Lucilla | Kevin Barrett's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Lucilla’

Charming With Arrow, Sword Or Smile

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Alan Hale Sr., Basil Rathbone, Best Art Direction Oscar, Best Film Editing Oscar, Best Original Score Oscar (Korngold), Best Picture Nomination, CGI, Claude Rains, England, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Errol Flynn, Eugene Pallette, Friar Tuck, General Comments, Golden Age of Hollywood, King Richard, Little John, Lucilla, Maid Marian, Melville Cooper, Michael Curtiz, Movie Reviews, Olivia de Havilland, Prince John, Reviews, Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham, Sherwood Forest, Shrek, Sir Guy of Gisbourne, Sir Robin ("Hood") of Locksley, Technicolor, The Adventures of Robin Hoodd (1938) — movie review, Una O’Connor, Very Highly to Must See Movie Recommendation, William Keighley on May 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938) — movie review
Today’s review is for the classic Technicolor swashbuckler “The Adventures of Robin Hood”, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and starring Errol Flynn as Robin Hood (the bold, laughing outlaw who defies tyranny with charm, skill, and a sense of justice); Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian (initially loyal to the crown, gradually moved by Robin’s courage and compassion); Una O’Connor as Bess (Marian’s sharp-tongued, loyal handmaiden who sees more than she lets on); Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne (cold, ambitious, and eager to crush Robin for personal and political gain); Claude Rains as Prince John (scheming, vain, and delighted to tax England into misery); Melville Cooper as the Sheriff of Nottingham (smug, petty, and all too happy to enforce Prince John’s cruelty for his own benefit); Eugene Pallette as Friar Tuck (jovial, stubborn, and surprisingly handy with a staff); and Alan Hale Sr. as Little John (Robin’s loyal second-in-command — big-hearted, strong, and always ready for a fight). Together, they bring to life one of early Hollywood’s most enduring adventure tales — bright colors, sword fights, and all.

Background: I’ve seen this movie several times over the years — mostly on TV as a kid and now streaming in a beautifully restored version. “The Adventures of Robin Hood” is one of the crown jewels of the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won three: Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score (Erich Wolfgang Korngold). Historically, it’s significant as one of the earliest major films shot entirely in three-strip Technicolor — and it remains one of the best uses of that process. The movie also cemented Errol Flynn’s status as the definitive Robin Hood for generations. This is one of those films that helped define the adventure genre itself.

Plot: With King Richard held captive abroad, Prince John seizes power in England and begins bleeding the people dry through oppressive taxes. Sir Robin of Locksley rebels, forming a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest to protect the poor and resist John’s tyranny. Robin’s daring raids, cheerful defiance, and sense of justice make him a hero to the people — and a target for Prince John and Sir Guy. Marian, initially skeptical of Robin, gradually sees the truth of the suffering around her and becomes an ally. The story builds through ambushes, disguises, archery contests, and sword fights, culminating in Robin’s rescue of King Richard and the downfall of Prince John’s plot. It’s straightforward, energetic, and told with absolute confidence.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; iconic performances; gorgeous Technicolor visuals; a few dated moments; absolutely.

Any good? Yes. This is one of the great adventure films — joyful, confident, and completely unashamed of being a big, colorful swashbuckler. The story is simple, but it’s told with such energy and sincerity that it still works today. The pacing is brisk, the action is fun, and the tone is light without being silly. It’s the kind of movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers it with style.

Acting: Errol Flynn is perfect as Robin Hood — charismatic, athletic, and effortlessly charming. He plays Robin with a grin that makes the whole rebellion feel fun rather than grim. Olivia de Havilland brings warmth and intelligence to Marian, giving the romance more weight than you might expect. Basil Rathbone is excellent as Sir Guy — sharp, controlled, and dangerous — and his final duel with Flynn is still one of the best sword fights ever filmed. Claude Rains is delightfully oily as Prince John. The supporting cast (Pallette, Hale, and the rest) rounds things out with humor and heart.

