posted October 07, 2008 10:14 AM
Here's a rip roaring swashbuckler in the grand tradition of Errol Flynn's ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD but of course not quite as good!!
The very simple plot involves the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham stealing a castle from a returning knight who has been away fighting in the crusades and plotting to marry his intended bride to someone else,of course Mr Hood saves the day using a variety of disguises.
This version also known as ROBIN HOOD-THE INVINCIBLE ARCHER was filmed in 1970 as an Italian/Spanish co-production and dubbed into english pretty badly as per most of the co-productions of that period.
Techno Films of Italy have cut the original 84 minute feature down to 3 x 400ft which condenses most of the story quite nicely and lavished some very nice packaging on it as all 3 reels are housed in cassette type cases with full colour inlays ( you know the ones if dropped break into a 1000 pieces!!! ) and are held together in a very sturdy cardboard slipcase-very nice.
The print in widescreen 1.85.1 isn't too bad either considering it was taken from a colour original,quite sharp with decent gradeing which does vary from reel to reel though,I believe Techno Films also released a color version of this too.
Keith Perry used to be the sole UK distributor for these 3 x 400ft deluxe releases which included BLACKIE THE PIRATE with Terence Hill/Bud Spencer,LOADED GUNS,GONE WITH THE WEST,THE ADVENTURE with Anthony Quinn,KILL ROMMELL,THE QUIET MAN etc.
This film is good swashbuckling fun so it's well worth tracking down a copy.