They don't build sets like this anymore.

Coming right on the heels of the success of The Mark of Zorro and The Three Musketeers, Douglas Fairbanks made the original feature length Hollywood version of Robin Hood. He was now the biggest action star in the world and this Robin Hood is an epic extravaganza. At a cost of 1.4 million dollars it was the most expensive Hollywood movie produced up to that time. The castle set for this movie, though not as visually spectacular as Griffith’s Babylonian set from Intolerance, was reportedly the biggest set ever constructed for a silent movie. Douglas Fairbank’s Robin Hood also holds the distinction of being the first movie to open with a gala premiere at Grauman’s new Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

The movie opens with a jousting contest between the Earl of Huntingdon (later to become Robin Hood) and Sir Guy of Gisbourne while what seems like all of England looks on, including the noble King Richard and his evil brother Prince John. Pageantry of the medieval variety abounds and it is easy to see where all the money was spent.

Unfortunately the story is slow in starting. Eventually, after feasting and celebrating and a bit of romancing with Maid Marian, the Earl of Huntingdon departs with King Richard and company for the crusades. Later a message is sent to him from Marian telling of the evil deeds of Prince John acting as Regent. Huntingdon leaves the crusades and returns to England where Robin Hood is born.

We don’t see Fairbanks as the merry rogue until well over an hour into the movie. Yes it is impressive to the eye but the story needed to be sped along. The final hour, however, is filled with brilliant nonstop action leading to a proper smashing ending.

Douglas Fairbanks wasn’t the most handsome man in Hollywood but he was an amazing acrobat, especially when you consider that he was pushing 40 at the time. He performs several notable stunts, the most famous being where he escapes from the castle by sliding down a huge curtain. Every move the guy makes as Robin Hood is graceful, he never just walks, he prances.

The supporting cast is good. Wallace Beery, who was often cast as the heavy, gets to play the noble King Richard the Lion-Hearted. Alan Hale created his signature role as Little John for this movie. He would reprise the part alongside Errol Flynn for the more famous The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1938 and it would be his last screen role alongside John Derek in 1950’s Rogues of Sherwood Forest.

The ending of the silent era was a unique period in cinema history. Movies that were cutting edge big budget spectacles one minute became forgotten relics the next. Thankfully many of these movies have survived to an age where they are being once again appreciated for the art form that they were. Robin Hood is too long and perhaps even overproduced but it is nonetheless an impressive achievement that deserves more recognition than it has received.
 

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