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This is one of my favorite series, all categories, all time.

I was fortunate enough to get a hold of the whole series on VHS a few years ago. I loved it when I saw it back in -91 -92, when I was about 12. I love it as much, or more, today, which is remarkable considering my (hopefully) improved film appreciation and criticism skills. Most of the movies I liked back then I'm not that fond of today, besides for the nostalgia factor. That factor is present here as well, but there's so much more to Robin of Sherwood than nostalgia.

There are only a few bad things about this series. First, the picture and sound quality is so-so, at least in the first couple of episodes. Fortunately, it gets better. Secondly, you could have wished for a bit more blood and realism in the fighting scenes, although I know that was not an option in this case.

So, on to the good things! And there are a lot of them. First of all, Michael Praed IS Robin Hood. I don't think I have seen him in a single role since then, which only strengthen this fact for me. He delivers such a believable performance as Robin. Jason Connery had an impossible task replacing him. The fact that Michael Praed hasn't become a bigger name as an actor is unbelievable. Or perhaps that was his fate, to do this one role perfectly, then disappear.

I love Nickolas Graces Sheriff of Nottingham. He is really not a complex character, but totally rotten. The relation between him and Gisburne is just hilarious. Actually, just looking at de Rainault sitting in his throne, bored, glaring, makes me laugh even before he has said anything. Another actor that deserves extra praise is Ray Winstone as Will Scarlet. You can really feel the sadness inside of him as well as his hate for the soldiers who killed his wife. Winstone is an actor that finally has gotten his well deserved Hollywood breakthrough (in films as The Departed and Beowulf). There are a lot of other great actors here, too.

I love the portrayal of the Robin gang. They are having fun, playing, laughing, you really get a feel of the camaraderie between them, the closeness that comes from a tight bound group such as this. Those bonding scenes are so important.

I think that it being UK produced with British actors really made it better, compared to for example the -92 feature film version with Kevin Costner, that just feels fake, fake, fake. (Christian Slater as Will Scarlet, come on..) The cast being able to speak English with British accent makes it more believable, and I get the feeling that the actors, as well as the director and writers, behind the series can put themselves much more into the shoes of the Robin Hood gang than an American crew could have. The music is wonderful, Clannad is perfect for the feel of the series. The music is another of those things they just nailed.

An exciting addition also is the fantasy and magic spice that is put in there. It's not over the top, but believable and just makes the whole thing better and more interesting. I also love how nicely the mix of comedy, adventure and drama is blended.

Those are a few of the things that makes this series so alive and so genuine. It's by far the best Robin Hood version I have ever seen. I won't wrap up with the "Nothing's forgotten" quote. But one thing that never will be forgotten, for me, is this fantastic Robin Hood retelling. See it.

Three things made this a success: Clannad's music, the crusty, rustic visual style (very different from the manicured Hollywood forests Errol Flynn used to run around), and Michael Praed's jawline. The last may have been useful in attracting viewers initially, but when you watch it I think it's the first that is most important. It's a real case of serendipity: the point to which Clannad's haunting 'prog folk' music had evolved just happened to mesh perfectly with what the show needed - a vaguely mystical hippie vibe, yet also rooted in genuine tradition. It's so atmospheric and nostalgic: the story may be slow and improbable, the script nothing out of the ordinary, the action scenes certainly tame by today's standards; but that music sustains the sense that you are sharing a special adventure with a special group of people.

Robin of Sherwood was initially screened at the optimum time for me - I was a young boy and hopelessly in love with it. For the time - the early-mid 1980s - it was a lavish production, especially by British standards, and a great deal of care had gone into it. At the moment I'm rewatching the entire run. It's being screened on ITV, where perhaps it's consigned to endless repeats, and once again it's wonderful. Sure, there are elements about it that are dated - Robin of Sherwood is nearly forty years old now and, like anything from so long ago, it's technically not up to the level of more recent offerings - but it remains an important and charming effort, and here are some reasons why I recommend it without reservation.

Its background drew in some of the best of British television talent. Sidney Cole, who came armed with a back catalogue including numerous historical dramas, Ealing movies and the excellent Man in a Suitcase series, was on production duties. Richard 'Kip' Carpenter was its main creative force. With Dick Turpin behind him, Kip was already well versed in writing historical dramas, and a retelling of the Robin Hood legend was next on his agenda. But how to tell an old and already countlessly adapted set of myths in a fresh and vital way?

