Robin Hood: A Cinematic History of the English Outlaw and His Scottish Counterparts

by Scott Allen Nollen

From Errol Flynn to Kevin Costner to Daffy Duck, the bandit of Sherwood Forest has gone through a variety of incarnations on the way to becoming a cinematic staple. The historic Robin Hood-actually an amalgam of several outlaws of medieval England-was continually transformed by oral tradition to become the romantic and deadly archer-swordsman who "robbed from the rich to give to the poor." This image was reinforced by popular literature, song and, in the 20th century, cinema. This volume provides in-depth information on each film based on the immortal hero. In addition, other historical figures such as Scottish rebel-outlaws Rob Roy MacGregor and William Wallace are examined. Nollen also explores nontraditional representations of the legend, such as Frank Sinatra's Robin and the Seven Hoods and Westerns featuring the Robin Hood motif. A filmography is provided, including production information, and the text is highlighted by rare photographs, advertisements, and illustrations.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several books in one

There are several theories and much speculation about whether there was a real Robin Hood or a combination of heroes and characters that compose Robin Hood. Understanding these theories helps to understand the cinematic robin hoods.
The first half of this book is not the cinematic Robin Hood but a tight and cohesive history of great Brittan with an emphasis on the origin of the Robin Hood legends.
The second half of the book that covers the Cinema does just that. Not only does it cover the actors that play Robin, but all the people and props that go into making the legend.
Contents tell it all:
Part I: Robin Hood in History
1. Sad Stories of the Death of Kings (1166-1276)
a. Early Outlaws of England
b. The End of Norman Rule
c. Richard the Lionheart
d. King John
e. Robert Hod, Outlaw, and Other Rebels
2. Was Robin Hood a Scot? (1066-1329)
a. The Hammer of the Scots
b. Sir William Wallace
c. Robert the Bruce, King of Scots
d. Wallace, Bruce, and Robin Hood
3. English Rebels and Hoods (1322-1450)

Part II: Robin Hood in the Story and Song
4. From Minsterel’s Yeoman to Playwright’s Aristocrat (1400-1700)
5. Robin Returns to Scotland
a. The making of an Outlaw
6. Storybook Outlaws (1771-1900)
a. Fascination with Tradition
i. The Scottish Chiefs
ii. Rob Roy
iii. Ivanhoe

Part III: Robin Hood on the Screen
7. Shadow of Sherwood: Early Silent Films (1908-1913)
8. No Heavy Footed Englishman: Robin Hood (1922)
9. Fluent Treason: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
10. A round of Robins: Variations on a Legend (1946-1954)
11. Low-Budget Brigands: The Hammer Hoods (1957-1973)
12. The Chairman of the board as the Prince of Thieves: Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)
13. The Revised Robin: Robin and Marian (1976)
14. Beverly Hills or Barnesdale? 91991)
15. Robin’s Caledonian Renaissance (1995)
16. Wither the Greenwood?