The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
Directed by Henry Levin, George Sherman

Film Review

The Bandit of Sherwood Forest gives The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) a good run for its money with its vibrant Technicolor palette but pales in comparison in just about every other respect.  Despite his physical prowess and nifty swordplay Cornel Wilde is a poor substitute for Errol Flynn, lacking charisma and failing not to sound like a machine recorded message with every line he utters.  The phoney English accents seem to afflict just about every member of the cast and the only bright spot on the acting front is a wonderfully villainous turn from Henry Daniell, clearly in his element as the thoroughly wicked William of Pembroke.  (If Daniell hadn't been such a successful character actor he could easily have enjoyed a career in pantomime.)  Despite a hopelessly pedestrian plot, some glaring historical inaccuracies (the writers obviously mistook Magna Carta for something directly akin to the American Bill of Rights) and generally lacklustre performances the film somehow manages to hold onto its dignity, thanks mainly to some enthusiastically staged fight scenes and a smattering of humour.  It's not the most distinguished Sherwood Forest romp, but it's mildly entertaining, worth watching for Henry Daniell's seductive surfeit of camp villainy.

Film Synopsis

It has been some years since Robin Hood and his merry men thwarted the tyranny of King John and brought justice to the people of England.  Now the country is governed by William of Pembroke, the regent to the boy king Henry III.  When he learns that Pembroke intends to revoke Magna Carta and depose the king, the ageing Robin assembles his erstwhile comrades in arms and plans to fight back, with the help of his son Robert.  Assisted by Lady Catherine, companion to the Queen Mother, Robert gains access to Pembroke's castle but is captured as Robin's men mount a successful bid to rescue King Henry.  Pembroke challenges Robert to a duel, a contest which he has absolutely no intention of losing...