May 1999
Robin
of Sherwood
[North American title: Robin Hood
or Robin Hood -- The Legend]
Starring Michael Praed and Jason Connery
Created by Richard Carpenter
(An
HTV production in association with Goldcrest Television Limited, 1984-6)
For
a more in-depth look at this series I conducted two interviews.
Series
creator Richard Carpenter shares his thoughts on RoS.
Mark
Ryan (Nasir) offers many insights on playing the first Muslim Merry
Man, the filming of the series and the Pagan elements of the show.
Richard Carpenter, the creator of Robin of Sherwood, passed away on Feb. 26, 2012. This article was originally written in the early days of my website. I'm busy writing a new and considerably larger article about the show -- one of my favourite versions of the legend.
If
imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery, then Robin of Sherwood
must be one of the most flattered filmed versions of the legend ever. Oh,
the Errol Flynn movie The Adventures of Robin Hood still dominates
in the public eye, and all Robin Hood movie makers either borrow from or
consciously depart from the Flynn film (oftentimes they do both). Even
"Robin Hood and the Sorcerer", the double-length first story of Robin
of Sherwood (RoS for short), owes a debt to Flynn. The difference is
that most people are aware of the influence of Errol Flynn. I think many
of RoS's contributions to the legend are known only to the filmmakers,
TV producers and novelists who do the borrowing, and to RoS's dedicated
core of fans.
 As
almost an afterthought, a Saracen warrior named Nasir joined Robin's band
in Robin of Sherwood. Mark Ryan's performance as Nasir obviously
left an impression as an Arab Merry Man has appeared in many versions since
Robin
of Sherwood, most notably Morgan Freeman's character in the 1991 film
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.
Also,
Ray Winstone's portrayal of Will Scarlet as a near-psychotic, angry rebel
influenced Christian Slater's Will Scarlet in Prince of Thieves
and was even more completely borrowed in Jennifer Roberson's novel The
Lady of the Forest.
And
while magic has been a part of the Robin Hood pantomimes for nearly two
hundred years, the prominent fantasy element in Robin of Sherwood
has inspired the magic in Prince of Thieves, The New Adventures
of Robin Hood TV series and many other post-RoS versions.
Yet
in the mainstream media, all these innovations have been credited to Prince
of Thieves, an inferior and later movie. This makes me feel very protective
of Robin of Sherwood. Oh, if you were to say "Robin Hood" to me,
I'd most likely see Errol Flynn in my mind's eye, but deep down I feel
that Robin of Sherwood is my Robin Hood.
 This
TV series (which, by the way, was not made by the BBC and was instead shown
on the British commercial channel ITV -- something that most North American
video guides get wrong) was the brainchild of Richard Carpenter, a creator
of many notable British children's series. Carpenter wrote all the episodes
in the first two series and half of the third series. His writing is one
of the show's many strengths.
Robin
of Loxley is chosen by Herne the Hunter (a stag-headed spirit first mentioned
in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, but inspired by various
European horned gods and Wild Huntsman legends) to be a protector of the
English people. Michael Praed played this role with a beautiful fey quality.
You could believe that his Robin was almost messianic, subject to visions
and in touch with divine forces.
When
Praed left at the end of series two, the show did not merely re-cast the
part of Robin of Loxley. Instead Robin sacrifices his life to save Marion
(played by Judi Trott) and his foster brother Much (Peter Llewellyn Williams).
Herne (John Alberini) summons Robert of Huntingdon, an earl's son, to become
the new Robin Hood and carry on the good fight. Jason Connery played the
second Robin Hood with a more down-to-earth quality.
The
death and sort-of "resurrection" of Robin Hood is one of the most powerful
elements of Robin of Sherwood. By making Robin Hood an ideal more
than a single person, this series pays tribute to the diverse nature of
the legend. (It also gets to include two of the many "origins" that Robin
has been given over the centuries.)
The
cast is superb. Scenes of the band training or at play (oftentimes this
is the same thing) shows a real bond among Robin's band. Clive Mantle's
Little John is especially good at silently showing his love for his comrades-in-arms.
The series also boasts one of the toughest Marions on film, played by Judi
Trott. She can outshoot everyone but Robin himself. And of course, there's
Ray Winstone as the loveable tough guy Will Scarlet. Nickolas Grace plays
the oily, political Sheriff of Nottingham and the late Robert Addie is his blustering
and bullingly lackey Guy of Gisburne. RoS also features many guest villains,
played by actors such as Richard O'Brien and Anthony Valentine.
 And
then there's soundtrack by Clannad. Robin Hood historian Stephen Knight
calls it "somewhat Celtic, distinctly electronic, vaguely hallucinatory."
It's available with the rest of Clannad's albums under the title Legend.
(Not to be confused with the soundtrack for the movie called Legend.) The
music won the show an award, and on a personal note, sparked my interest
in Celtic music.
