Robin Hood is a 1912 film made by Eclair Studios when it and many other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the beginning of the 20th century. The movie's costumes feature enormous versions of the familiar hats of Robin and his merry men, and uses the unusual effect of momentarily superimposing images different animals over each character to emphasize their good or evil qualities. The film was directed by Étienne Arnaud and Herbert Blaché, and written by Eustace Hale Ball. A restored copy of the 30-minute film exists and was exhibited in 2006 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Practical Effects
Those hats. Enormous. Iconic. Absolutely unhinged.
Direction
Superimposed animals = 1912's CGI budget.
Director
Étienne Arnaud
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Fort Lee, New Jersey was America's Hollywood before Hollywood existed—this was literally made in the first film industry hub.
Eclair Studios pioneered the 'stencil coloring' technique; this black-and-white surviving print likely lost hand-tinted scenes showing Nottingham in color.
US
