Customer Reviews

Robin of Sherwood: Set One

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been waiting years for this series to be available on Region 1 DVD. The series is a re-telling of the adventures of Robin Hood. A mystical slant has been incorporated into many of the plots but is really not a main focal point except for a couple of the episodes. The cast is outstanding and their interaction is the drawing card of the series. Robin in the Hood is played by Michael Praed (Robin of Loxley) for eleven episodes. When he left the series, he was replaced by Jason Connery (Robert of Huntington) for the remaining thirteen episodes. The transition from one Robin to the next was done gracefully and with dignity. Judi Trott is a joy as Marian and does an amazing job in expressing her devastation at the loss of the first Robin and her slow, reluctant but ultimately growing love of the second Robin. What really sets this series apart from many others, for me, is the comaraderie between the characters: Loutish, kind-hearted Little John; surly, quick to anger but willing to do anything to protect the weak Will Scarlet; humorous, voice of reason Friar Tuck; rarely speaking, deadly assassin Nasir; simple, gullible Much. If you are a fan of television series that make you wish that you were part of the gang (ex. Firefly, The Paper Chase) then this is a series for you.

The DVD release of this series for U.S. viewing is a dream come true. This is, by far, the best conceptualization of the Robin Hood mythos to date. The writing, directing, casting, acting, and cinematography, not to mention the musical score by the Irish group, Clannad, is excellent. The entire cast is totally believable, and the powerful, omni-present, yet often understated, pagan aspect of Hern, the patron god of Sherwood forest, adds a much needed spiritual dimension to the rob from the rich, give to the poor stereotype.

As other reviewers have said, Richard Carpenter's Robin of Sherwood is THE definitive TV retelling of the Robin Hood ballads. This series had it all. The characterizations were spot-on, and you actually care about them. The villainous Lord High Sheirff of Nottingham, Robert De Rainault, his brother Abbot Hugo De Rainault, and their steward, Sir Guy of Gisbourne aren't one-dimensional stock villains; Carpenter made them three-dimensional people who're evil for a reason. The locations are stunning, the costumes authentic (except for the obviously fake chain-mail and the aluminum shields of De Rainault's men-at-arms), and the theme and incidental music by Irish Celtic folk-rock band Clannad is ethereal and mysterious, beautifully haunting, joyous and playful-everything the show needed. I highly recommend the sound track, I only wish they'd realese all of the tracks used in the show (there are four or five from season three that aren't on the sound track).

One thing that really sold me on this show was the way the writers Carpenter and Anthony Horowitz wove actual medieval English history into the episodes, such as Richard's return to Nottingham after his ransom in which he pardoned his treasonous brother John; Richard's death in Normandy and John's accession to the throne; King John's divorce of his first wife Isabella (aka Hadwisa) of Gloucester to marry the young Isabella of Angouleme (Corey Pullman played her wonderfully), and John's alleged murder of his nephew Arthur of Brittany, who it was said was named heir to the English throne by the Lionheart on his deathbed; historians still debate whether John actually killed Arthur or not. The real John liked jewels and in the show John likes Jewels; he also has the Plantagenet short fuse. In one episode the Sheriff discusses an upcoming hundred court with Gisbourne. Add to this the fact that real medieval English geography is referred to (Barnesdale; the Newark Road; Lincoln; York; etc.) . These connections to authentic history all added to the authenticity of this show.

Both Michael Praed and Jason Connery (son of Sean) played their respective Robins brilliantly, and the change of actors (Praed landed a role on Broadway) was handled very nicely and examined two prominent versions of the legends, one that Robin was a peasant yeoman and the other that he was an earl's son. Judi Trott was fabulous as Marian of Leaford, and brought a believability to the role-while a very beautiful and feminine woman, Trott's Marian is nevertheless married to an outlaw wolf's head and lives in Sherwood Forst with his band; thus her Marian can shoot nearly as good as Robin as well as handle a sword. The other "merry men" each have distinct personalities and character traits, from the quick-tempered Will Scarlet, to the simple, yet firecly loyal Much the Miller's Son, to the brooding and silent, yet deadly former member of the sect of the Asassins, Nazir.

Robin's band is kept small on purpose and for very practical reasons: two hundred men can't hide very well, even in Sherwood (which in the 12th/13th centuries was fairly large). Plus, more time can be devoted to exploring the main characters. All of the traditional main characters from the legends are present, save Allan a' Dale who only appears in one episode ( though it's a great one). Significant is the addition of a Saracen (Muslim) character, Nazir, played by Mark Ryan. The Costner film producers got the idea for a Saracen in Robin's band from RoS. And a Saracen in Sherwood is actually not so far-fetched, as Richard the Lionheart actually hired several Muslim mercenaries to fight in his army.

Nicholas Grace was fantastic as the Sheriff, giving what is usually a stock villain real depth and personality. Robert Addie (Mordred in John Boorman's 1981 "Excalibur") played a great Gisbourne, also portraying what is usually a stock villain with depth and feeling. As the series progresses we learn why Gisbourne turned out the way he did and acts as he does. And there were interesting character revelations about Gisbourne in season three. Philip Davis played Prince/King John to the hilt-Davis' performance is the best portrayal of John I've ever seen. And while John Rhys-Davies doesn't physically look like Richard the Lionheart (who had read hair) he played him brilliantly, capturing the historic Plantagenet king's valor and bravery, but also his characteristic Plantagenet short temper and treachery when he was crossed.

