Robin of Sherwood - Season 1
by Alex Kirby
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DVD details
Actor: Anthony Valentine, Michael PraedDirector: Alex Kirby
Brand: PRAED,MICHAEL
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Original recording remastered
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 676 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-03-13
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ACORN MEDIA
DVD Reviews of Robin of Sherwood - Season 1
DVD Review: robin of sherwood vol. 1
Summary: 5 Stars
Received this and have watched first 3 discs so far. All discs so far in excellent condition and of course, the series is wonderful. I had been waiting to see this again since the 1980s and was so pleased when it was released on dvd. This is the best version of the Robin Hood legend ever filmed in my opinion. If you haven't seen it, give it a try. It's wonderful!DVD Review: charming relic of the early 80s
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the greatest things to come out of early 80s television. Don't bother with the other seasons: they're atrocious. This one, on the other hand is super great.
Robin of Sherwood is probably the origin of modern sword and sandal epics using girlie swirlie renfaire music. They used Clannad, who, in its day, gave it an appropriately creepy air. Now a days, of course, it is hopelessly out of date; and sounds like Kool and the Gang playing at Renfaire. I suspect the silly music in movies like Gladiator and 300 will also seem dated and cheesy 24 years hence, wheras something like the soundtrack to El Cid or Alexander Nevsky is eternal. Really, they should have got Jethro Tull or Hawkwind to do the soundtrack to Robin of Sherwood: all the actors look and act like fans at a Hawkwind show anyway. One of the fun things about watching this show is the pre-AIDS swingerness of it all. The merry men of the woods are always going into the village and snogging with the numerous single women who seem to serve no purpose in the village other than bringing drinks to men who fondle them. Robin himself looks like the lead singer of Journey (though in the entering credits, he looks like a renaissance painting, which is a very neat effect).
This show also was probably of incalculable influence to the type of people who go to renfaire and consider themselves witches. I actually approve of the influence; there is real pagan stuff in it. The "Herne the Hunter" -a real mythological figure, is a very creepy and evocative Cerrunos (celtic horned god). There are references made to all kinds of historical pagan stuff; Weyland the smith, and so on. There is plenty of amusing anti-papistry and race hatred. The church is seen as greedy and corrupt. Anglo Saxon peasants as inherently noble people struggling against evil Frenchmen. They even manage to toss in a couple of blatantly anti semitic tropes in it, which, considering that this was made a mere 24 years ago in England, is kind of insane (you can probably go to jail for putting this on TV now a days). Come to think of it: Robin goes around popping a medieval cap in everyone, like some kind of English John Wayne: that sort of playing at weapons violence can't be legal in Britain any more either.
The acting verges on the hilarious. Robin is a milktoast and a ninny. Maid Marian is trying to be a feminist, but ends up a shrew. The Sheriff is so over the top, I can't help but think of Black Adder every time he opens his mouth, with Gisburn as his hammy-evil Baldrick. The ninja Arab, Nasir, looks Italian and acts Japanese. Will Scarlett (who looks just like my pal Simon) is a medieval version of a chav. The two fat guys are by far the best characters, when there is not an interesting new villain around. Little John (it always confused me that he was supposed to be huyoooge, but really, he's just a bit above average in size) is a big good natured oaf. Friar Tuck is a jolly fat sissy.
All this sounds like I'm down on it, but in fact, this is one of the best things one can watch on the television machine. It is good natured, amusing, and has some beautiful imagery. Beyond the historical references, it never gets beyond the intellectual level of, say, Gilligan's Island, but it is still worth watching. In fact, I'd say that makes it more worth watching. Television shows which attempt to be intellectual are a crashing bore. Television shows which attempt to be fun and charming are much more rare.
My rating: a hearty tavern wench with a chipped tooth, kicking a frog-eater in the bottom
DVD Review: Best Robin Hood Series of All Time!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this as a kid with my mom. We were poor and our friend had HBO and taped the series for us. Years later it is one series I still remember because of the magic, mystery and romance portrayed. It stirred my imagination and captured my heart. I travelled to England and made sure to buy all the episodes over there, but then I have an English DVD player. The fact that this set is now on Region 1 is a real treat. If you like the Robin Hood fable, you will LOVE this series. It is set in England with none of the fake accents you hear nowadays in movies and on American TV. The story is thrilling and heartbreaking all in the same breath. You will want to watch them all straight through! I highly recommend this series!!DVD Review: Thoroughly Enjoyable.
