Leofwine_draca
THE MEN OF SHERWOOD FOREST is another version of the Robin Hood story, shot by Exclusive/Hammer Films in 1954. It deserves note as the first Hammer film made in colour, but although it looks sufficiently nice, the plot is hackneyed and predictable. The film is yet another version of the old story which was filmed so often, both on TV and in film, throughout the 1950s and 1960s. American actor Don Taylor, best known for his directorial career in later years, is miscast as the arrogant hero and the Merry Men are particularly undistinguishable, aside from an entertaining Reginald Beckwith as Friar Tuck. Decent cast members, such as Ballard Berkeley and Douglas Wilmer, are few and far between here. There's the occasional action scene dotted amid the rough plotting, but the choreography is rather disappointing and one gets the impression that director Val Guest's heart simply wasn't in it.
malcolmgsw
This film came out about one year before the Richard Greene TV series.Although the later was made on a small budget at Walton studios it comes out as infinitely superior to this film.It looks as if Hammer have blown the budget on the Eastman colour.Everything else seems to have been done on the cheap.There seem to be very few inhabitants of the forest or the castle.The situations are quite poor and the action scenes not very exciting.Don Taylor makes an undistinguished Robin Hood.In fact the only decent actor in the bunch is Reginald Beckwith who does a good turn as Friar Tuck.A big problem is that there isn't a decent Sheriff.Alas no Claude Rains or Peter Cushing.So all told a fairly uninspiring effort.
dbborroughs
Hammer produced Robin Hood film is probably one of the best films with the character. While by no means the Errol Flynn film this is one of the best of the smaller scale films that have appeared over the years. To be certain its no epic, but while some may consider that a draw back I really don't since it allows for the characters and performances to come out. Don Taylor is really good as Robin. He's extremely likable and the sort of man you'd want on your side. The rest of his band is equally as good and its easy to understand why they were considered Merry.I have never really understood why this film isn't better known. I originally discovered this film as the lesser part of a double feature video tape I don't know how many years ago. I was completely surprised by it when I saw it because I expected it to be a waste of time. I was wrong and I've seen the film numerous times over the years. I have always been mystified that almost no one know that this film exists. I've shown it to several of my friends who have been equally confused that this film has been left to gather dust on the film library shelves some where.I can't recommend this film enough. While I freely admit its not perfect I do think its a really good adventure and a fine variation on an oft told tale.
ccmiller1492
Although this film is on a modest, low-budget scale, it is an amiable and worthy successor to Erroll Flynn's more spectacular heroics. Handsome and agile Don Taylor inhabits the character of Robin as naturally as if he were born for it. Even though he's an American actor among an otherwise totally British cast, the doughty Taylor never strikes a wrong note and is perfectly at ease carrying on his exploits at a brisk pace in a strikingly comfortable medieval ambiance.
AD
