The Adventures Of Robin Hood ( 1938 )

[George Bellefontaine]

I picked this up on Blu-ray last week and got around to watching it last night. All I can say about the PQ is WOW ! I was 2 years old when this was released in theaters and by the time I was old enough to appreciate seeing it in a theater, the picture was well worn and filled with streaks. Seeing this in hi-def is probably like seeing it during its first showing on film. Clean, crisp, and downright gorgeous. I am so happy with this purchase.

BTW, this is the best version ever made of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Basil Rathbone as the evil Sir Guy.

If you never seen this before, rent it ( or buy it ) on Blu-ray and give yourself a treat.

[Ovation]

I have the HD DVD and it is spectacular. I really like the option "A Night at the Movies" with the newsreel, cartoon and so on. A must have in any serious film collector's library.

[H.T.C]

Does the color still look good on that print ?

I remember viewing the movie on amc and it did not appear the two- strip technocolor (i believe thats the format) had a negative aspect at all.

On blu-ray must be even better !

[George Bellefontaine]

Does the color still look good on that print ?

Absolutely. It's hard to believe that a 70 year old film can look so good.

[Chris D]

Yeah, I Netflixed it on HD-DVD. Thought it was decent, although understandably cheezy, given the age of the film.

[Bob]

The color still looks good because it was Technicolor 3 strip. The dyes they used are still holding up. That's why movies like Gone With The Wind and Robin Hood still look amazing after all this time, without the need for digital correction.

There are only two negatives in regarding picture quality for these old Technicolor movies. At that time it was the only color film available so the studios and cameramen were at the mercy of the film company. Technicolor demanded that the cinematographer used high foot candles and low contrast. They had a woman, whose name I have forgotten, that would go to the sets and measure the lights to make sure that these rules were being adhered to. The great cinematographer, James Wong Howe, was banned from the industry for 10 years because he ignored Technicolors rules and used low light levels with high contrast. Creating the same dark dramatic images that he was famous for when using black and white. This is why so many Technicolor films look overly vibrant. Even the lipstick colors and wardrobe colors were dictated by the Technicolor company. You can't help but notice the use of very vibrant primary colors used in many of those films.

The second negative is really sad. In the early days of TV, late forties until the early sixties, of course there was only black and white. TV was mostly live and there wasn't enough programing to fill the day (TV stations went off the air at night for those of you to young to remember). So, the stations would purchase these older films to show in the evenings. Since TV was black and white the networks didn't want to go through the expense of keeping all three negatives that made up the colored film. So, they would throw two away and only keep one. Because of this many Technicolor films will never be seen the way they originally were. Even digital restoration doesn't recreate the look of the original film.

[George Bellefontaine]

Wow. Thank you Bob for all that interesting information. I see what you are saying about the vibrant colors of those old technicolor prints.

[H.T.C]

Yeah,that was cool but i dont know where i got that 2-strip color from,sorry about that.

I dont know much about the golden age of television or (radio for that matter) although i have family members that do.

[George Bellefontaine]

I dont know much about the golden age of television or (radio for that matter) although i have family members that do.

You would if you were an old fart like me, Robert ...

[P-Dub]

Wow, this is one of my favourite films. I wonder how it looks on 'regular' dvd.

But another good reason to buy a BR player.

[H.T.C]

You would if you were an old fart like me, Robert ...

Lol, i think some of the (am) stations are replaying the 1950(s) lights out show.

[George Bellefontaine]

Wow, this is one of my favourite films. I wonder how it looks on 'regular' dvd.

But another good reason to buy a BR player.

It wasn't available in my area when it was relased on dvd,Paul , but I read a review on it somewhere and they say the dvd transfer was stunning as well.

[bigburner]

BTW, this is the best version ever made of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn

I wouldn't argue with you George but who could ever forget Richard Greene?

Nigel.

[George Bellefontaine]

Oh, yes, I do recall the tv series. I feel that the 1938 film version is best ( even though as Chris said, it's cheesy ) because it was one of the top adventure films of its day and set the course for future versions of Rob Hood. Of course, by today's standards, it probably leaves a lot to be desired. Yet, Kevin Costner's version, even though I am a big fan of his, didn't do much for me.

[Gump]

... who could ever forget Richard Greene?

Nigel.

Mercifully, I had until now....
Thanks Nigel.