When Richard the Lionheart (Ian Hunter), rightful King of England, is captured and held to ransom in Austria, his wicked brother, John (Claude Rains), sets himself upon the throne. Lone knight Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) dares to defy John, and sets out to pay the ransom by stealing from the wealthy as they pass through Sherwood Forest. He is aided by his band of merry men as he takes on the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper) and his henchman, Sir Guy of Gisborne (Basil Rathbone).