Wednesday, 12 May 2010
NOTTINGHAM'S FINEST!! REMEMBERING "ROBIN OF SHERWOOD"
Righting wrongs in Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood, as played by Jason Connery. Images: HTV/ITV/ACORN MEDIA.
Whilst Russell Crowe bursts onto our screens decapitating Norman baddies and saving England from both corrupt Royalty and politicians in Ridley Scott's critically well received re-imagining (i.e. much dirtier and more authentic looking) of the Robin Hood tale of ancient British mythology, KOOL TV thought it would celebrate the successful return of The Hooded Man with a fond look back to an equally superb and stylish TV series starring the popular Sherwood Forest hero, which shared a similar scenario of high production values, equal critical acclaim and worldwide popularity for nearly four years on UK TV screens- ROBIN OF SHERWOOD.
Fresh from his triumph in translating the legendary exploits of highwayman Dick Turpin into a clever, entertaining adventure (with a well cast Richard O'Sullivan, more known for his comedy series like DOCTOR IN CHARGE and MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE), respected actor and TV series creator Richard Carpenter (who also imagined hit series like CATWEAZLE) decided to turn his hand at crafting an intriguing new version of the Robin Hood legend. Though there had been numerous TV adaptations in the part -each successful in their own right (one of the last, at that time, being the BBC's 1977 adaptation with Paul (BLAKE'S 7) Darrow as the Sheriff of Nottingham), Carpenter thought that it could be done in a new, and excitingly modern film-making way, deciding to give his new world of Robin, now titled ROBIN OF SHERWOOD, an intriguing mixture of realism in the way the story was handled that hadn't been attempted before, and also mixed into the format a healthy dose of modern-style fantasy (in some ways akin to the novels of Tolkien with the introduction of the forest god, Herne the Hunter (played by John Abineri)) and mild horror (as in the black arts of witchcraft, the Devil and demons from he underworld stories of the Dark Ages/Celtic past, and supernatural elements). Furthermore, Carpenter did detailed research and found that there were two legends for Robin Hood-one, the story of Robin of Loxley, the common man and son of a farmer, a staunch advocate of King Richard the Lionheart, who took on the Sheriff of Nottingham, the other, Robin of Huntingdon, an outlaw who came from a noble family who joined the peasants in uprising against the severe taxes imposed by King John-both of these variations have been used in various diluted forms-occasionally merged together-of film and TV, yet Carpenter elected to go with the source material that was the purest, and made his hero a resident of Locksley, a town whose people are slaughtered by the Sheriff of Nottingham to be (the excellently cast, almost born to the part Nickolas Grace) and who, with his step-brother, Much, is sheltered elsewhere until the time comes when enough is enough and they have no choice but to fight back against the injustices being perpetrated to the country-robbing the rich to feed the poor.
A fine young actor of music and stage show experience, with talent beyond his years, Michael Praed was brilliantly cast as the heroic, but also vulnerable Robin, with the delicately beautiful Judi Trott as the ever loyal Marion (who was much braver and more resourceful than previous versions of the character had been presented, more than capable with the sword and a deadly shot with the bow and arrow-a hero that the female audience could finally relate to and enjoy), the top heavy Friar Tuck (Phil Rose-a far more serious attempt with the character, but that doesn't mean there aren't some funny moments with him), the battle hardened shepherds stick/club fighting Little John (Clive Mantle, before he joined CASUALTY for years), Ray Winstone (fresh from appearances in the iconic UK movie SCUM and the popular Dennis Waterman series vehicle, MINDER) as the maniac but fiercely loyal to Robin, Will Scarlet (and Scarlet as in lots of blood flowing with the death of his enemies (remembering the death of his wife at soldiers hands), Robin's simple-minded step-brother Much (played by Peter Llewlellin-Williams,-a difficult part to pull off, but one which he does very well) and, in a big but very welcome change to the Robin legend, the inclusion of a Saracen soldier, the silent but deadly sword master Nasir (played by Mark Ryan-now doing very well Stateside playing one of the TRANSFORMERS in the recent film series)-don't mess with him: Clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv3DFoR1RY The idea of a Saracen fighter helping Robin and his gang would later be totally ripped off, first by Hollywood in the later Kevin Costner ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES movie and then turned into a female warrior for the BBC's recent, ultimately lackluster tea-time ROBIN HOOD series. On the baddies side, ably supporting the Sheriff are the power mad and always bad-tempered Guy of Gisburne (played with great spoilt schoolboy menace by the late Robert Addie) and the sheriff's equally greedy brother, the corrupt Church head, Abbott Hugh De Rainault (Philip Jackson).
Here's the opening titles for the series, which feature great incidental music by the Irish group CLANNAD, then best known for their haunting music for the Ray Lonnen starring ITV drama HARRY'S GAME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8jmZ77-bvw
And here's a well edited trailer for Seasons One and Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig4bdX5CoDk
By the end of the second season, the series, a firm favourite with ITV viewers, and a strong overseas seller, would undergo a serious change in format with the unexpected departure of Michael Praed who, with his then wife, decided to find fame and fortune in America (Praed having been offered a part in the highly popular soap opera DYNASTY). To replace the much-missed actor, another rising star, of similar looks and experience was considered-a young man named Neil Morrissey (later to star in the Michael Elphick series BOON and then becoming synonymous as the other half of the MEN BEHAVING BADLY opposite Martin Clunes). With good screen and costume test footage, he suddenly disappeared as a Robin candidate when the shows producers realised that Jason Connery (pictured), son of 007 Sean, was now acting and that, by having him as their lead, overseas sales would increase (a gamble that ultimately paid off). Connery became the first blonde Robin and Richard Carpenter now decided to re-frame the series format around the use of the second Robin Hood legend-that of Robin of Huntingdon- though the rest of the action adventure and fantasy format remained unchanged. To help with the new thirteen episode series, a very busy Carpenter would call in the writing service help of Anthony Horowitz, who would later go on to create the popular series MIDSOMER MURDERS and FOYLE'S WAR.