Add a dash of mysticism from Robin's patron, Herne the Hunter to round things out and make them really interesting. This character is more present in the first two seasons than in the last. John Abineri does a good job of portraying the fey and mysterious Herne, who "when the Horned one possesses me," becomes Herne the Hunter (Cerunnos), the Celtic Lord of the Trees and the Hunt. This character isn't over-used, and though Friar Tuck (Phil Rose) is portrayed as more tolerant of Herne's pagan ways than a real life 12th century religious would probably be, it's still believable. Carpenter says Robin needed a patron or mentor and he couldn't use Merlin, so Herne fit the bill nicely. The show doesn't definitively say whether Herne actually IS Herene/Cerunnos or not, but his fey powers, such as his prophectic ability and second sight, are portrayed as real. Like Herene, the villainous sorcerer Gulnar is a bit much for authentic 12th/13th century England, what with his public devotion to Arianrhod and Thor, but not terribly so if one suspends one's disbelief. In that respect the show's magical, mystical element works nicely and is an interesting twist to the standard legends. Carpenter carefully researched the magical and mystical elements of the show to make them as accurate as possible.

Recurring characters such as Edward of Wickham (played by Jeremy Bulloch, Boba Fett in the original "Star Wars" films) Meg of Wickham (Claire Toeman), and Sir Richard of Leaford, as well as recurring villains such as the Sheriff's brother Abbot Hugo de Rainault (played by Philip Jackson), the Baron de Belleme (Anthony Valentine) and King John round out the cast.

This show deserved more than the three seasons it got in the UK. The series needed closure and a suitable ending which it never got. One wishes Carpenter's plans for a feature film concurrent with the Costner Robin Hood film had materialized.

In the early 1990s an American video company (I believe it was Good Times), released the five two-part episodes of the series as two-hour features on VHS, but didn't releasse the rest of the series for some odd reason. Season three of the series begins immediately where the cliff-hanger of season two ended, so not including those other episodes makes no sense at all. Episodes were written and filmed in sequence and the series works best when viewed that way; for example, what happens in the first episode of season three directly impacts what happens in later episodes. Despite flashbacks at the beginning of the first episode of season three, viewers need to have seen what came before in the first two seasons. Finally American audiences have the chance as the complete series is now available to them.

So walk into the mystic forest: I guarntee you that you won't be disappointed.

I love a good Robin Hood story as much as the next person. In fact, I like many of the various KINDS of Robin Hood stories. There is as much pleasure to be taken from watching Kevin Costner stealing from the poor ( blissfully unaware that while he does so, Alan Rickman is stealing the movie from him) as there is to be found in the new PSP Crew that currently inhabits Sherwood on the BBC. However ROBIN OF SHERWOOD is for those who like to engage their cerebral organ as well as the visceral ones while watching a program. This version is well cast, providing the required eye candy for both sexes, sumptuous in setting, and provides the basis in woodland myth that allowed the Robin Hood character to be developed and to become a part of storyland history ( interestingly enough, the new ROBIN HOOD on BBC also takes a chance on this, hoping to hook younger viewers with the cast and then seduce them into thinking about a man's motivation to do good by exploring Robin's thoughts and feelings about serving with Richard in the Crusade to"retake" the Holy Land). For any reader willing to take a chance on a Robin story that is more than just a good adventure yarn, this is the series for you.

For those not able to get the "Robin of Sherwood Complete Series" Region 1 box set put out a few years ago, this release is a long time coming. It appears that all the special features in the box set are reproduced here, so there is nothing new that early adopters are missing. For those who are not yet aware, this is perhaps the best Robin Hood television show ever produced, and it has tremendous staying power. Both Robin the commoner and Robin the nobleman are woven into this series, which makes it unique.

True, Michael Praed (later replaced by blonde pansy Jason Connery) and his crew are pretty darn clean for living out in the woods, but it just wouldn't be as much fun to watch a bunch of scruffy, dirty ruffians. Also worthy of note are the guest appearances by Richard "Riff Raff" O'Brien. So throw your verisimilitude out the window and sit down to some quality yarn spinning!

Like lots of other reviewers of this item, I've waited a long time for this classic 1980's British TV show to come to Region 1 DVD and now that it's finally available I'm ecstatic! For me, "Robin of Sherwood" is the definitive version of Robin Hood, so much so that I've never even cared to watch Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" movie, nor the recent big-budget adaptation by the BBC (okay, I have watched Disney's "Robin Hood" though). Furthermore, I would go so far as to say that it is one of the finest, most entertaining shows ever produced for television. The acting is first-rate, the writing is very often strong, the directors take full advantage of the locations (be it in a forest or a castle, with some beautiful scenery shot on film mostly in the north and west of England), the lighting is perfect, and the characters are believable, three-dimensional people with whom the viewer can sympathize. On top of all this, and despite Amazon.com's own review, the title music and incidental music provided by Irish Celtic band, Clannad is wonderful and perfectly enhances the atmospheric mood of many a varied scene. I couldn't imagine any other music to accompany the show.

