The Prince of Thieves (1948)

71-72 mins | Adventure | January 1948

Director:

Howard Bretherton

Producer:

Sam Katzman

Cinematographer:

Fred H. Jackman Jr.

Editor:

James Sweeney

Production Designer:

Paul Palmentola

Production Company:

Kay Pictures, Inc.
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HISTORY

Although the film's title card reads "Alexandre Dumas' The Prince of Thieves," it bears no relation to any work written by Dumas pere of fils. For further information about films based on the story of "Robin Hood," please see the entry for The Adventures of Robin Hood in AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1931-40; F3.0021. ...

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Although the film's title card reads "Alexandre Dumas' The Prince of Thieves," it bears no relation to any work written by Dumas pere of fils. For further information about films based on the story of "Robin Hood," please see the entry for The Adventures of Robin Hood in AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1931-40; F3.0021.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
14 Jan 1948
p. 3
Hollywood Reporter
2 May 1947
p. 22
Hollywood Reporter
6 Jun 1947
p. 14
Hollywood Reporter
14 Jan 1948
p. 3
Motion Picture Herald Product Digest
17 Jan 1948
p. 4018
Variety
14 Jan 1948
p. 10
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
Alexandre Dumas' The Prince of Thieves
Release Date:
January 1948
Premiere Information:
Brooklyn NY opening: week of 5 Jan 1948; Los Angeles opening: 13 Jan 1948
Production Date:
30 Apr--5 Jun 1947
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Columbia Pictures Corp.
18 December 1947
LP1356
Physical Properties:
Sound
Western Electric Recording
Color
Cinecolor
Duration(in mins):
71-72
Length(in feet):
6,408
Country:
United States
PCA No:
12481
SYNOPSIS

Sir Allan Claire and his sister, Lady Marian, are attacked by an unseen bowman as they ride through Sherwood Forest on their way to Nottingham Castle, where Sir Allan intends to marry Lady Christabel, the sweetheart from whom he has been separated for five long years while he was fighting at the side of King Richard. Rescued by the outlaw Robin Hood, Allan and Marian are blindfolded and taken to Roman Stone, Robin's headquarters deep in the forest. There they meet Robin's cohorts, Little John, Will Scarlet and the other "Merry Men." When Allan tells Robin about his opposition to the corrupt reign of Prince John, the usurper of the throne of England, Robin, who also shares an allegiance to King Richard, warns Allan that Christabel is being forced by her father, Sir Fitz-Alwin, into marrying Baron Tristram, a vassal of Prince John. Aware that they marriage would bring Nottingham Castle under the rule of the corrupt monarch, Robin offers to aid Allan in his quest to save Christabel, and together they break into the castle and free the lady. During the raid, Robin is captured, but later escapes with the help of Maude, Christabel's maid. Furious, the baron pursues the bandits into the forest and recaptures Christabel at Roman Stone. As revenge, the baron and his nephew, Sir Phillip, kidnap Marian one day while she is bathing. Robin, who has fallen in love with Marian, rallies his forces to attack the castle, but changes his mind when he receives a note from the baron offering Marian's life in exchange for his own. When Robin agrees to his terms, the baron ...

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Sir Allan Claire and his sister, Lady Marian, are attacked by an unseen bowman as they ride through Sherwood Forest on their way to Nottingham Castle, where Sir Allan intends to marry Lady Christabel, the sweetheart from whom he has been separated for five long years while he was fighting at the side of King Richard. Rescued by the outlaw Robin Hood, Allan and Marian are blindfolded and taken to Roman Stone, Robin's headquarters deep in the forest. There they meet Robin's cohorts, Little John, Will Scarlet and the other "Merry Men." When Allan tells Robin about his opposition to the corrupt reign of Prince John, the usurper of the throne of England, Robin, who also shares an allegiance to King Richard, warns Allan that Christabel is being forced by her father, Sir Fitz-Alwin, into marrying Baron Tristram, a vassal of Prince John. Aware that they marriage would bring Nottingham Castle under the rule of the corrupt monarch, Robin offers to aid Allan in his quest to save Christabel, and together they break into the castle and free the lady. During the raid, Robin is captured, but later escapes with the help of Maude, Christabel's maid. Furious, the baron pursues the bandits into the forest and recaptures Christabel at Roman Stone. As revenge, the baron and his nephew, Sir Phillip, kidnap Marian one day while she is bathing. Robin, who has fallen in love with Marian, rallies his forces to attack the castle, but changes his mind when he receives a note from the baron offering Marian's life in exchange for his own. When Robin agrees to his terms, the baron sends two soldiers to escort him to the castle. After overpowering the men, Little John and Will Scarlet don their uniforms and take Robin to the castle. Just as Robin is about to be hanged, Little John and Will Scarlet spring into action and free him. The baron and Phillip then repair to the village for their double wedding ceremony to Christabel and Marian. Galloping to the village, Robin and Allan interrupt the ceremony and engage their rivals in a sword fight to the death. With the baron and Phillip vanquished, Friar Tuck steps in to wed Robin and Marian and Allan and Christabel. Just as the ceremony is concluded, word comes that King Richard has returned to England, and Robin and Allan kiss their brides goodbye and ride off to join their king.

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Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.