Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Greatest Film/Video Adaptation Of Robin Hood Ever!, September 30, 2004
This review is from: Robin Hood the Legend - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Most Robin Hood enthusiasts agree that this Goldcrest series from the 1980s (originally aired in the U.S. on Showtime) is the best film/video version of the Robin Hood legend ever conceived. The 26 episode British mini-series begins with this episode ("Robin Hood And The Sorceror"), following Robin of Locksley's transformation from a humble yeoman to outlaw Robin Hood. The casting is AWESOME. Michael Praed is PERFECT as Robin. In fact, EVERYONE is perfect in this cast. Writer Richard Carpenter expanded on the legend as we know it by adding an element of occultism and sorcery. Some may find the result to be a bit too 1980s and a little too Dungeons & Dragons, but the magic never really departs from the many existing myths of Europe (I thought the addition of the Herne the Hunter character was SO cool). The addition of a Sarecen character was a particularly clever move (so clever that Kevin Costner STOLE the idea for his own production several years later!). BTW - this entire series IS available in a limited edition region 1 DVD set from Network Video (I ordered my copy direct from England), so Robin Hood fans, don't despair! The dvd extras are GREAT! Interviews with the cast and crew are fantastic! Even my girlfriend fell in love with this series, and she HATES swords & sorcery fantasy flicks (she's watched the series several times now!). I must confess, however, that I really only like the first 13 episodes. The last half of the series experienced some changes in casting, directors, and screenwriters. Carpenter was very clever to insert the Robert of Huntington character (most scholars try to narrow down the identity of Robin Hood to Robin of Locksley and Robert of Huntington), but the style and content of the Huntington episodes are not of the same quality as the first 13 episodes (which is really quite sad). Still, this is one of the best DVD purchases I've made so far. That 13th episode ("The Greatest Enemy") alone was worth the price of the whole set! That's one of the most powerful things I've ever seen on television! Kevin Costner, eat your heart out!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Episodes and on DVD!!!!, June 2, 2003
This review is from: Robin Hood the Legend - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I grew up in the eighties watching this show on PBS, and have been searching for it on DVD. It was such a beautifully crafted show, and such a perfect encapsulation of that period in history. For a history buff, it is dream, and for anyone interested in alternative religions, like Wicca, it paints a true and unbiased picture of Paganism. Also, Michael Praed is extremely attractive, and that helps. This show needs to be available on DVD! I would buy every episode.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THis needs to be on DVD!!!, August 15, 2002
This review is from: Robin Hood the Legend - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer [VHS] (VHS Tape)
All three seasons of this shows needs to be on DVD! One of the the absolute best Robin Hood shows ever. I still have all my VHS tapes of the episodes from the last time Showtime aired the series. The UK has them on DVD. WHY CAN"T SOMEONE GET IT IN GEAR AND BRING THEM HERE TOO!!! FYI the DVD set that exists is not a region 0 that was an error. The company that produces the Robin Hood DVD doesn't have the US reproduction rights so you cannot get the current DVD and watch it without an All-Region DVD player.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