Another aspect of this show that makes it so great is the fact that it marries the legend of Robin Hood with some mythical themes, such as Robin's relationship with the `ghost' of Herne the Hunter, said to have once been a huntsman employed by King Richard II. Robin turns to Herne for advice and guidance from time to time making Herne something of a father figure for the young outlaw. Medieval superstitious beliefs also add to the mythology and occasionally play a part in some of the storylines, particularly witchcraft.

The drama here is given a very real, gritty feeling to hold true to the time it is set in. The women are short and have warts, the Sheriff of Nottingham's men bare the scars of battle, villagers are poor, wear tattered clothes and drink ale, and fights take place in wet, muddy fields. You won't find any bright green tights, powdered cheek bones or nicely-kept hair here.

I must single out two exceptional actors in this show. Ray Winstone's `mad dog' portrayal of Will Scarlet is always a highlight. Sometimes he acts before he thinks, usually when faced with the prospect of engaging the Sheriff of Nottingham's men in battle. This undoubtedly stems from a constant inner rage he feels from the rape and murder of his wife at the hands of the Sheriff's men. Then, there is the Sheriff himself. Brilliantly played by Nickolas Grace, the Sheriff of Nottingham is, to borrow an English phrase from JK Rowling's "Harry Potter" books, a "right foul git". Ruthless, greedy and callous, Grace turns the Sheriff into an unscrupulous villain, and when required to show the Sheriff in his true, cowardly colors, does so expertly.

You will not be disappointed with this show and I only hope it is not long before the remaining 13 episodes see the light of day on DVD too.

I am so very glad to see this series will soon be available! It's a fun mix of legend and history, drama and camp. The main characters are strong and complex. The actors' off-camera comraderie is evident on screen - you just know they're having a good time brawling. The portrayals of the Sheriff of Nottingham and his flunky, Sir Guy of Gisborne, are terrific: simultaneously villanous and comic. The mystical/supernatural aspects are at times over the top; but at other times they work just fine. I found watching this series to be very satisfying.

It's always a delight to return to something you enjoyed many years ago and find out that your memories were not distorted. Michael Praed and Judi Trott are the ultimate Robin and Marion, heartbreakingly youthful and joyous yet with a wonderful gravitas, beautiful (as Robin says of Marion, "as a May morning") without artificiality, equals without the anachronism of political correctness. Their first and final moments together are equally perfect, the latter utterly wrenching, and it earns its tears honestly - each line and gesture has been set up by what has gone on before. The other characters are also rich in nuance, though it does strain credulity (especially by the 13th episode) that no one puts an arrow between the shoulder blades of Guy of Gisbourne or the Sheriff! I very much enjoyed the authentic historical references to Norman England, and only wish the consistency had carried over into the depiction of that era's spirituality. Corrupt churchmen there may have been (unfortunately, we see no other kind here, unless we count Tuck - hardly a practicing religious!), but the 12th century was NOT an era of paganism slowly being overwhelmed by the "new" Christianity. Saxon England, as well as Norman, had been Christian for many centuries. I can accept Herne as a device... though I think Robin could just as well have listened to his own inner voice, as this was also an era of mystics. I'm less happy (despite the entertainment value) with sorcerers returning from the dead and devil-worshipping nuns who can literally incarnate Lucifer. (In this England, the devil, apparently, is real, but not Christ.) However, my five-star rating stands, for the wonderful cast, the creative storytelling, the historical integrity (physically if not spiritually), the tenderness of the romance, and the lovely incidental music by Clannad.

I used to have some of the VHS tapes of this show, and I taped a few off of TV. But, when the VCR went out, I never got a new one, and can't watch the tapes. Horrible picture anyway, but........ I'm so happy to finally be able to buy the series on DVD. I love the Robin Hood legend and find this a more "true to life" version. It's gritty, sometimes dark and people actually get dirty, living in the forest and all ya know!! Michael Praed is a vastly underrated actor, heading up a stellar ensemble. I wasn't as thrilled with Jason Connery's Robin, but that may just be my bias toward Mr. Praed and my disappointment at seeing him leave the show. If you love the story of Robin Hood, you must buy this DVD!!!

I don't have to watch my old, worn videotapes of this series any more! This is the best Robin Hood ever! You can keep the new BBC series with women who look like they're made up for a Max Factor ad; this series has a much more realistic look and actors who really inhabit their characters. Charisma abounds! Throw in some mysticism, some romance, wonderful performances, and smart writing and you have an extraordinary re-telling of a classic tale. I was sorry to see Michael Praed leave for the pathetic confines of "Dynasty" but they handled the transition to Jason Connery very well and, in spite of a rocky start, he grew into the role in time with the help of the wonderful Judi Trott as Marian. If you enjoy excellent television, treat yourself to the outstanding "Robin of Sherwood". I can't wait for all the seasons to be released-we've been waiting over 20 years to enjoy them once again.