|
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive treatment of the age old Robin Hood legend, 8 Sep 2000
It seems that every once in a while, something special comes along that graces that oft gazed at square box that is television. In the UK in the mid eighties, one particular programme of such distinction was the Richard Carpenter penned 'Robin of Sherwood' series which took a fresh look at the mythical outlaw and champion of the oppressed and interwove tales of magic and mysticism. The series, also dealt with a band of rogues who shared a mutual love and respect for each other that had not been as relatively well documented on celluloid previously. Added to that, the haunting presence of Ireland's premier Celtic songsmiths and their subsequent award-winning score and you have the recipe for a mouthwatering slice of TV history.Carpenter, a veteran of period adventures like Dick Turpin and Catweazle had really reached his zenith here and this is clearly demonstrated in these particular episodes where Michael Praed (Robin) clearly at ease in the lead role is called upon to once more do the bidding of the Pagan forest God, Herne the Hunter and protect his brethren against the corrupt Norman dominated lands of Medieval England. The first episode on this video 'Seven Poor Knights of Acre' is a real belter and sees Robin have to excercise his skills when Sherwood Forest is infiltrated by a ruthless company of Crusaders returned from the Holy Lands who seek the return of something they hold precious. The second instalment on this video, 'Alan a' dale' is a rather weaker affair and deals with the presence of a minstrel blithely wandering around Sherwood in search of his lost love who encounters the Merry Men. The last episode on this tape, the King's Fool features John Rhys-Davies, Sallah from the Indiana Jones movies as the returning Richard the Lion Heart, fresh, or not so fresh, as the case may be, from his campaign in Jerusalem, who is outraged to find his bother has usurped his crown in his absence and seeks to get it back. In my opinion this package is much like a sandwich with a poor filling, in that we have here, two classic stories let down my a weaker middle episode. Spellbinding stuff, which unlike many series's of the past has not tarnished with time.
|
