Rogues of Sherwood Forest

Rogues of Sherwood Forest
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGordon Douglas
Written byGeorge Bruce
Ralph Gilbert Bettison
Produced byFred M. Packard
StarringJohn Derek
Diana Lynn
George Macready
Alan Hale, Sr.
CinematographyCharles Lawton Jr.
Edited byGene Havlick
Music byMario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Heinz Roemheld
Arthur Morton
Production
company
Columbia Pictures
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • June 21, 1950 (1950-06-21)
Running time
79 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Rogues of Sherwood Forest is a 1950 Technicolor adventure film produced and released by Columbia Pictures. The film was directed by Gordon Douglas and stars John Derek, Diana Lynn, George Macready and Alan Hale, Sr. in his final film appearance.

Plot

Following the death of Richard the Lionheart, evil King John plans to retain his power by importing mercenaries and paying them through oppressive taxation. King John first attempts to kill Robin, the son of longtime nemesis Robin Hood. When Flemish knight Sir Baldric challenges Robin, the Earl of Huntingdon, to a joust, the king's henchmen fix a faulty protective cap to Sir Baldric's lance. Surviving the lance attack, Robin challenges Sir Baldric to joust without using protective devices, successfully impaling his opponent.

Having returned from the Crusades, Robin and Little John once again recruit the aging Merrie Men, who wage a successful guerrilla-type war throughout the realm. They cleverly use intelligence provided by messages attached to Lady Marianne's carrier pigeons to aid them in their successful campaign to defeat King John.

Robin and the archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton are able to compel the defeated King John to seal Magna Carta, establishing the rights of all Englishmen.[1]

Cast

Production

The film's working title was Swords of Sherwood Forest.[2] The film is essentially a remake of The Bandit of Sherwood Forest.[3]

Gig Young was the first choice to play the role of Prince John but was suspended by Columbia Pictures when he refused the part.[4] The film also marked John Derek's first leading role[3] and Alan Hale's third time playing Little John. He had played the part opposite Douglas Fairbanks in 1922 and Errol Flynn in 1938.

The film was photographed in Technicolor, with location shooting taking place at Corriganville Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California.[5]

Reception

In a contemporary review for The Philadelphia Inquirer, critic Mildred Martin wrote: "[The film] is on the whole a pallid imitation of 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' ... However, the new film lacks the lusty excitement of its 1938 predecessor and while Robin, Jr. is active enough, in all conscience, he never approximates the vigor or ingenuity of his dad. Or, for that matter, of Cornel Wilde seen as Robin's boy in 'The Bandit of Sherwood Forest' in 1946.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ p.56 Fraser, George MacDonald, The Hollywood History of the World, Penguin Book group, 1988
  2. ^ Brady, Thomas F. (July 15, 1949). "Paramount Seeks 'Detective Story'". The New York Times. p. 17.
  3. ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (November 5, 2024). "The Cinema of John Derek, Movie Star". Filmink. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) – Notes – TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 22, 2011.
  5. ^ p.356 Schneider, Jerry L., Corriganville Movie Ranch, Lulu.com 2007
  6. ^ Martin, Mildred (July 31, 1950). "'Sherwood Forest Rogues' On Screen at Stanley". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 22.
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