Columbia Pictures reportedly spent about $1 million on this fairly robust entertainment, chronicling the adventures of Robert of Huntington (American star Cornel Wilde), the son of the legendary Robin Hood (Russell Hicks). It's 20 years since Hood Sr.'s adventures, and there's a new tyrant to deal with, the nefarious William of Pembroke (ever-reliable Henry Daniell). This piece of work wants to murder the current boy-king (Maurice Tauzin) and become king himself. But Robin still associates with his legendary Merrie-Men, and is soon joined by Robert, who's just as adept at handling swords and bows & arrows.
A first-rate cast (Jill Esmond as the queen, Anita Louise as Roberts' love interest Lady Catherine, Edgar Buchanan as Friar Tuck, George Macready as Fitz-Herbert, Ray Teal as Little John, etc.) helps to make this very pleasant if nothing altogether special. While there is enough violence on hand, very little of it is actually bloody, and the action is well-executed. The music is by Hugo Friedhofer, who'd worked on the very popular Errol Flynn Robin Hood movie, and it's appropriately rousing. The athletic and charismatic Wilde is a fine choice for the dashing lead, who has a sense of humour and a very confident attitude. Daniell is, as always, a perfect movie villain. You only have to know him briefly to know that he's pure evil. But what really makes the difference is the fact that Columbia shot this in Technicolor, which gives the adventure a degree of freshness. Some of the colours just pop off the screen.
Screenplay credited to Wilfrid H. Pettitt & Melvin Levy, based on a story by Paul A. Castleton & Pettitt and a novel by Castleton. Henry Levin and George Sherman share director credit, but maintain an effective unity of vision.
Six out of 10.
