies put on one disc and 2 movies on the other. There is some normal wear and tear for movies of this age. The films come with a Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks which I found to be serviceable but nothing outstanding.

OVERALL – 2.75/5

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