Filming / FX: The Technicolor photography is the standout. The colors are bright, bold, and almost storybook-like — greens, reds, and golds that pop off the screen. The sets and costumes are lavish, and the outdoor Sherwood Forest scenes feel alive. The action scenes are cleanly staged, with real stunts, real swords, and real arrows (some of which were famously shot by professional archers into stuntmen wearing padded armor — not CGI!). The score by Korngold is sweeping and heroic, and it basically set the template for adventure-movie music for decades. Everything feels handcrafted and vibrant.

Problems: A few . The tone is very “1930s Hollywood,” which means some characters are broad and the dialogue can be theatrical. The romance is sweet but moves quickly. Prince John and Sir Guy are fun villains, but not especially deep. Some of the humor is dated, and the movie’s sense of medieval England is more fantasy than history. None of this hurts the film — it’s just part of its era and charm.

Did I enjoy the film? Absolutely. This is one of those movies that always puts a smile on my face. The energy, the color, the sword fights, the music — it all works. It’s light, fun, and endlessly re-watchable. Flynn’s performance alone is worth the time, and the whole production has a confidence and joy that modern adventure films sometimes lack. It’s pure entertainment, done with craftsmanship and heart.

Final Recommendation: Very highly recommended to MUST see. “The Adventures of Robin Hood” is a landmark in adventure film making — historically important, visually stunning, and still wildly entertaining. Its Oscar wins reflect the quality of its production, and its influence can be seen in everything from later Robin Hood adaptations to modern action-adventure movies. If you enjoy classic Hollywood, swashbucklers, or just want to see one of the most charming heroes ever put on screen, this film is essential. It remains a joyful, colorful, and wonderfully crafted classic. Final note: You MUST see this movie if you really want to understand “Shrek“… LoL

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Click here (5 May) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Best Actor Oscar (Crowe), Best Costume Design Oscar, Best Picture Oscar, Best Sound Oscar, Best Visual Effects Oscar, Colosseum, Commodus, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, General Comments, Gladiator (2000) — movie review, Hans Zimmer, Joaquin Phoenix, Juba, Lisa Gerrard, Lucilla, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Movie Reviews, Oliver Reed, Proximo, Reviews, Ridley Scott, Roman Senate, Rome, Russell Crowe, Sword-and-Sandles Epic, Very Highly Recommended Movie on May 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Gladiator” (2000) — movie review
Today’s review is for the historical action‑drama “Gladiator”, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius (a loyal Roman general betrayed by the new emperor and forced into slavery, fighting his way back toward justice); Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus (the insecure, manipulative son of Marcus Aurelius whose hunger for power drives the story’s conflict); Connie Nielsen as Lucilla (Maximus’ former love and Commodus’ sister, caught between survival and conscience); Oliver Reed as Proximo (the gruff, pragmatic gladiator-trainer who sees potential in Maximus); Djimon Hounsou as Juba (a fellow slave and fighter who becomes Maximus’ closest friend in the arena); and Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius (the aging philosopher-emperor whose death sets the tragedy in motion). Together, they anchor a story of loyalty, revenge, corruption, and the brutal spectacle of Rome at its height.

Background: I first saw the original “Gladiator” in theaters back in 2000, and I remember being struck by how “big” it felt — not just in action, but also in emotion. This extended edition adds roughly 15 minutes of footage, mostly character beats and political texture, which deepen the story without changing its arc. The film was a major awards contender / winner. It received twelve Academy Award nominations and won five: including Best Picture, Best Actor (Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. Historically, “Gladiator” is credited with reviving the sword-and-sandals epic, a genre that had been dormant for decades. This film was also one of Ridley Scott’s most commercially successful films and helped redefine large-scale historical dramas for the 21st century. I’ve seen the theatrical cut several times over the years, but I believe this was my first full viewing of the extended edition. I haven’t seen the regular version recently enough to comment if this version is a substantial upgrade or not.