Once more, despite the leading man change and Jason Connery's occasional lapses of poor acting, the third series of ROBIN stayed a huge hit, and the popularity of the show still resonated with the public-and regularly beating its Saturday evening rival DOCTOR WHO (then starring Colin Baker as the Time Lord) in the ratings. Alas, despite all this, the production company that primarily made the series, GOLDCREST (owned by THE BEATLES George Harrison), working in association with HTV television in Wales (where the series was filmed) would sadly become financially unstable and no longer able to finance the show for a fourth run. For a while, fans hopes were high that there might be a feature film version of the series but it never happened, and eventually the box office success of Kevin Costner's movie killed any further chances of a comeback, though that didn't stop the main cast, who were (and still are) great friends throughout the film, regularly meeting up at ROBIN OF SHERWOOD conventions held in the UK. The show continues to flourish on DVD and has occasionally been repeated on satellite television (like ITV 3 and SKY ONE). With its consistently high production values, nicely cast heroes, great guest stars (George Baker, Michael Crawford, Rula Lenska, Anthony Valentine, Ian Ogilvy, Lewis Collins, Martin Shaw, John Nettles) and talented directors (including Gerry Mill, 24's Ian Sharp and pop-video man Sid Roberson), the series remains one of the most beloved of the eighties TV universe.
Long may the Hooded Man rein in the forest of Sherwood!!
KOOL TV FAVOURITE EPISODES
ROBIN HOOD AND THE SORCEROR. Feature length pilot from 1984 that brings all the cast together in fighting against the evil black magic of the Baron De Belleme (Anthony Valentine).
SEVEN POOR KNIGHTS FROM ACRE. A group of dangerous French Knights invade Sherwood looking for a stolen religious artifact that belongs to them. Nothing will get in their way of retrieving it.
THE KING'S FOOL. King Richard (a big performance from John Rhys-Davis!!) secretly returns to England, and Robin is spellbound by his leadership. But is there more than meets the eye with the King's new allegiance with the Outlaws?
THE SWORDS OF WAYLAND. Creepy stuff in this two parter, with lots of atmosphere and action, as the Devil worshipping Rula Lenska sends her nightmare riders out to find the last sword of power that will resurrect the Dark Lord. Only Robin, and his own unique sword, can challenge her. In its original transmission, this tale had some complaints as to whether it was too strong for its six p.m. family viewing slot.
Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZWT3GJBX7E
THE GREATEST ENEMY. King John issues a final ultimatum to the Sheriff to rid Nottingham of Robin and his outlaws. A cunning scheme to trap them is initiated-one that may truly mean the end of the line for Robin of Locksley.
HERNE'S SON. In Season Three's opening two-parter, Jason Connery steps into big shoes as the new Robin, as he tries to re-unite the fractured outlaws when Marion is captured by the savage Owen of Clun (Oliver Cotton).
THE SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM. Lewis (THE PROFESSIONALS) Collins guests as the Sheriff's dangerous new replacement. Alongside him is an old enemy from Nasir's past. Needless to say, all parties will clash heads (and swords!!).
THE TIME OF THE WOLF. The final two part episode sees THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW's Richard O'Brien return as the scheming alchemist Gulnar, using a cult of warriors, the Wolves of Fenris, to attack Robin and starve Nottingham of grain.
All three seasons of ROBIN OF SHERWOOD are available on DVD from NETWORK DVD. A special edition Blu-ray release of the two Michael Praed seasons, restored in pristine quality from the original source materials, have also been released in the UK from NETWORK DVD and in the US from  ACORN MEDIA.|Спойлер

Robin Hood could be the next iconic TV brand to get the Doctor Who treatment, with BBC1 developing a new version for an early Saturday evening family audience.
The BBC1 controller, Peter Fincham, said that the success of Doctor Who had "perceptibly changed the landscape of Saturday night" by reviving the idea of whole families watching TV programmes together.
Mr Fincham added that the BBC was developing a number of new family dramas, including Robin Hood, for the Doctor Who slot at 7pm on Saturday nights.
"We are developing, and hope to do, a Robin Hood. It's another iconic family drama brand that once in a generation is good to look at," he said.
Mr Fincham added that he hoped to bring the same high production values and quality of writing seen on Doctor Who, which cost more than £10m, to the new version of Robin Hood.
"Why shouldn't these values and these writers be brought to family drama, not just 9pm drama?" he said.
The last time British TV adapted the tales of Robin Hood and his merry men was in the 80s.
In 1984 ITV aired Robin of Sherwood, starring Michael Praed.
Jason Connery - whose father Sean played an ageing Robin in the 1976 film Robin and Marion - took over the role from Praed in series three, when Praed's Robin died and Praed went off to star in US soap Dynasty.
Jason played Robin Huntingdon, who, fortunately, had the same name as his predecessor and so took over the role of Robin Hood.
The viewers swallowed the laboured excuse for ITV to continue the series and it was a big hit.
ITV was also the first British TV station to bring the legendary character to the small screen.
The Adventures of Robin Hood was the first production from the newly-formed independent company ITP and ran on ITV from 1955-60.
It starred Richard Greene as a foppish Robin and Yes Minister star Paul Eddington as Will Scarlett, and became of the top-rated British programmes of the 1950s.
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