Robin of Sherwood is set in the saga's traditional period, during the interregnum between King Richard I's Crusades and the ascension of King John. England is portrayed as a largely corrupt and morally bankrupt backdrop. The Normans are firmly in charge, the rest of the realm under their heel, and greedy overlords like the Sheriff of Nottingham exist to exploit the masses and grow fat and rich. The church, that other great power broker of the time, is shown to be grasping after land and pursuing its own secular interests. The people need a hero, someone to fight for them, and along comes Robin Hood, ready to steal from the rich and give to the poor.

So far so good, all the things you've seen before, but the real masterstroke of the series is to add mythical elements to the Robin legend. One of the character's longstanding traits, that he's a returned Crusader whose titles and estates are taken from him by the unscrupulous authorities, is excised. Here, Robin is an orphaned noble's son, who via a string of adventures emerges as the leader of a group of disparate outlaws. He's taken on as 'the Hooded Man, champion of oppressed people and made the son of Herne the Hunter, linking him to ancient, pagan woodland gods. This is good stuff, hinting at antique English traditions that linger in the mind, long after the country has converted to Christianity, and is permitted by the church providing the people continue to get their children baptised and remain more or less in line.

In its first two series, Robin is played by Michael Praed, virtually an unknown beforehand and growing in authority and command as he took on the role. Wooed away by Broadway and a part in American soap Dynasty, both ill-fated career choices, it turns out, Jason Connery was then recruited to play the noble-born Robert of Huntingdon who throws his lot in with the outlaws. It wasn't quite the same, and these comments will focus mainly on the Praed era, bookended by his origin story and his character's epic end in the final episode of Series Two. Aspects of Praed's appearance betray the show's dated look - Robin has beautifully conditioned hair (perhaps the waters in Sherwood ran with Timotei products) and is ever clean-shaven - but these are quibbles and can be overlooked within the context of its efforts to present contemporary England in as accurate a way as possible. Everything looks poor and resolutely medieval. The villages are mud huts, straw roofs and rudely designed wagons. Even Nottingham Castle, the acme of high living, is dirty, smoky, and domestic animals run free along its corridors.

The merry men develop a fine sense of camaraderie and genuine affection for each other. They're led by Clive Mantle's Little John, Phil Rose as an earthy Friar Tuck and a young, Scum-era Ray Winstone playing the rebellious Will Scarlett, each line barked through gritted teeth as he poses a constant challenge to Robin's authority. Another unknown, Judi Trott, plays Marian as the archetypal English rose, falling in with Robin's crew as her lands are squabbled over between nobles and the church. And then there's Nasir, marking the first appearance of a Saracen fighter as part of the crew. Another anachronism - he's played by a Yorkshireman, Mark Ryan, and barely speaks because doing so means he would need to get to grips with his character's Middle Eastern dialect.

Ranged against them are a set of authority figures that are beautifully drawn. Give me Nickolas Grace as the Sheriff any day. Smart and politically astute, but perpetually bored and sarcastic, he's wonderfully played. It seems his wardship of Sir Guy of Gisburne (Robert Addie) is more a curse than an honour. The sword-happy yet air-headed Gisburne is a constant disappointment, abusing his position by bedding local women ("another unhappy accident, Gisburne?") and riding roughshod over the locals. In these stories, Gisburne is doomed to be ever two steps behind Robin and it's no different here, though Addie contributes to the fun by mentally being no match for the wolfshead.

RoS is beautifully filmed, depicting Sherwood as an earthly paradise, all lush greens and thick leafy cover for the outlaws. The Irish band Clannad provide a soundtrack that uses contemporary instruments and breathy vocals, and ensures the show sounds nothing like the usual orchestral overtures the accompany the action.

Is it the best adaptation? I am a fan of the 1938 Errol Flynn movie, but few efforts look or sound quite like this one, taking its time to develop the characters and outline the social and political backdrop against which the action takes place. It was a big success, however producing it was a costly affair and ultimately it was cancelled when its financial backer, the production company Goldcrest, ran out of money thanks to some commercial movie flops. We're left with three series, which draw in supernatural elements, myths and legends from England's storied past, and tells us something about the medieval time period. Some episodes are better than others. On occasion it steals from other sources, for instance ripping off the conclusion of Raiders of the Lost Ark in a yarn that otherwise tells of atrocities against the Jewish population. Elsewhere, I can't recommend the two-part The Swords of Wayland highly enough; it pits Robin, often on his own, against devil worshipping nuns who machinate to summon none less than Satan back to Earth. It's gripping storytelling, highly suspenseful, and it was shown in full to a no doubt gripped audience back in 1985.

