Robin Hood (1922)

Director:

Allan Dwan

Writer:

Douglas Fairbanks (story)

Release Date:

18 October 1922 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Romance | Family

Plot:

Amid big-budget medieval pageantry, King Richard goes on the Crusades leaving his brother Prince John as regent...

Plot Keywords:

Good Versus Evil | Pigeon | Robin Hood | Swashbuckler | Archery

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Wallace Beery	...	King Richard the Lion-Hearted
Sam De Grasse	...	Prince John
Enid Bennett	...	Lady Marian Fitzwalter
Paul Dickey	...	Sir Guy of Gisbourne
William Lowery	...	The High Sheriff of Nottingham
Roy Coulson	...	The King's Jester
Billie Bennett	...	Lady Marian's serving woman
Merrill McCormick	...	Prince John's henchman
Wilson Benge	...	Prince John's henchman
Willard Louis	...	Friar Tuck
Alan Hale	...	The Squire / Little John
Bud Geary	...	Will Scarlett (as Maine Geary)
Lloyd Talman	...	Allan-a-Dale
Douglas Fairbanks	...	Earl of Huntingdon / Robin Hood

Also Known As:

Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

133 min | UK:117 min (video) | 127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

UK:PG | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Douglas Fairbanks Pictures

Trivia:

The castle is reputed to be the largest Hollywood set built for any silent movie. Lloyd Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright's son, designed at least one set which he later remodeled as a temporary band shell for the Hollywood Bowl.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Big Moments from Little Pictures (1924)

Another Legend Brought to Life by Douglas Fairbanks

King Richard leaves for the Holy Land on Crusade, taking with him the flower of England's knighthood. Left behind, his wicked younger brother, Prince John, quickly turns despot & begins to oppress the people. Only the Lionheart's dearest friend, the Earl of Huntingdon, has wits quick enough to thwart John & protect the Kingdom until Richard's return. This he does in disguise as an outlaw, taking the name of ROBIN HOOD.

This was Douglas Fairbanks' exciting homage to one of our greatest legends. The film is full of pomp & pageantry and if Fairbanks' style of acting seems to have dated, that does not in the least detract from the pure enjoyment of watching this silent epic. The archaic wording of many of the title cards can be a trifle annoying, but it's important to remember that Fairbanks was trying to impart an authentic medieval flavour to the film.

Wallace Beery is a bluff & hearty Richard. Sam De Grasse makes a fine villain as John, while Enid Bennett is lovely as the Lady Marian. Alan Hale plays Little John, a role he would assume again 16 years later in the Errol Flynn version.

Huntingdon does not become Robin Hood until more than half the film has passed. Then the action really livens up & Fairbanks is allowed to display some of his best athletic magic. One of the biggest & most impressive sets ever constructed for a silent film - Nottingham Castle - is featured here. Fairbanks does not allow it to dwarf him. He leaps & prances from battlement to balcony, climbing ivied walls & sliding down huge draperies, lithe & active & exuding charm. Just what we expect from Douglas Fairbanks.