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The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Errol Flynn stars in swashbuckling family delight.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Prince John extorts and approves the torture of Englishmen because they are Saxon instead of Norman. He plans to overthrow his brother. He's also an effeminate man, pairing villainous deeds with stereotypically gay characteristics.

  • Violence:

    A lot of sword fighting, ambushes, and people who die from hanging, arrows to the heart, and stabs, but it's all bloodless and not realistic looking. Robin also talks about countrymen being tortured, with ears being cut off, eyes burned with hot irons, and other gruesome attacks. Robin is captured and beaten, falling down a staircase. He's threatened with hanging. There's also talk of assassination. One main character is stabbed and killed.

  • Sex:

    Robin kisses Marion's hand and the couple kiss three times.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Prince John and his friends drink wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Parents need to know that while there's little sexuality and no foul language on display, there's a lot of old-fashioned violence: no blood, but lots of characters are hanged, extorted, skewered with swords and arrows, and generally attacked. The film's villain is an effeminate simperer, pairing villainous deeds with stereotypically gay characteristics, which could in effect demonize both together.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the film reflected what was happening in the world in 1938. It's a good opportunity to teach kids about allegories -- that is, stories that have both literal and symbolic meaning. Can viewers spot the allegories for issues at the forefront of World War II America, including labor unionism, the Holocaust, and the Great Depression? What does Robin Hood represent? Why is the idea of a resistance important?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    sbatt
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    We loved men in tights!

    Funny, high energy, just a good time movie! I highly recommend it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    sbatt
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    We loved men in tights!

    Funny, high energy, just a good time movie! I highly recommend it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    KPS
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    Classic Adventure - Lots of Fun

    This is a great movie, which has good fighting scenes and evil villains. Errol Flynn makes a good Robin Hood. I recommend this movie for kids 6 and up.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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