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Taking its cue from the highly successful Erroll Flynn swashbucklers and the prior year's megahit in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, this quite enjoyable action/adventure film is set in colonial Australia in the early 19th century, when England sent its condemned criminals to work out sentences of hard labor in penal colonies, much to the consternation of the local government and its settlers. Suave Irish Captain Michael Fury (Aherne) dons his Robin Hood cap, escapes from the colony, aided by his kleptomaniac assistant, Blackie (McLaglen), and helps the settlers fight off the acquisitional threats of corrupt landowner Trist (Zucco). There's action and humor aplenty. The production values are top notch. The film earned a deserved Oscar nom for Art Direction but its impeccable Cinematography, Editing and Score deserved recognition as well (especially the latter with its interesting string tremolo effects). Knowing this was filmed in California adds some amusement to the landscape, even with one scene of imported kangaroos just to put us off guard. Aherne is suave and romantic, McLaglen is cantankerous and amusing. All of course comes right in the end. Very enjoyable and worth a watch.
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