Plot: The story begins on the German frontier, where General Maximus leads Rome’s armies to victory. Emperor Marcus Aurelius privately tells Maximus he intends to name him protector of Rome until the Senate can restore the Republic. Commodus, learning he will not inherit the throne, murders his father and orders Maximus executed. Maximus escapes but returns home to find his family murdered. Captured by slavers, he is sold to Proximo and forced to fight as a gladiator. His skill and leadership quickly make him a crowd favorite, and he eventually reaches Rome, where Commodus (now emperor of Rome) uses the arena to consolidate his power. Maximus hides his identity at first, but when he reveals himself in the Colosseum, Commodus is shaken. Lucilla and several senators secretly work with Maximus to overthrow Commodus and restore the Republic. The extended edition adds scenes showing the Senate’s internal struggles and Commodus’ increasing paranoia. The story builds toward a final confrontation in the arena, where Maximus, wounded and exhausted, kills Commodus but dies shortly after. His death inspires the Senate to reclaim authority, and Juba buries Maximus’ small tokens of home in the arena sand, promising they will meet again.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent; powerful and immersive; a few; yes.

Any good? Yes. “Gladiator” remains one of the most compelling historical epics of the last few decades. I’ve read the extended edition doesn’t radically change the film, but it enriches the political stakes and gives a bit more context to Commodus’ insecurity and Lucilla’s impossible position. As stated above, the changes weren’t big enough for me to notice / remember. The emotional through‑line (Maximus’ grief, loyalty, and drive for justice) still hits hard and is the core of the hero’s motivation (revenge). The movie balances action, character drama, and political intrigue in a way that feels both old-fashioned and modern. It’s a strong, confident film that earns its big moments.

Acting: Crowe carries the movie with a realistic, physical performance that never feels showy. His Maximus is stoic, wounded, and quietly intense, and the emotional scenes land because he underplays them. Phoenix is excellent as Commodus — insecure, jealous, and dangerous in a way that feels all too human. Connie Nielsen brings dignity and sadness to Lucilla, and her scenes with Phoenix are some of the film’s most tense. Oliver Reed (in his final role) gives Proximo a mix of cynicism and rough mentorship that adds texture to the middle act. Djimon Hounsou provides heart and warmth as Juba. Richard Harris, though only in the early part of the film, sets the tone with his weary, philosophical presence. The ensemble works well together, and nobody feels out of place.

Filming / FX: Ridley Scott’s visual style is on full display: sweeping landscapes, gritty battlefields, and the grandeur of Rome recreated with a mix of practical sets and digital extensions. The opening battle is chaotic but readable, and the gladiator fights are staged with weight and impact. The extended edition includes a few additional shots and transitions, but nothing that changes the overall look. (Again, it’s hard to say though, because my memories of the theatrical version have faded. LoL) The visual effects, while dated in a few moments, still hold up remarkably well for a film from 2000. The sound design (swords, crowds, drums) adds to the immersion. The score by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard remains iconic and does a lot of emotional heavy lifting. The film feels big, lived-in, and dangerous. Note: the various shots of the Colosseum of Rome are awesome (even the slightly fuzzy exterior shots which are clearly FX)!! LoL.

Problems: A few. Some of the digital crowd shots look their age, and a couple of transitions in the extended edition feel “off” (that’s a highly technical term). Commodus can come across as overly theatrical in a few scenes (IMHO), though Phoenix mostly keeps him believable. The political subplot, while interesting, occasionally slows the pacing. The film also leans heavily into mythic heroism, which means some historical details are simplified or ignored. None of these issues break the movie, but they stand out on repeat viewings.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. “Gladiator” still works — emotionally, visually, and dramatically. The extended edition doesn’t change the core film so it’s still worth watching for fans. Maximus’ journey from general to slave to gladiator to symbol of justice is compelling, and the film’s mix of action and character drama still feels satisfying. The final scenes (Maximus’ death, Commodus’ downfall, and Juba’s quiet farewell) remain moving. I enjoyed it as much now as I did when it first came out.

Final Recommendation: Very highly recommended. “Gladiator” is a modern classic — a well-made, emotionally resonant epic with strong performances and memorable visuals. Its Academy Awards reflect the film’s impact, and its historical significance in reviving the large-scale epic is undeniable. The extended edition adds depth without disrupting the story. If you enjoy historical dramas, action films, or Ridley Scott’s work, this one is a MUST see.

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Click here (4 May) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.