Production manager: Bryan Coates. Producer: Clifford Parkes. Executive producer: Michael Carreras. A Hammer Film, released by Warner-Pathe in the U.K., by 20th Century Fox in Australia and the U.S.A. Australian and U.S. prints in color by DeLuxe. 8,641 feet. 96 minutes. Registered: July 1967. "U" certificate. (An excellent Optimum DVD).
Copyright 31 December 1967 by Hammer Film Productions — Seven Arts Productions. No New York opening. U.S. release: June 1968. U.K. release: 24 December 1967. Australian release: 2 May 1968. Cut to 85 minutes in the U.S.A.
NOTES: A rare cinema role for prolific TV actor, Barrie Ingham, plus a school holiday hit in many capital cities, "A Challenge for Robin Hood" drew surprisingly enthusiastic crowds.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: Although the censors all regard this movie as immensely suitable for general exhibition, I think otherwise. I would rate this attraction as borderline.
COMMENT: One would think it impossible to offer any new embellishments of the Robin Hood legend, but screenwriter Peter Bryan has done just that. More time is spent establishing the characters than in previous versions, there is another brother (well played by Eric Woolfe) and the familiar characters are all introduced in an unusual way.
I particularly like Maid Marian's entrance and the deft way the director and his astute film editor penetrate her disguise. The conclusion, too, with its note of further peril to come is in marked contrast to all other versions and is probably unique for this sort of period adventure. Mind you, it was probably inspired by the demands of television, but nonetheless
The acting is uniformly pleasing, with John Arnatt as the Sheriff of Nottingham taking over the mantle of the late Basil Rathbone and wearing it with ease. He has some sharp dialogue and he handles it impeccably.
As might be expected in a Hammer production, the film is loaded with violent action, most of it well done. The climax is superbly staged. We like the way the director keeps the aged steward crouching in the background, watching on, and the sheriff picking his way carefully through the outskirts of the action.
The fighting itself is handled with considerable relish and is most convincingly and excitingly staged. The vibrant Color by Technicolor photography is a decided asset and the music score rates as excitingly melodious.
Copyright 31 December 1967 by Hammer Film Productions — Seven Arts Productions. No New York opening. U.S. release: June 1968. U.K. release: 24 December 1967. Australian release: 2 May 1968. Cut to 85 minutes in the U.S.A.
NOTES: A rare cinema role for prolific TV actor, Barrie Ingham, plus a school holiday hit in many capital cities, "A Challenge for Robin Hood" drew surprisingly enthusiastic crowds.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: Although the censors all regard this movie as immensely suitable for general exhibition, I think otherwise. I would rate this attraction as borderline.
COMMENT: One would think it impossible to offer any new embellishments of the Robin Hood legend, but screenwriter Peter Bryan has done just that. More time is spent establishing the characters than in previous versions, there is another brother (well played by Eric Woolfe) and the familiar characters are all introduced in an unusual way.
I particularly like Maid Marian's entrance and the deft way the director and his astute film editor penetrate her disguise. The conclusion, too, with its note of further peril to come is in marked contrast to all other versions and is probably unique for this sort of period adventure. Mind you, it was probably inspired by the demands of television, but nonetheless
The acting is uniformly pleasing, with John Arnatt as the Sheriff of Nottingham taking over the mantle of the late Basil Rathbone and wearing it with ease. He has some sharp dialogue and he handles it impeccably.
As might be expected in a Hammer production, the film is loaded with violent action, most of it well done. The climax is superbly staged. We like the way the director keeps the aged steward crouching in the background, watching on, and the sheriff picking his way carefully through the outskirts of the action.
The fighting itself is handled with considerable relish and is most convincingly and excitingly staged. The vibrant Color by Technicolor photography is a decided asset and the music score rates as excitingly melodious.