Robin of Sherwood - Season 1
by Alex Kirby
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DVD details
Actor: Anthony Valentine, Michael PraedDirector: Alex Kirby
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, 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: 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.DVD Review: A Very Enjoyable Retelling of the Robin Hood Legend
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd only seen a few episodes on this epic series on PBS (and missed it completely on Showtime), but it was love at first sight. Along with Arthurian legends, the story of Robin Hood has always fascinated me and films seldom did it justice (Errol Flynn and the brilliant Robin and Mirian notwithstanding). I was thrilled to see it finally released in DVD format and in spite of having been produced in the 1980's, manages not to look dated. The music by Irish band Clannad is perfect, transporting the viewer to another time and place.
This isn't Kevin Costner's Robin Hood, though he must have taken quite a few cues from it for his own film. This version has the look and the feel to John Boorman's never-to-be-duplicated classic, 'Excalibur', even casting a member of that film--Robert Addie (who played Mordred in 'Excalibur' and is Sir Guy of Gisburne here). The England of this time is still quite picturesque, full of verdant forests, imposing castles and thatched cottages, but the castles are drafty, rush-strewn edifices, home to not only people but animals (what a smell that must have been), throngs of unwashed peasants, and the cruel yoke of the Norman overlords who view the Saxon people little more than animals. This is a grittier world, and things do not always end happily. The fight for freedom is stained with blood. However, Robin of Sherwood is an epic tale of the triumph of good over evil, of hope over dispair. There is magic, myth and the hero's eternal quest--I think the late Joseph Campbell would approve.
Michael Praed is a fabulous Robin Hood. In the first episodes, he is young and idealistic with a certain rakehell charm (and let's be honest, he looked great in those trousers!). As the series progresses and good people die around all him, his demeanor slowly changes, and he comes to see that for every battle won, the war continues. He is most hurt when the villages he has come to the aid of in the past turn him away in his time of need.
Ray Winstone as the angry but loyal Will Scarlet is brilliant. One never knows what will set him off, and his on again--off again relationship with the leader of their small band makes for great dramatic tension. Little John (played by Clive Mantle) transcends the stereotyped image of the dumb giant and proves to be a caring yet gentle bear of a man. I also adored the character of Lady Miriam, played by Judi Trott. This Marion knows her own mind and learns to shoot a bow and fight alongside the rest of the merry men. It's brilliant that she dons trews for running through the forest rather than a kirtle and chemise (though she wears those too). She reminded me of Jennifer Roberson's retelling of the Robin Hood legend from Miriam's point of view. No simpering miss waiting for the hero to rescue her from the clutches of the wicked sherriff. Friar Tuck (played by Phil Rose) becomes more than just the standard comic relief, serving as warrior, spiritual advisor and friend. The viewer always knows he's a Christian, but he's one whose deeds are far greater than his words. Nasir (Mark Ryan) is awesome as the mighty Nasir, the skilled swordsman. He doesn't speak much, but his body language is elegant and refined.
Herne the Hunter (John Abiniri) was far more effective as shamanistic being rather than another Yoda-type figure. Cypher and companion to Robin, his character is part of a grand literary tradition, and the part reflects that.
On the villians' side, both the Sherriff of Nottingham (played with fiendish glee by Nickolas Grace) and Sir Guy (Robert Addie) are frightfully nasty without being cartoonish. They might be Norman overlords, yet both realize they answer to others higher in status, and are completely cruel because they can do nothing to change their situation. In one memorable episode, the Sherriff condemns innocent jews to death without qualm simply to avoid paying a debt. Of course, both always get their comeuppance in the end, but it only spurs them to further acts of vengeance against the "wolfshead" and the populace at large. Anthony Valentine as the evil Baron DeBelleme is thoroughly wicked, and yet compelling too. He was an awesome nemesis.
On the supposed "anti-Christian" bias: I'm a little surprised by the naivete shown by those who just can't help seeing Middle Age catholism through rose-coloured glasses. The Middle Ages were a time of both religious faith (as personnified by Crusade mania) and pagan sensibilities, especially in small villages where many of the old festivals continued under new names (and still do to this day). To paraphrase a line from Abbot Hugo (played by Phillip Jackson) when confronted by Sir Guy concerning The Blessing, a time when no blood can be shed, the Abbot replies archly, "as long at they attend mass and have their children baptized, I don't care what foolishness the people get into." Thusly, Friar Tuck's tolerance of pagan beliefs would not have been too far from the mark. There are stories about the founding of Glastonbury Abbey, where it is believed Joseph of Arimathea worshipped alongside the druids.
I'm wondering if perhaps the hypersensitive critics missed the beginning of Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation and the posting of the 95 Theses, which included Theses 86: "Why does the pope, whose wealth today is greater than the wealth of the richest Crassus, build the basilica of St. Peter with the money of poor believers rather than with his own money?" The church was very powerful back then, and very rich, and as history has shown, rife with excess. Blaming a show for depicting historical facts because they don't suit a myopic view is rather sad. then again, like most religions, any sort of criticism--even unintentional--is often met with complaints.
Robin of Sherwood is a wonderful series the entire family can enjoy. The violence is appropriate for the times, and there's no excess skin. There's friendship, sacrifice, laughter, honor, love and loyalty--things we don't see enough of on network television these days. I am so happy I added this to my collection.
DVD Review: Simply the best
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so happy to learn this series is available. When it was on tv I enjoyed it so very much and looked forward to it every week. It was the best Robin Hood interpretation I had seen and I believe it still is. It's like taking a time trip. The music by Clannad is just perfect for the show.
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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