I
discovered Robin of Sherwood on PBS in the late 1980s (it had originally
been played on the US cable network Showtime). This show rekindled my interest
in all things Robin Hood. (It also kindled my interest in a classmate,
a fellow fan, but hey I was young and foolish.) I owe this series a tremendous
debt.
I began by saying that the Robin of Sherwood is one of the most imitated versions of Robin Hood. While RoS was influenced by what came before as well -- and not just by old ballads. The once-much reprinted children's novel by Evelyn Charles Vivian contains much that will seem familiar to the fans of Robin of Sherwood.
The sheriff and abbot are called Robert and Hugo de Rainault. A villainous "Belame" plots to marry the Kirklees-bound Marian. Marian's father, a secret prisoner, is rescued while Robin saves a captured Merry Man. There are attacks made
with beehives, swords on a string, and much more. However, it does lack the true magic of RoS, both literal and metaphorical. This gorgeous
edition from Chronicle Books is illustrated with art from woodcuts, centuries'
worth of Robin Hood book illustrations, comic book art (the cover art is
from the 1950s Classics Illustrated comic book), shoe advertisements and
more. It's worth it for the art alone.
Buy it on Amazon.com
In the
Europe, Network Video has released the series on DVD in the UK. In 2007, Acorn Media released the series for Region 1, North America with nearly all the same special features as the UK versions. In 2011 and 2012, Network and Acorn released the series on Blu-Ray.
Robin of Sherwood: Set One. This North American release contains all the Michael Praed episodes and most of the special features found on the European releases.
Buy
the North American DVD (Region 1, NTSC) on Amazon.com
Robin of Sherwood: Set Two. This North American release contains all the Jason Connery episodes and most of the special features found on the European releases.
Buy
the North American DVD (Region 1, NTSC) on Amazon.com
Robin of Sherwood: The Complete Collection. This North American release contains all the Michael Praed and Jason Connery episodes and most of the special features found on the European releases.
Buy
the North American DVD (Region 1, NTSC) on Amazon.com
Robin of Sherwood Blu-Ray: Set 1. In 2011, Acorn released the Michael Praed episodes on North American Blu-Ray. Although the picture is intentionally grainy at times, the quality is superior to the DVD. It shares the same special features of the earlier release and also includes new featurettes with Philip (Abbot Hugo) Jackson, George (Richard of Leaford) Baker and director Robert Young, and also PDF files such as Carpenter's early outline for the series.
Buy the North American (Region A, NTSC) Robin of Sherwood: Set 1 [Blu-ray] on Amazon.com
Robin of Sherwood Blu-Ray: Set 2. In Feb. 2012, Acorn released the third season (the Jason Connery episodes) on Blu-Ray.
Buy the North American (Region A, NTSC) Robin of Sherwood, Set 2 [Blu-ray] on Amazon.com
Buy Robin
of Sherwood on PAL-format DVD or Blu-Ray (Not Playable on most North American
players) on Amazon.co.uk. The DVDs include special features like documentaries, blooper reels and commentary tracks with the writers, directors and (on episodes from the 3rd series) cast.
Robin
Of Sherwood: The Complete Series PAL DVD This boxed set features all 26 episodes from the three seasons and includes a bonus disc.
Robin
Of Sherwood - The Complete Series 1 PAL DVD
Robin
Of Sherwood - The Complete Series 2 PAL DVD
Robin
Of Sherwood - Series 3 - Part 1 PAL DVD
Robin
Of Sherwood - Series 3 - Part 2 PAL DVD
Robin of Sherwood - Michael Praed [Blu-ray] [Region Free, UK, PAL edition]
Robin of Sherwood - Jason Connery [Blu-ray] [Region Free, UK, PAL edition]
Legend by Clannad. The soundtrack
from the Robin of Sherwood TV series. This music by
one of Ireland's finest bands won a BAFTA award. It's
mystical Celtic music with a touch of rock.
Buy it on Amazon.com
Buy
it on Amazon.co.uk
Clannad: Live in Concert. This concert album includes an 11-minute Robin of Sherwood medley with a few snatches of music not found on the Legend album.
Buy it on Amazon.com
Buy it on Amazon.co.uk
Visit my RoS timeline, a guide to the confusing continuity of the series.
If
you're interested in seeing the series or in joining the official RoS fan
club Spirit of Sherwood, please write to Christine Haire at ChrisRHood@aol.com.
Here
are some of the many websites dedicated to Robin of Sherwood.
-
Robin
of Sherwood (Website about a fabulous British TV show from the 1980's,
and home of the official fan club, Spirit of Sherwood.)
-
Gisburne's
NASTY Knight Page (Come spend an entertaining day in a Nottingham
dungeon, courtesy of Robin's enemy, Sir Guy and his secretary, Claire.
And don't worry, I'm sure they've forgotten about that mass gaol break
I led.)
-
Scarlet
Inside (A superb website dedicated to Will Scarlet, particularly as
played by Ray Winstone in Robin of Sherwood. The designer of this page
helped redesign my site in 2000.)
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