L'arciere di fuoco

Greatest adventure of the centuries ¡ , greatest thrill of the screen ¡ an adventure the world has thrilled to for centuries , in a picture it will never forget . He lives again , a hero of every villain , friend to those who have friends . In 13th century England , here Giuliano Gemma is the heir to the Nottingham dukedom who is stolen of his heritage. He becomes Robin Hood (Giuliano Gemma at his swashbuckling best) who joins a brave warrior called Allan (Mark Damon) and a band of marauders confronting corruption of wicked Sir Robert (Luis Davila at his evil best ) and Sir Guy Gisbourne (Pierre Cressoy ) and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power , foiling evil Prince John Lackland . When the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence , a Saxon archer named Robin Hood fights back as the outlaw leader of a rebel guerrilla army . The legendary Sherwood forest's hero Robin Locksly again and Lady Marian (lovely Maid Silvia Dionisio) along with his Merrie men brought by him : Will Scarlett (Manuel Zarzo) , Friar Tuck (Mari Adorf) and Little John (Nello Pazzafini). Story is indirectly based on historic events and is developed after third Crusade when Richard Lion Heart conquered Acre . In route England Richard was captured by Henry VII of Germany and ransomed by his own subjects . But Richard returns England to put down a revolt against him though his brother John without Land takes over the kingdom with his underlings evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne and Sheriff of Nottingham .

This swashbuckler has great action sequences well staged with stylish and vitality , adventure , romance , outstanding final dueling and is pretty entertaining . There are great action sequences including the battles in forests and the ending confrontation at the climax of the film . Funny and fun movie with stylish gowns , noisy action , brawls , fights , and sword-play . Here Robin joins the already-established 'Merrie Men' and becomes their chief against the villains . Including atmospheric as well as evocative cinematography and an agreeable score , as musician Gianni Ferrio composes an attractive soundtrack , well conducted and including a splendid leitmotif ; it's full of enjoyable sounds and really emotive , including catching songs . Casting is frankly well , the famous main players as stalwart Giuliano Gemma is very fine and Silvia Dionisio is memorable and attractive , she comes up the film as a valiant and obstinate heroine . They are backed up by fine support actors such as Manuel Zarzo , Mario Adorf , Nello Pazzafini , Pierre Cressoy , Helga Liné . Special mention to treacherous Sir Robert magnetically performed by Luis Davila and Daniele Dublino as evil and crazed king in an appealing interpretation as Prince John . Even the smallest characters are well represented as Nazzareno Zamperla , Giovanni Cianfriglia and Antonio Pica , among others .

It packs an atmospheric and stirring soundtrack by Gianni Ferrio , including some songs . Colorful cinematography in glimmer Eastmancolor . Musical score , settings , cinematography , acceptable performances abound , all of them help place this Italian movie the very best adventure film . I found it fun , entertaining , thrilling , well-acted, and fast-paced . The flick was professionally directed by Giorgo Ferroni , an expert on Peplum . As he directed ¨The war of Troy¨ with Steve Reeves ,¨Hercules against Molock¨ and ¨Il Colosso Di Roma¨ with Gordon Scott . He also directed Western as "Fort Yuma Gold" , ¨Wanted¨ , "Blood for a Silver Dollar" , Wartime as ¨Battle of El Alamein¨ and Terror in acceptable results as ¨ Mill of the stone woman¨ and "Night of the Devils" .

The film is partially based on true events. Although Ivanhoe didn't exist, John Lackland was king of England from 1199 to 1216. Few monarchs have been subject to such appalling publicity as John . Although by no means lovable, he was an able administrator and spent more time in England than his predecessor and elder brother Richard I but he was jailed by Leopold of Austria, returning from Crusades. Being dead king Henry II , then Richard Lionheart was crowned until the third crusade (intervening along with Philip II and vanquished Acre) which was crowned John with no Land . The English domain over France will cause length conflict known the hundred years wars(1339-1453).Robin Hood, also known Robin O'Locksley and the Earl of Huntingdom, is probably and sadly a creation of romantic imaginations . If Robin Hood did exist, it's almost certain that he was not a Saxon , though his enemies may well have been the Norman sheriff of Nottinghan and Prince and later king John Lackland.

