How Is The Society Portrayed In The Adventures Of Robin Hood?

The Portrayal of Robin Hood

In the perspective of the historical events, as well as the entertainment industry, of the early to mid-1900’s, one is able to investigate the film, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), in order to understand the similarities and effects the world events of the early 20th century had during the production of the film. The movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, is able to express to an extent the historical events and perspectives throughout the entire production of the movie. This is portrayed through The Great Depression, society’s views on heroes vs. villains during the early - mid 1900's, the entertainment industry, and the views on Nazism specifically towards the Warner Brothers Campaign against Nazism. These were

Black Tuesday was the day the stock market crashed and Americans rushed to sell their stocks except no one was looking to buy. Black Tuesday wasn’t the only reason America fell into the Great Depression, but it definitely was the turning point to bring America into the Great Depression. The Great Depression affected America greatly. Not only did the birth rates, employment rates, and divorce rates of people drop sharply during this time, but it was also a time where women and children were looked to by men for support to make ends meet. During this time period the entertainment industry thrived due to the need for escapism. Many Americans didn’t want to have to deal with the struggles of their everyday life meaning they look towards the entertainment industry to achieve escapism. Escapism meaning “the avoidance of reality by absorption of the mind in entertainment or in an imaginative situation or activity.” (Dictionary.com). During the Great Depression, America began to show the need for distractions which was often expressed with fantasy in musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, which was released in 1939. (“Musicals in the Depression”). About sixty to eighty million Americans attended the movies each week. Of course not everyone during the Great Depression was affected by the damaged economy. The movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, reflected The Great Depression

Outlaw heroes involve numerous elements, most of which Robin Hood obtains, such as sympathizers and oppressors to fight against (Seal 1). In The Adventures of Robin Hood, the need of escapism and also need for a hero to save the people and or economy was portrayed in the movie. The colorful costumes provided the escape to create a fantasy and Robin Hood provided the need of change and hope to the damaged economy. Robin Hood was the figure that brought peace of mind to the poor from Prince John who took over after his brother who was thought to be dead/imprisoned and began to oppress the Saxons. Robin Hood, during the film stated that Prince John had the Saxons “Over taxed and over worked” (The Adventures of Robin Hood). During the production of the film the idea of someone who supports the poor by stealing from the rich was a very creative idea that gave America a rebel to root for and also pulled on the imaginations of many Americans. This brings back escapism where many Americans decided that watching films was a good way to separate themselves from the real world, and that there is hope for a hero in their own lives. This contributes to The Adventures of Robin Hood by the way it gives people a figure to look up to for those who were affected by the Great Depression. Considering that Robin Hood was a figure that was looked up to as a hero, it can be