I was fortunate enough to have seen this show during its original run on television and I have bought the videos, the DVD's and for the past three weeks, I have had the pleasure of watching the show again from start to finish on blu-ray. A show that is still in my top 5 shows of all time and this version of the story of Robin Hood is still the definitive version and to be honest, it will never be topped.
The show is near on perfect with exactly the right balance of story, action and mysticism, with the latter being done perfectly in my book. Even if you had never seen the show before, I cant think why you would be disappointed with it as each episode is a gem.
The main cast through all three series was just some of the most spot on casting ever in a show and Ray Winstones Will Scarlet will NEVER be topped. He was fantastic in it as he got the balance of the character just right. Another mention should go to Nikolas Grace with his portrayal of The Sheriff Of Nottingham. You couldn't help but love him and hate him at the same time. And his put downs at Gisbourne were at times were just hilarious and some of the real highlights of the show. Guest stars aplenty during its run as well with the likes of John Rhys Davies, Ian Ogilvy, Michael Craig, Lewis Collins (superb!!), Phil Davis (brilliant and hilarious as Prince John!!!), George Baker, Richard O'Brien and Patricia Hodge amongst others just excelling in the roles they were given. Its as if they born to play each of their characters.
My two favourite episodes were The Greatest Enemy and The Inheritance with both episodes having brilliant pay off endings which were done to perfection. The Greatest Enemy is still a tearjerker even today. Also with this series, this was always the legend of Robin Hood I grew up with and was told about: The Silver Arrow and especially the part of the legend that says where Robin Hood fired his last arrow, is the place where he died. For this reason, the show just nails it. With regard to Michael Praed leaving, it was really a double edged sword to be honest. IF he had stayed, the series would still have ended after series three and we wouldn't (or would we??) have got the episode The Greatest Enemy. So it wouldn't have made much difference really. Its a shame he did leave though as he never really went on to anything better afterwards. I always thought he left as he got offered a role in the series Dynasty, but he actually left to go to Broadway which completely back fired on him.
When series three came around, I always remember having no problem with Jason Connery taking over. Again, it was another case of excellent casting and although he was a very different Robin, he seemed to be more 'full on' with the character.
The music by Clannad. Again, it was another case of doing the right thing for the show and their music was just the icing on the cake to be honest. Hernes Theme still send shivers down my spine every time I hear it and its just a shame that we STILL haven't had a proper full release of music from the show for all three seasons. Season three having no release whatsoever!!
After watching the documentaries on the show again, I always thought that the reason a fourth and final series never happened is because Goldcrest who put up a lot of the money for the show went bust after financing the Al Pacino flop Revolution. But this wasn't the case at all. It was the fact that the money just couldn't be found and so we never really got a proper send off for this amazing show. I think this is a real shame as the show never lost its way. But like with most classic shows, the reason they are so good even today is because so few episodes were made.
I ask everyone to watch this version of Robin Hood and don't waste your time with any other version. This has and always will be THE definitive version of the legend. Excellent.
The show is near on perfect with exactly the right balance of story, action and mysticism, with the latter being done perfectly in my book. Even if you had never seen the show before, I cant think why you would be disappointed with it as each episode is a gem.
The main cast through all three series was just some of the most spot on casting ever in a show and Ray Winstones Will Scarlet will NEVER be topped. He was fantastic in it as he got the balance of the character just right. Another mention should go to Nikolas Grace with his portrayal of The Sheriff Of Nottingham. You couldn't help but love him and hate him at the same time. And his put downs at Gisbourne were at times were just hilarious and some of the real highlights of the show. Guest stars aplenty during its run as well with the likes of John Rhys Davies, Ian Ogilvy, Michael Craig, Lewis Collins (superb!!), Phil Davis (brilliant and hilarious as Prince John!!!), George Baker, Richard O'Brien and Patricia Hodge amongst others just excelling in the roles they were given. Its as if they born to play each of their characters.
My two favourite episodes were The Greatest Enemy and The Inheritance with both episodes having brilliant pay off endings which were done to perfection. The Greatest Enemy is still a tearjerker even today. Also with this series, this was always the legend of Robin Hood I grew up with and was told about: The Silver Arrow and especially the part of the legend that says where Robin Hood fired his last arrow, is the place where he died. For this reason, the show just nails it. With regard to Michael Praed leaving, it was really a double edged sword to be honest. IF he had stayed, the series would still have ended after series three and we wouldn't (or would we??) have got the episode The Greatest Enemy. So it wouldn't have made much difference really. Its a shame he did leave though as he never really went on to anything better afterwards. I always thought he left as he got offered a role in the series Dynasty, but he actually left to go to Broadway which completely back fired on him.
When series three came around, I always remember having no problem with Jason Connery taking over. Again, it was another case of excellent casting and although he was a very different Robin, he seemed to be more 'full on' with the character.
The music by Clannad. Again, it was another case of doing the right thing for the show and their music was just the icing on the cake to be honest. Hernes Theme still send shivers down my spine every time I hear it and its just a shame that we STILL haven't had a proper full release of music from the show for all three seasons. Season three having no release whatsoever!!
After watching the documentaries on the show again, I always thought that the reason a fourth and final series never happened is because Goldcrest who put up a lot of the money for the show went bust after financing the Al Pacino flop Revolution. But this wasn't the case at all. It was the fact that the money just couldn't be found and so we never really got a proper send off for this amazing show. I think this is a real shame as the show never lost its way. But like with most classic shows, the reason they are so good even today is because so few episodes were made.
I ask everyone to watch this version of Robin Hood and don't waste your time with any other version. This has and always will be THE definitive version of the legend. Excellent.