Other versions about this famous personage are the following ones : classic version ¨Robin Hood¨ by Michael Curtiz with Errol Flynn , Olivia De Havilland , Claude Rains , Basil Rathbone , Eugene Palette . ¨Robin Hood price of thieves (1991) ¨ by Kevin Reynolds with Kevin Costner , Alan Rickman and Morgan Freenan , the same year was exhibited ¨Robin Hood¨ by John Irvin with Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman but was a flop though the critics considered best adaptation . Furthermore , recent and revisionist version titled ¨Robin Hood¨(2010) by Ridley Scott with Russell Crowe , Cate Blanchet and Oscar Isaac .

Very much in the style of the Errol Flynn version of the Robin Hood tale from 1938, this is quite an enjoyable and entertaining historical romp with "Sir Henry" (Giuliano Gemma) as the wronged nobleman who leads his band of rebels against the tyranny of "Sir Robert" (Luis Dávila), his equally ruthless lady Helga Liné and of course, Prince John (Daniele Dublino). There are plenty of escapades, a bit of romance with the feisty "Lady Marianne" (Silvia Dionisio) and a cast of Hood regulars that ensure the well choreographed combat scenes keep coming thick and fast. It's been done on a small-ish budget, but luckily the sheer gusto of the ensemble as well as a good underpinning story and a jolly score from Gianni Ferrio make this at least as good as any of the British Hammer adventures from the late 1960s. As ever, the dubbing really does let it down - but with a story this well known, the quality of the dialogue is much less important and impacts less on what is really quite a watchable and colourful action-adventure film.

i just found out Guiliano Gemma passed away

i read a couple of articles about him online they all mention he did a lot of spaghetti westerns he worked with burt lancaster in 'The Leopard' and woody allen in 'To Rome With Love'

Gemma did all kinds of films,, heist thriller 'The Master Touch' with kirk douglas dark drama 'The Cats' with rita hayworth and wacky comedy 'Africa Express' with jack palance

but i think his best is 'SCALAWAG BUNCH' he is charismatic as hell shows astonishing energy and he holds the screen which is more than i can say for the so called stars today

R.I.P

Giuliano Gemma portrays Robin Hood obviously inspired by the swashbuckling tradition of Douglas Fairbanks, young Burt Lancaster and Errol Flynn, with a never disappearing broad grin against all odds. All characters in this movie either have an ugly beard or a ridiculous Prince Valiant haircut. That was 1970 for ya. "L'Arciere del fuoco", as it was retitled, is a jolly good B-movie with sense of humour, just the kind of thing you will be looking for when you get bored by stylish 100 million bucks productions.

Very entertaining Italian film adaptation of the Robin Hood story with some acrobatic showpieces!

When Henry of Nottingham (Giuliano GEMMA) returns home after several years in the Crusades, he finds that a lot has changed. The rightful King Richard the Lionheart (Lars BLOCH) is believed to be dead, and his younger brother Prince John (Daniele DUBLINO) rules England with a cruel hand. Henry happens to meet his childhood friend Allen (Mark DAMON) and later the group around Friar Tuck (Mario ADORF) hidden in the forest. There he decides to take up the fight against the hated Prince John as Robin Hood. Finally, his childhood sweetheart, Lady Marian (Silvia DIONISIO), is waiting for him, and she has to deal with Sir Robert of Nottingham (Luis DAVILA) and his jealous accomplice Mathilde (Helga LINE).

Numerous fight scenes with acrobatic jumps ensure entertaining entertainment. It was not for nothing that Giuliano GEMMA had blossomed from a cascader to a CINECITTA divo. The beautiful Silvia DIONISIO and Berlin-born Helga LINE are real feasts for the eyes in their colorful costumes. A few years later, the American actor Mark DAMON would become a successful producer of films such as 9 1/2 WEEKS with Kim BASINGER and MONSTER with Charlize THERON. And the German actor Mario ADORF convinces in his humorous role with perfect knowledge of Latin.

Very nice film by Giorgio FERRONI from the almost inexhaustible reservoir of the Roman film industry of CINECITTA!