Robin of Sherwood - The Complete Series (Reconfiguration) [DVD]

Robin of Sherwood is an imaginative version of the famous 12th Century legend Robin Hood. Here Robin is "Robin of Loxley". His adventures begin when his home at "Loxley Mill" is destroyed by Norman soldiers. Robin wants revenge and sets about getting it.
This series was produced in the 1980s and it was created by Richard Carpenter who earlier had worked on the series Dick Turpin.
Robin of Sherwood is a fabulous series. There are some great original stories and ideas here. And the DVD set brings together all of the episodes from all of the series as well as some good special features.

Robin of Sherwood weaves the legend of Robin Hood together with pagan beliefs that people of the 12th Century would no doubt be more familiar with. Seeking revenge, Robin encounters mystical "Herne the hunter" a sort of spirit protector of nature and the oppressed Saxon folk. A shamanic figure who is believed to be a forest spirit representing the powers of light and goodness, inspiring and protecting the Hooded Man. Herne appears as a man with a Stag's head.
Here Herne appears to Robin as a man wearing a stag's head. He tells him that he has chosen him to be the peoples champion and to be the son of .Herne. He endows Robin with the sword Albion. Robin then becomes "The Hooded Man" also known as Robin in the Hood, and better known as simply Robin Hood.
Lady Marion, Maid Marion of Leaford (Judi Trott), Little John, (Clive Mantle) Will Scarlet, (Ray Winstone) and Friar Tuck, (Phil Rose) are all familiar characters that join Robin. Also in this version we get the wonderful character of "Nasir" (Mark Ryan). A Saracen assassin, who had been captured in Palestine by Baron de Belleme, and brought back to England to work as his henchman. He is freed when Robin kills the Baron and, having found respect for Robin during a crucial sword fight, decides to join the Merry Men. Throughout the series, he speaks very little.
This additional character seems to have influenced further adaptations of Robin Hood through film and Television.
The Sheriff of Nottingham is played brilliantly by Nicholas Grace and Guy of Gisbourne is excellently played by Robert Addie.This great series also featured many familiar stars in guest appearances.

Michael Praed, (Robin) left the series after two seasons. He went on to Broadway and the TV series Dynasty in America.
The third series brings in the storyline that Robin of Loxley is killed in an ambush but his revolutionary spirit is assumed by a new "Hooded Man" Robert of Huntingdon. (Jason Connery) Robert is a lad of noble blood who, like his predecessor has been inspired by Herne the Hunter. Robert rescues the "merry men" and becomes Robin in the Hood.

The music is hauntingly beautiful and comes from Clannad. The whole series has unique camera work and lighting with soft focus and atmosphere. The stories are interesting and adventurous.
It is clever the way mysticism is presented in a believable way. It is not magic as such. But there is a "physical" presentation of spiritual pagan belief that is full of atmosphere.

The whole series is as enjoyable today as it was back in the 1980s when it was first made. The DVD set is well presented with great picture quality and picture restoration. Also the sound is fabulous with its new digital stereo mix. I enjoyed watching the whole series more this time round than when it was originally on TV.

A very influential and enjoyable adaptation, looks and feels still very fresh in spite of its age to boot. The cast chemistry is very good, and so are clothes and locations. Even some details ( some haircuts - Robin's hairstyle is so early 80's rockstar, for instance ;p - and some 'home-made looking' low budget SE ) in this case add to the charm of this production.
I'm a bit of a Robin Hood fangirl (the hooded man is one of my earliest fictional crushes to boot - the Disney animated classic version, then the Sean Connery have always been my favourites since childhood)and now Michael Praed's spin on the character is happily in my top 3. He really has the charisma and fey-like, wood man-like quality required for this role also according to the series' creators ;).
This repackage edition is compact and quite handy, and I quite like the cover compared to previous prints (the black background older prints): the greener, the better!
I can't say how well the pic quality transfer fares compared to other versions, but I find it pretty good - again, considering the film is relatively old - . Audio/volume fluctuates a bit though in some spots.
The only flaw I can find is the lack of subtitles. I'm pretty fluent but I'm not a native speaker... I'm still fine with the series and can get the whole dialogue 90% of the time here, but HOH and not proficient foreign viewers might find out differently. The day they put subtitles I'll happily buy more copies for my friends as gifts.

If, like me, you were disappointed in the BBC's mess of a version of the Robin Hood myth (with its political correctness, modern in jokes, etc., etc.) then treat yourself to this set which shows you how it should be done.

Combining elements of the classic Robin Hood myth with pagan myths around Herne the Hunter, and even elements of Arthurian legend, this series created at atmosphere which was totally devoid in the BBC's recent version. Nikolas Grace was wonderful as the Sheriff of Nottingham and this programme launched/enhanced the careers of now established actors such as Ray Winstone and Clive Mantle. Michael Praed was a much better Robin than the rather wooden Jason Connery, but the wonderful stories meant Connery's contribution didn't detract from the whole.

There are also some great guest appearances, ranging from Rula Lenska to Lewis Collins. Phil Davis appeared regularly as Prince, then King John, also to great effect.

Clannad's haunting music serves to add to the atmosphere of the programme and their CD with the is worth buying in itself.

I've no idea what the extras on this are like, but whatever their quality this set is worth getting just for the stories themselves.

'Nothing is forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten'!