[5] Young Robin Hood, in love with Maid Marian, enters an archery contest with his father at the King's palace.

Robin takes up the life of an outlaw, gathering together his band of merry men with him in Sherwood Forest, to avenge his father's death and to help the people of the land whom Prince John is over taxing.

He wanted to use colour, use a more historically accurate script than in most previous Robin Hood films, and to shoot on location in Sherwood Forest.

[12] Annakin said he was unhappy with the casting of Joan Rice as Maid Marian, feeling she could not act, but says Disney insisted she play the role.

[14] Annakin said Peter Finch "brought a freshness and a snide threat to the villainous character, without the histrionics of his predecessors in the role.

[8] The New York Times called it "an expert rendition of an ancient legend that is as pretty as its Technicolor hues and as lively as a sturdy Western... (T)he action - the courtly speeches and romance are kept to a sensible minimum - is robust and fairly continuous";[8] and Leonard Maltin similarly noted a "zesty, colorful retelling of the familiar story, filmed in England by Walt Disney with excellent cast.

Richard Todd enjoys himself as the famous outlaw, but is up against strong competition from Peter Finch as the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and the delightful Hubert Gregg, cast against type as the evil King John.