Watched now, especially against the BBC series from the 2000s, its class and complexity shines through. The latter drama has its good points, even if it serves as an offering to fill in the Doctor Who slot, but it pales against this version, which draws far more faithfully on the England of the time and makes a sincere effort to suggest what life was like, Robin of Sherwood provides a background in which a legendary character like the Hooded Man would be both necessary and retain his romantic goodness during retellings through the ages.

RoS is my favourite series of all time; everything that needs to be said has been said, and really I just wanted to bore, er...share. I had just left home and was living in a bedsit in Clifton, Bristol. Every Saturday evening my friends would come around and we would watch that week's episode and then repair to the pub to discuss it and laugh at the amusing antics and dialogue of the Sheriff and Guy. The series was mainly filmed in Blaise Woods (woodland scenes) and Vassels Park (village scenes) in Bristol in the South West of England (although the extended Demons episode was filmed in Cornwall) and I recognised many of the locations whilst watching it. Some years later I would take my dog Cedric through the same woods and think about the series as I walked through the still recognisable locations (The remnants of the village were still visible in Vassels Park). Sometimes I would see Phil Rose (who played Friar Tuck) in a club I used to frequent on a Friday or Saturday night called The Alexander Club (now renamed The Luna Club) in Clifton Bristol.

Perhaps I should organise tours of these locations for the faithful; just like many towns have ghost walks or history walks!!! I have the full series on DVD and play some of the episodes every now and again; I always have to watch 'just one more episode'!

Fantastic series, one of my few favorites (Miami Vice and Tour of Duty are the other two, and this series is right up there with them).

These guys aren't into wearing frilly tights - they dress more like woodsmen. Everything about this series breathes an aire of realism, artistic license or not.

It paints a picture of a Europe only slightly out of the grasp of paganism, as most of the villagers still have their local deities, and there are Satan worshipping nuns, and magi, witches and sorcerers casting spells.

However, what comes to the fore most, is that it's a series of it's time. Rather than the version of the fifties, which was a lament against centralized government and the McCarthy era persecutions, this series is thoroughly grounded in the 1980s, Thatcherist bleakness, and has a strong environmentalist leaning. Robin's protector is a nature worshipper called Hern The Hunter, who often appears wearing the head of a deer, and is a personification (as is this Robin) of The Green Man, an alternative version of Osiris (the Egyptian god of vegetation and resurrection - it is interesting to note that in these series, Robin In The Hood isn't a person, but a concept; when the old one is killed, a new one is summoned telepathically by Hern - the person may die, but Robin In The Hood will live forever, hence the concept of resurrection).

The music and score are really outstanding, and performed by the Irish formation, Clannad. When watching it, I couldn't help but think how _boring_ authentic medieval Anglosaxon folk music would have been. :-)

All this is beautifully shot in the lush forrests of Wales, which pass for The New Forrest.

The only down side is that in the initial episodes of both series, the actors have to overcome their own skepsis, and convince themselves that this really is a serious work. After that, they get into it and the acting is great! Michael Praed as the first Robin (the second is played by Sean Connery's son, Jason), Judi Trott makes a beautiful and fragile redheaded Marion, Phil Rose as the portly and really kind-hearted friar Tuck, Ray Winstone as the volatile and lovelorn Scarlet, Clive Mantle as the giant shepard Little John, Peter Llewellyn Williams as Little John's bumpkin friend and fellow shepard, and Mark Ryan as the ex-Hashashin/Assassin Nazir - all of them giving great performances. Also great are the steady Bad Guys, Nicholas Grace as the bug-eyed, scheming Sheriff of Nottingham, and his aristocratic, bumbling sidekick (and Robin's half brother, as it turns out) Robert Addie as Sir Guy of Gisburne. Really cool too is fashion designer Richard O'Brien, as the evil Lord Owen of Clun's (Olliver Cotton) magician Gulnar (he appears near the end of the first series and later in the second).

The Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon stood in for the Sheriff's castle. (Check it out on bradfordonavon.co.uk under "places of interest".)

