Product Details

• Actors: Richard Greene, Sarah Branch
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: May 11, 2010
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0038N9X2W
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,175 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Sword of Sherwood Forest" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Naturally you’d expect Hammer Films to make a Robin Hood movie, and of course it would star Richard Greene, who played him so memorably on TV for five years. But, add none other than Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham and then have it directed by Hammer ace Terence Fisher (Horror of Dracula), and you’ve got much more than just another swashbuckler. Robin and his Merry Men must go undercover when they learn of a plot to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury, and plenty of action and intrigue ensue. Beautifully shot in color and MegaScope, and featuring such reliable British actors as Nigel Green, Niall MacGinnis (Curse of the Demon), a young Oliver Reed and James Bond’s Q himself, Desmond Llewelyn, this is a rare and delightful chance for young and old alike to see a home-grown adaptation of England’s best-loved populist hero.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable, June 12, 2010

By 

D. Guenzel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sword of Sherwood Forest (DVD)

Well worth a viewing is this nicely-done ROBIN HOOD film with Richard Greene and Peter Cushing. New and fresh locations, excellent sets and photography and a typically polished Hammer production all contribute to make this film very entertaining.

The acting is credible all the way through, the only disappointment being a rather lacklustre leading lady. But fine English thespians more than make up for that. Peter Cushing does the villainy, as always, superbly while Niall McGinnis is probably the screen's finest Friar Tuck. McGinnis makes more of the character than the usual gluttonous bufoon characterization of so many other interpreters.

A good film which belongs in your collection.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Hammer Films version of the Robin Hood legend, May 22, 2010

By 

Dan Day (South Bend, IN) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sword of Sherwood Forest (DVD)

SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST makes its American debut on DVD courtesy of Sony. The Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe Robin Hood film is probably the real reason for this release. In any event, it's great that this little-seen Hammer adventure is now available. Richard Greene, who played Robin in a British 1950s TV series, stars here under the direction of Terence Fisher, best known for his helming of most of Hammer Films classic horrors. Fisher had actually directed some of Greene's TV episodes, so he was familiar with the character. The story concerns Robin's discovery of a plot to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury (Jack Gwillim). Peter Cushing makes a dangerous Sheriff of Nottingham, and Hammer veterans Richard Pasco and Oliver Reed portray other villians. There are many other great British character actors in the film, including Nigel Green (as Little John), Niall MacGinnis (as Friar Tuck), and Desmond Llewelyn (better known as Q from the James Bond films).

Maid Marian appears as well, played by the cute and feisty Sarah Branch. However, Branch appears young enough to be Richard Greene's daughter, and they don't seem to have the chemistry that a Robin and Marian should have. The film's storyline has a bit too much plot for a simple old-fashioned adventure. There are times when Robin seems almost a minor part of the tale. The action sequences will be a disappointment to those used to in-your-face violence and video game style editing. Greene seems a bit old and too laid-back. He's not a bad Robin, but many will expect a Robin Hood with more pizazz.

Despite this, SWORD is not a bad production, if one looks at it for what it is. It's not the greatest Robin Hood tale of all time, but it supplies 80 minutes of decent entertainment for those veiwers who will accept classic film fare. The film was shot in Ireland, and it looks spectacular. Sony's DVD picture quality is fantastic. The colors are vibrant, which brings out the fine costumes. Hammer movies always looked more expensive than they really were, and SWORD is a perfect example.

This DVD will definitely be on the want list of Hammer Film fans, Peter Cushing followers, and Robin Hood buffs. Those looking for a adventure film the entire family can watch may want to purchase this as well.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not up to the series, June 3, 2010

By 

Blanchard M. Guthrie (Alabama) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sword of Sherwood Forest (DVD)

I was rather disappointed in this movie. After Richard Greene did the Adventures Of Robin Hood series, I expected much more from the movie.

Instead, it seems like the movie was done as an afterthought. None of the great characters like the series had. The plot even seemed to be a bit.....contrived.

Even Richard Greene's performance seemed a bit muted compared to that of the series.

On it's own, it was an adequate movie, just disappointing compared to the series.