Robin Hood is a silent movie released in 1922 by United Artists starring Douglas Fairbanks. Others in the cast include Wallace Beery, Sam De Grasse, Enid Bennett, Paul Dickey, William Lowery, Willard Louis, Alan Hale, Bud Geary and Lloyd Talman. Robin Hood was the first film ever to make a Hollywood premiere, held at the Egyptian Theatre in October 18, 1922.

This swashbuckler adventure, legendary tale of the Medieval hero, Robin Hood, was the first production to present many of the elements of the legend that became familiar to movie audiences in later versions. One of the most expensive movies of the 1920s, an entire 12th century village of Nottingham was constructed. The story was adapted for the screen by Fairbanks (as "Elton Thomas"), Kenneth Davenport, Edward Knoblock, Allan Dwan and Lotta Woods. It was produced by Fairbanks for his own production company, Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corporation, and was directed by Allan Dwan.

The opening has the dashing Earl of Huntingdon (played by Fairbanks) besting his bitter enemy, Sir Guy of Gisbourne (played by Paul Dickey), in a joust. Huntingdon then joins King Richard the Lion-Hearted (played by Wallace Beery) who is going off to fight in the Crusades and has left his brother, Prince John (played by Sam De Grasse), as regent. The prince soon emerges as a cruel, treacherous tyrant. Goaded on by Sir Guy, he usurps Richard's throne. When Huntingdon receives a message from his paramour, Lady Marian Fitzwalter (played by Enid Bennett), telling him of all that has transpired, he returns to England, endangering his life and honor, to oppose Prince John and restore King Richard's throne. He finds himself, and his friends, outlawed, and Marian apparently dead.

Huntingdon returns to Nottingham and adopts the name of Robin Hood, acrobatic champion of the oppressed. Leading a band that steals from the rich to give to the poor, including Friar Tuck (played by Willard Louis), Little John (played by Alan Hale), Will Scarlett (played by Bud Geary) and Allan-a-Dale (played by Lloyd Talman), he labors to set things right through swashbuckling feats and makes life miserable for Prince John and his cohorts, Sir Guy and the Sheriff of Nottingham (played by William Lowery). After rescuing Marian from Prince John's prison, Robin is captured. The timely reappearance of King Richard returns him to Marian and foils the efforts of Prince John.

The budget for the film is estimated at approximately one million dollars.

External links

• Robin Hood (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013556/) at the Internet Movie Database