The Adventures of Errol Flynn [PG]

From humble beginnings as a boy searching for adventure to an instant superstar on the Hollywood screen, Errol Flynn charmed his way through movies, love, and life. Whilst the sailing was not always smooth, the journey from his first screen performance at the ripe age of 20 through to his death at the age of 50 was a series of one adventure after another and his legend lives on in the stream of swashbuckling, romantic, exciting, and dramatic movies that make up the repertoire of Australia’s own Tasmanian Devil. 

He’s one of the biggest names when it comes to Australian talent: Heath Ledger, Hugh Jackman, even Hugo Weaving cannot be put into the same sphere as Errol Flynn. Devilishly handsome, charming, and talented, he was a chameleon on the screen; blending into any costume he was put into whether it be swashbuckling pirate, a soldier at war, or a cowboy. He’s one of the original classics in our cabinet of talent and, until tonight, I had no idea just how great the story was his life was. The Adventures of Errol Flynn chronicles everything from his humble beginning in Hobart Tasmania, through to his island life, his first screen performance, his overnight stardom with Captain Blood, his string of movie successes, the infamous rape charge, and his eventual death from a heart attack at the age of 50. 

From humble beginnings as a boy searching for adventure to an instant superstar on the Hollywood screen, Errol Flynn charmed his way through movies, love, and life. Whilst the sailing was not always smooth, the journey from his first screen performance at the ripe age of 20 through to his death at the age of 50 was a series of one adventure after another and his legend lives on in the stream of swashbuckling, romantic, exciting, and dramatic movies that make up the repertoire of Australia’s own Tasmanian Devil. 

The Errol Flynn story is one that’s really captivating and incredible because it really is a rags-to-riches story like the ones in movies! Underneath the moustache, the wavy locks, and the winsome charm was a boy who just longed for adventure and, narrated by Ian Holm with frequent voice-over bouts from Flynn himself, it’s a tale I could hear again and again. 

Told in a linear fashion, the documentary is a fascinating montage of never-before-seen footage, clips from movies, and interviews with various people close to the man himself. It’s accessible, it’s engaging, and what’s really great is that it’s genuine. What I mean by that is that it’s not an academic critique of Flynn or his work, but anecdotes about a man. Some of the best stories come out of Olivia de Havilland, seriously watch out for those! 

Featuring interviews with Rudy Behlmer, Jack Cardiff, Delmer Daves, Oliva de Havilland, Richard Dreyfuss, Nora Eddington, Deirdre Glynn, Patrice Wymore Flynn, Greer Garson, David Niven, Paul Picerni, Basil Rathbone, Richard Schickel, Vincent Sherman, Hal B. Wallis, Joanne Woodward, and Burt Reynolds, The Adventures of Errol Flynn is a fascinating documentary that tells the incredible life story of a true Aussie gem.