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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Richard Greene, who stole from the rich to give to the poor every week on US and UK televisions in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1959), reprises his most famous role in this swashbuckling adventure from England's Hammer Films. Greene is the only actor to cross over from the small screen to this theatrical release (Hammer's second Robin Hood film after The Men of Sherwood Forest, 1954), but his Merry Men are an impressive Who's Who of British supporting talent, including Niall MacGinnis (Curse of the Demon) as Friar Tuck, Nigel Green (Zulu) as Little John, Desmond Llewelyn (Q from the Bond films), and best of all, Hammer vet Peter Cushing as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham. The plot is unnecessarily convoluted at times--at its crux, it's about the Sheriff's plan to usurp land from a noble away in the Crusades, and Robin thwarting a scheme to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury, who opposes the Sheriff--but Greene and his band of brigands deliver a level of derring-do on par with their series work, and Cushing is always a pleasure to watch (as is a young Oliver Reed, who has a minor role as a vicious lord). Modern audiences may find it a bit stiff and campy, but those who remember the series should appreciate this return to the days of TV yore. The original Columbia Pictures trailer is included as an extra. --Paul Gaita
Product Description
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
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
This ain't Robin Hood
Richard Greene, what a chunk! If you liked the Robin Hood series (c. 1955-59), this ain't it. What a disappointment. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Puff Kitty
Sword of Sherwood Forest
I enjoyed this movie Richard Greene is one of the all time great Robin Hood's always fighting the evil Sheriff and Prince John
Published 2 months ago by Sir Gwain
Hammer Studios made more than Horror movies!
I have almost every movie Hammer Studio's made but I had never heard of this one.
I am not a fan of Robin Hood movies but since it was a Hammer movie and Peter
Cushing... Read more
I am not a fan of Robin Hood movies but since it was a Hammer movie and Peter
Cushing... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Bela
This sword has a dull blade
There is no other Robin Hood than Errol Flynn and no group more merry than his merry men with Alan Hale (Little John) and Eugene Pallette (Friar Tuck). Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dr. James Gardner
A different, but fun, Robin Hood
I really enjoy Richard Greene's Robin Hood television show from the late 1950s, and this movie is, essentially, a triple-length (at 78 minutes), color, widescreen episode -- though... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Karen A. Amrhein
sword of sherwood forest
For a happy and enjoyable evening get-together of the family, I recommend this movie - our family enjoyed it so much, we decided to watch it once a month with a bucket of pop... Read more
Published 15 months ago by N. Lemus
A flat night out in Sherwood
Hammer Films pretty much began and ended their glory days with quickie movie adaptations of TV and radio series, so it wasn't that surprising that Richard Greene's Robin Hood... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Trevor Willsmer
"Outlaws Have Their Uses..."
As a child, I had a beautiful volume of Robin Hood stories which I used to read by torchlight when my parents thought I was asleep. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Paul Ess.
Well-Made Hammer feature, with TV's First 'Robin', Richard Greene...
As a child of the 1950s, I grew up truly believing there were TWO Robin Hoods; the young, dashing Errol Flynn, and the more fatherly, reliable TV 'Hood', Richard Greene. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Benjamin J Burgraff
It is pretty good.
It was pretty good except it did not have any of the cast from the tv show ecept Richard Green.It would have been much better if they had kept the orginal cast.
Published 23 months ago by Eddie Burdette
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