Summary: 5 Stars
I did not see this Robin Hood series in the 80s. A friend on MySpace recommended it, so I bought the complete set and have watched the First set (with Michael Praed) and several discs into the second set with Jason Connery. I have to say that I find it thoroughly enjoyable, well done, and full of beautiful scenery. But what really makes the series is the wonderful characterization and how well each actor stays in that character. Also, the comradery and friendship of the band, not so unlike siblings. Always at odds with each other but the first to defend the other in times of trouble. This is what pulls you in and makes you care. Though both Robins play their part well, I am partial to Michael Praed. Michael has an almost fey-like quality to him (perfect for in Sherwood), is facially expressive, and very fluid in how he moves. And though Jason plays the part wonderfully as well, I was sad to see the switch. Speaking of which...the switch is my one downturn of this series. I understand what they were trying to do, but I really think that Robin making a final stand (sacrifice really), when he could have easily escaped with Marian and Much, was out of character for him. Robin was a survivor and the hope of the people. I don't think he would have laid down his life for nothing. Had he died defending Marian and Much while they escaped, I might have accepted it. But to have them escape so easily while Robin just stands there and accepts a fate that didn't have to be, was unrealistic...and unlike Robin. Still, I love the series and am still giving it a 5 star review for wonderfully drawn out characters and for its empathetic pull to the viewers heart. Funny strange...I'm writing a novel (medieval faerie fantasy)...and a very significant line in it is "you will not be forgotten". (written before I viewed this series) Not exact, but similar. DVD Review: Set one of the best dvd series to come to USA
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first dvd set to the Robin of Sherwood series that was on PBS here in the states or BBC in England. I watched this series as a kid in England and was happy to see it finally come out here in the states. This was the and still is the cheapest place to purchase this set.
Description of Robin of Sherwood - Season 1
The centuries-old legend of Robin Hood was never more vividly brought to life than in this acclaimed British series. Combining real history with elements of magic and mysticism, and set against a backdrop of gritty medieval realism, Robin of Sherwood has captivated fans of all ages. Heading up the superb ensemble cast are Michael Praed (Dynasty) as Robin of Loxley, Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) as seething-mad Scarlet, and Nickolas Grace (Brideshead Revisted) as the greedy, conniving Sheriff of Nottingham. Shot entirely on location in English castles and countryside, the authentic atmosphere is enhanced by an award-winning soundtrack of haunting melodies performed by the Irish band Clannad. Includes all 13 episodes in Series 1 & 2.- OVER 9 HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES!
- Commentaries for selected episodes (Vols. 1, 2 & 4)
- Two retrospective documentaries
- Outtakes
- Behind-the-scenes documentary The Electric Theatre Show, with bonus footage
- Textless title sequences
- U.S. title sequences
- French title sequences
- Cast filmographies
When Robin of Sherwood debuted in 1984, it revolutionized the legend of Robin Hood with a young, scruffy Robin (Michael Praed, later to appear on Dynasty) and his ragged, rough-and-tumble band of thieves. Fusing the derring-do of the traditional story with a more Arthurian magic element (ranging from druidic visions to outright black magic), Robin of Sherwood was an immediate sensation. Unfortunately, not all revolutions age well, and some viewers may have trouble getting past Robin's flowing 1980s hairstyle or the Clannad soundtrack, which seems to have been played on the cheapest, tinniest synthesizer available. More open-minded audiences will enjoy the show's virtues: Gritty, realistic medieval sets and costumes; an amusing blend of feudal politics and occult danger (episodes featured everything from possession to love spells to devil-worshiping nuns); a scenery-chewing performance from Nickolas Grace (Brideshead Revisited) as the Sheriff of Nottingham (the bad guys always have the most fun); and the surly presence of a young Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) as Will Scarlet. All the classic characters are there, including a dewy Lady Marion, towering Little John, plump Friar Tuck, and more. Though sometimes cheesy, Robin of Sherwood never slid into camp, and fans appreciate its earnest interpretation. Set 1 includes the 13 episodes of the first two series, along with a bonus disk of retrospective interviews with the cast and creators, outtakes, and other appealing features. --Bret Fetzer
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