Customer Reviews

Robin Hood the Legend - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Robin of Sherwood must be one of the most flattered filmed versions of the legend ever. This TV series (which, by the way, was not made by the BBC and was instead shown on the British commercial channel ITV -- something that most North American video guides get wrong) was the brainchild of Richard Carpenter, a creator of many notable British children's series. I love this show and I used to watch on TV and recorded on tapes for extra enjoyment over and over! Sadly all my tapes are exausted, and now it's time to get it on original DVDs! Praed played this role with a beautiful fey quality. You could believe that his Robin was almost messianic, subject to visions and in touch with divine forces. When Praed left at the end of series two, the show did not merely re-cast the part of Robin of Loxley. I personally think NO ACTOR can portrait the image of Robin better than Praed! The ending of the show is very sad to me! ;_;
Now, it's hard to get the complete collection though where can I find it! And please, give us this great tv show on DVD!!!

Two part opener for the hit 1980s British independent TV series, "Robin Of Sherwood" ("Robin Hood" in the US and some other markets).

The series kick-started the career of Michael Praed, while consolidating those of others like Nickolas Grace, Ray Winstone and Clive Mantle.

Richard "Kip" Carpenter's interpretation of the legendary English outlaw takes a very different approach from others before, in that it blends mysticism with the age old tale.

Others would have had trouble pulling off this rather daring mix, but Carpenter's skill and high production standards from series director Ian Sharp lifted the show and made it a big hit. Aside from the majestic on location shoots for some of the major scenes, this episode impresses with its encounter between Robin and the forces of evil, both human and supernatural. The handling of the tenderly romatic relationship between Praed's Robin and Judi Trott's Marion also shames other interpretations.

Despite delving into a serious theme, the series had its lighter moments - watch Robin mouth a word that was not in the Saxon vocabulary of that era during his face-off with the evil Baron de Belleme as he experiences the medeival version of spontaneous combustion!

The balance between tense thrills and comic relief, fine acting from all the players, the 'Clannad' soundtrack and beautiful and authentic locations make this one of those rare series where cast, crew and story lines gel together to produce a magical feeling. The series remains a true classic that is highly re-watchable, even almost two decades on.

Michael Praed was in his early 20s when he played Robin, but brings with him everything the character needed - swashbuckling dash, a certain "fey" quality and sufficient fire in his belly to rebel against the Norman oppressors to make him a credible Robin, despite his youthful looks and verve. Unlike other Robins, Praed's portrayal is that of a scruffy youth on the run from the law and chosen by a pagan god to do his bidding to become a freedom fighter for the oppressed masses. Many rate Praed's performance as unsurpassed to date, making him the quintessential Robin.

The shame to fans of the series is that he left after two all too brief seasons of 13 episodes in total to pursue other avenues that did not lend him as much on-screen presence till the recent "Secret Adventures Of Jules Verne", although he made a successful enough living in various British stage productions and independent films to prove his talents. His ongoing fan following attests to his redeeming appeal.

The DVDs are supposed to be universal region 0 coded, so they should be workable in all countries subject to your DVD player being multicoded. Still, if you haven't yet made the tranistion to DVD, this video is certainly a must have.

It will make you yearn to see the entire series rather than stop with this already great installment.

Please, please let this series be on DVD someday soon. This series was the most exquisitely crafted work of art...it would be a tragedy if it were never to be released on DVD. This series was magnificent...beautiful & talented actors, historically impressive, a VERY REAL, raw and inspirational experience. The performances given by Michael Praed were so powerful...no one will ever be a better Robin Hood (not even Jason Connery in the later episodes!) As another viewer mentioned, I also grew up watching this series. It is in my top 5 all-time favorites! My tapes are worn-out as well...I would also seriously buy every single episode if it were ever realeased on DVD, regardless of price.

I have this tape, and taped a few eps off of Showtime, but I want it on DVD! This is a fantastic series. Beautiful scenery, great stories. Give us DVD!

Don't waste your time. Go to Amazon.co.uk and buy the complete series on DVD. It's the best you can do

I used to watch this show when I was a child and it is one of the best stories I have seen.. :) I hope I will be able to find more episodes. I think there were at least eight parts to it.
Does anybody know where I can find the rest of it?

During the early 80's a british version of robin hood was done for television. This features a young Michael Praed as robin in the hood. (Some fans may recall him from the series shown on the scifi channel "The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne"). Not like many of the movies or even aninamted shows based off of Robin Hood this show was looking at it from a historical view point instead of a mythical apporach. The first time I watched this was off a public televsion station during the late 80's when the show finally ended it's short time. With a unqine cast to represent Robin Hood and his band of men. Not merry but a band of men and of course one woman. Like all televison shows of this kind many well noted british stars had guest roles and spots. Even when Michael Praed left the show it was still good. So if your looking for a different Robin Hood then this is the show to watch.