Robin of Sherwood - The Complete Series [DVD]

Format Reviewed: Blu RayGrowing up in the eighties I’ve always kindled a fondness for revisiting the memorable sights and sounds of my childhood. Goldcrest Films’ (in conjunction with HTV) ‘Robin of Sherwood’ - henceforth referred to here as RoS, was but one such TV show that gripped my febrile young imagination back then.Yet until purchasing this series recently I admittedly I hadn’t seen a single episode since those halcyon days of the mid 1980’s. Thus armed with fond if now very much faded memories I sat down in cautious anticipation, unsure of whether the show would still resonate as strongly it had with my younger, far less cynical self…Conceived and mostly written by Richard Carpenter, RoS’s 3 series, 26 episode run boasts revered legends cast against an hallucinogenic backdrop of mist-filled rural English vistas, haunting synth-laden music and innovative visuals that combine to create a truly remarkable series. Unsurprisingly this seductive formula proved irresistible to contemporary audiences, turning the show into an immediate hit in 1984.Indeed, Carpenter deftly weaves various, often thematically disparate elements together to forge something fresh, vibrant yet still reassuringly familiar. Augmented by the incorporation of ancient mysticism, arcane magic and other more fantastical elements RoS is a series imbued with a dynamism that greatly distinguishes it from its many predecessors.Carpenter’s cast of iconic characters are suitably re-envisioned as well. Though traditionally constrained by the limiting personas imposed by legend, RoS’s dramatis personae are lavished with far greater depth and layered complexity than before. Robin and his merry men are now not always so merry, nor indeed do they always triumph against the Sheriff of Nottingham. Bickering frequently amongst themselves they often appear to be on the verge of dissolution before loyalty or external threat forces them to reconciliation. The series subtlety reimagines Robin too who, though still the jovial, resourceful and authoritative idealist of folklore is now also refreshingly fallible.RoS’s casting is inspired. Michael Praed, as what would prove to be the first Robin Hood, Robin of Loxley, portrays the outlaw as dark, taciturn and vulnerable. Nowhere is this better exemplified than via the excellent first series episode ‘The King’s Fool’: A rare instance of the peripatetic King Richard, usually portrayed favourably in contrast to his conniving brother John, depicted as a dispassionate user of men. Robin too is not immune to his monarch’s beguiling charm, becoming the last of his disillusioned band to realise the King’s perfidy.Rounding out the main cast is a young(er) Ray Winstone of whom ably portrays the now cockney Will Scarlet. The suitably imposing Clive Mantle meanwhile is perfect as the affable Little John. Naturally though it’s the gorgeous Judi Trott as a more feisty and capable Maid Marion that catches this amorous reviewer’s eye!Special mention must also go to the series’ main antagonists, Nickolas Grace and Robert Addie who, as the baleful Sheriff of Nottingham and hapless Guy of Gisburne respectively just about stay on the right side of credible despite visibly relishing their villainy!Yet for all this deserved praise there’s one frustration that undeniably blights the series. Due to a stunning lack of foresight on behalf of the show’s producers a seismic upheaval occurred between the second and third series…Having only signed a short contract Michael Praed boldly decided to leave the show after its expiration at the end of the second series. Having reputedly received a stateside offer he couldn’t refuse Praed’s unexpected departure saddled Carpenter with a perplexing dilemma. After all, how to keep the show going despite the loss of the titular character? Realistically he had two choices: recast Robin or recast Robin’s legend.Carpenter chose the latter and it was unquestionably the correct decision in the circumstances. Now, with Jason Connery as Robin of Huntingdon, the downtrodden peasantry would once more have a hero to assume ‘The Hood’s’ mantle, boldly pledging his bow and his life to the struggle against the oppressive yolk of Old England’s Norman masters! Whilst Connery puts in a credible performance I can only echo practically every other fan’s opinion: Praed is by far the superior Robin!Finally, I could hardly end this review without lauding that which proved so vital a component to the show’s initial success and indeed enduring popularity: Clannad.Yes, everyone (including myself) can fondly remember that famous, evocative theme tune but now viewing this wonderful series again after so long I was reminded that the group’s BAFTA award winning contribution is far more significant.Indeed, Clannad scored pretty much all the series’ incidental music, not just the main theme, and what a magnificently eclectic musical ensemble it is too! Haunting synth-layered melodies, searing harmonies, joyous folksy ditties and copious pagan drum pounding compliment RoS perfectly, complimenting the show’s mystical elements superbly. Overall a wonderful body of work that’s easily available to purchase on physical and digital media thankfully.CONCLUSION:If you remember Robin of Sherwood but don’t own it on Blu Ray, buy it. If you’re too young to remember the show and/or have wandered onto this page by mistake, still buy it!A series that comes highly recommended and crucially one that comfortably transcends the confines of mere nostalgic fulfilment. It’s such a cliche but I’m going to say/type it anyway: they don’t make ‘em like this anymore!A true classic.

