The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Complete Series [DVD]

Going back some fifty years since last seeing it, the series is both enjoyable and revealing. All the episodes were recorded between 1955 and 1960. Well known names from British film and TV make appearances, for example Thora Hird and Leslie Phillips, Nicholas Parsons, plus Paul Eddington (Yes Minister / Yes Prime Minister) and Alfie Bass. Many actors appear weekly in different roles. This is quite amusing, and it must have been fun for the actors themselves. The regulars are Robin, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John and Friar Tuck.

The episodes resemble mini feature films rather than a TV series. Some of the actors are obviously from the old Shakespearian school. The stories are well written, well presented and acted. The sets are convincing and evoke the period well. There are occasional instances of anachronism, where a nineteenth century farm cart may appear next to a medieval one, but it all adds to the charm, and given the limits of budget, one is always totally convinced that one has entered the middle ages and the world of Robin Hood.

The picture quality is very acceptable and does not interfere with successful viewing.

The episodes in this set were presented for the American TV market. Occasionally, one is treated to the name of the sponsor of the show, for example, Wildroot Cream - Oil, either at the start or end but not during the show. One is still treated to the familiar opening music of the show, with Richard Greene aiming his longbow and firing an arrow at a tree. The familiar Robin Hood song features at the end. Some of the episodes have the credits from a different episode at the end, so checking which actor is which can be difficult. The episodes appear to be derived from various sources and they are not always in order of recording or transmission. However, most episodes are stand alone and this is not a problem. Some are entitled 'Adventures in Sherwood Forest', as issued to the American market. Whatever the source, it's totally English with Richard Greene as Robin Hood.

The set is sold as region 1. I took a chance and the set plays well on my region 2 player in the UK. The set appears to be region free. No region code is evident on the box set itself. I ordered from the States, but the postage on the package had a German stamp. I ask no questions.

Overall, this is an excellent TV series from a golden age of pioneering TV. Regulars such as Richard Greene as Robin, Alexander Gauge as Friar Tuck, amongst others, serve to make this a memorable series, even for those too young to recall it.

For the price, it's a real bargain.

The Robin Hood box set arrived from the U.S in 12 days, which was quicker than I was expecting. The product was sealed & no damage was sustained en route.

Considering this TV series is over 50 years old, the episodes stand the test of time very well & are exciting & entertaining to watch. It's also fun looking out for a host of well-known actors in what must have been very early roles for them. In Series Three, for example, Paul Eddington seems to turn up in nearly every episode, playing a different character every time!

A word of advice for those buying this box set, who haven't seen the series before: the prints used for Series One are very poor quality and not really good enough to release on DVD. Series Two to Four are much more consistent and better in quality, some incredibly good for their age. It might be an idea to start watching from Series Two to the end of the collection and watch Series One last. By then you'll have enjoyed the show so much that you'll forgive the poor visual quality of Series One!

Apart from this aspect, this collection represents such good value for money that you shouldn't let that stop you from buying this release. Overall, a very enjoyable series, even though I'm too young to remember it from the original broadcast!

I couldn't believe that I could get decent copies of this series for less than £20, and I nearly didn't buy it. However although the series is recorded in Extended Play, the 143 episodes are of good quality, and therefore represent exceptional value.

Furthermore this is a thoroughly delightful series full of charm and warmth. Indeed the archive nature of the episodes make them seem as old as the legend of robin hood itself.

For an enjoyable glimpse into what seemed a gentler, kinder and more tolerant time in the 1950s when it was made, this series is hard to beat.