I absolutely LOVE this show. I saw it when it first aired. I owned it on VHS, then on DVD - and now I am the proud owner of the blu-ray version!So let's cut to the chase: is there a difference between the blu ray and the DVD? In resolution quality for the episodes themselves - you bet your boots there is!! For the special features/ extras? Not so much (except maybe the newer interviews the quality is higher). But - this is NOT 4K quality - or even full HD quality...but then it is not advertised as such. It was filmed in the 80s on FILM - not video tape like so may shows were back then - and this is where the quality comes from. It is a product of its time though - soft filters and the like - hence a slightly softer image than you might expect for blu ray. But this is as clear an image as we are ever gonna get - and I feel that it is actually even clearer than it was when it first aired! If you are a fan, then even if you have the DVD boxset, this is still worth owning - provided you have a decent enough display to watch it on.Downsides? Well, I haven't gone through all of it yet, but I have heard that the episode order has been a bit mixed up. But then again, so was the order on the DVD set, so this is not a deal breaker for me. The only thing that I DO wish was different was the layout of the inlay: all the episodes and special features are listed on the inside of the inlay. I would have preferred it if there was a booklet included instead - might've been a bit easier to read and a nicer to look at. However, having said this, doing it this way ensures that you are NOT gonna lose it - unlike a loose booklet (potentially!)! And it probably keeps the price down too...But the packaging feels solid enough, it does the job - and despite containing 3 entire series, doesn't feel bulky: it won't take up a huge amount of space on your shelf.As for the show itself - well, I've always been a fan. I managed to fulfill a life long dream and become an extra in the Ridley Scott version of Robin Hood back in 2009 - which incidentally, I feel is the SECOND best version committed to screen (not that I'm biased, or anything!) - but it still made me come back to THIS version and realise how superior it is, despite its age. OK, so the acting may not be up to scratch in a lot of places - but they make up for it in enthusiam, and by the fact that you can see that they had the BEST time making this - it shows on screen, and that means a lot. Also, the vast majority of storylines are great too and will keep you coming back to them. Sure, there are a couple of clunkers - that's inevitable - but even they are strangely watchable...(although those ones probably won't be watched more than once or twice!)I love that this was the first prodcution of the RH legend to not only introduce a Saracen into the storyline (much copied by other subsequent versions), but also the paganism, the occult, and Christianity - the religion and supernatural elements are subjects that have been skipped over in EVERY other version, but back in the day, would've been FAR more important to the people of the time than it is now: it would've been a daily concern, part of their everyday lives - and not just a passing thing. It's this elements - among a few others - that make it stand head and shoulders above the rest.I also love that there is not one studio set in the entire production: it was filmed entirely on location, which definitely adds to the overall look and feel of it - it makes it more realistic. Also, the costumes are top notch - they didn't go overboard in the design, like so may other RH productions, which were either too much like pantomime, or too much like Hollywood ("Hey, we have millions of dollars to make this - let's make the sets and costumes LOOK like we have money to burn...!"). In Robin of Sherwood, the peasants LOOK like peasants - and the rich look like they have more money than everyone else (without being over the top) - and the soldiers look like soldiers that have been funded by the King - but without him having to dig TOO deep into his pockets....tha balance between the different classes is damn near perfect! Not seen it this good before or since!Add to that the superb soundtrack from Clannad that somehow captures that Ye Olde Worlde medieval feel - as well as the feel of ancient church rituals where needed - but also still feels like it's a product of the 80s, yet still manages to work beautifully with the visuals! It cements all the other aspects beautifully.It was ahead of its time - and although it's now very much a product of its time, it still remains timeless - if that's possible!! It has as much an effect on me now as it did back then, and that's no bad thing.If you are a fan, this is a no-brainer must-own. If you have never seen it before, get it on blu-ray - for just under £40 for the entire series, it just doesn't get better than this! (And if it ever goes cheaper than that, you'd be seriously mad NOT to pick up a copy of this!)

I am a big fan of this interpretation of this mythic legend and have already got on DVD and in the dark ages VHS so at long last finally got round to now owning on Blu ray.The picture is much clearer from what I can tell of the stories I've watched so far, have not got to special features yet but the majority seem to be the same as what's on the DVD release.This is the complete series so it stars 2 leading men Michael Praed as Robin of Loxley for 2 series and then Jason Connery plays Robert of Huntingdon.If you grew up in the 80s and were a fan of Robin of Sherwood or the legend portrayed in either various films or tv then this is a must for your collection to savour and enjoy this wonderful show that was unique in its different and ethereal take on the mythical hero with music by Irish group Clannad.