So, if you're at all into mythology, the Middle Ages, romanticism, don't waste your time on Xena or Hercules - this is the real thing, so go out and watch it!

Alex

Being born in 1982, I'm too young to remember this from back in the day. (I only saw it for 1st time around 2020) What I can say is that this production certainly provided (slightly older) kids of the 80's with their screen 'prototype' of the mythological icon Robin Hood, kind of the equivalent of what Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves meant to someone of my age, only more organic and traditional; less Americanized !

Sure, the programme itself is perhaps just another cheesy 80's fantasy production (if not as much as RH:POT !), and sure, such fantasy kitsch can only be so original, and subsequently quite generic ! But it does have its distinct attributes.

For a start, trained ballerina Judi Trott was a very cute, tender, petite and refined Maid Marian, and a particularly confident and talented actress considering she was only 20-years-old in the 1st series.

Other actors included Clive Mantle as Little John; think Casualty, Bottom, Vicar Of Dibley and the 1996 UK stage production of 'Of Mice And Men'. 'Cockney geezer hardman' Ray Winstone was an unexpected choice of actor for Will Scarlett; in the old mid-20th century screen productions of Robin Hood he was typically portrayed as quite camp !

Another substantial element was the tender, harmonic and enlightening theme tune by Clannad; quite evocative of the 'magical' natural forest setting. I believe they did the other music in the production too.

All in all, lets give it 6/10 for cute actresses, enlightening music and an iconic 80's interpretation of old robin Hood, even if it's otherwise yet another quite cheesy and generic 80's fantasy production.

There is nothing more I can add to what has already been said about the entire series. As well as taking me back to a time in my life when the words "mortgage" and "bills" meant anything to me - and when Saturday night prime-time entertainment didn't involve reality TV, people wanting to be pop stars and hour-long programmes to pick lottery numbers when I could do it myself in ten minutes at the most) - there is no other TV show or movie about Robin Hood that even comes close to being on a par with "Robin Of Sherwood."

Every member of this young cast brings their character to life, and the Merry Men are perfectly written and acted. The Sheriff Of Nottingham breaks away from the usual mustache-twirling, scenery-eating bad guy, and has more in common with a corrupt politician than his previous incarnations.

Michael Praed's Robin Of Loxley was certainly a better Robin than Jason Connery's, but that isn't to take anything away from Connery. Praed's swansong in "The Greatest Enemy" is one of the best episodes of any TV show I have seen in such a long time.

Richard Carpenter's knowledge of both the legend of Robin Hood and beliefs in England at that time clearly show here - and it goes without saying that if the people behind "Prince Of Thieves" had this much insight and knowledge of the source material, their "Raw-bin Hood" would not have been so dismal. Blatantly stealing elements from RoS, and yet ignoring others make this film merely a pale imitation of RoS.

Without wanting to sound harsh, Connery seems to have been chosen to garner a little publicity for this often under-rated show; the son of a former incarnation of Robin Hood playing a modern-day Robin Hood. Connery handles the part extremely well, but isn't the actor Praed was. That said, I do prefer the third season episodes and stories to the first two series'. No one would envy having to follow in the footsteps of a role made famous by someone else for two series, and there is - as in all the series' - an excellent camaraderie and relationships - between Robin, his Merry Men and his Merry Woman.

The addition of the "old religion" trying to continue, while the new religion of Christianty tries its hardest to stamp it out. It's ironic that this reminds me of "Prince Of Thieves" in relation to RoS: borrowing a lot of elements from the original, and tweaking them a little. Still, though, the old version prevails over time.

Clannad's soundtrack works excellently alongside the programme - and I doubt RoS would have been the success it was without it. If you don't already have Clannad's "Legend", go out this weekend and treat yourself.

All of the stars appear on the DVD boxsets and everybody has good memories and making this show. Now a huge star, Ray Winstone seems genuinely pleased to take time out to talk about his experiences and love of the show.

Whoever suggested in this discussion that Carpenter should bring all of the Merry Men back together as older, wiser outlaws is 100% right. Do it now.

"Nothing's Forgotten. Nothing Is Ever Forgotten."

By mistake, I ordered a series from the BBC, their new version of Robin Hood. Very disappointing in comparison with RoS. Terrible costuming and backgrounds. While I enjoyed the Sheriff, who took cues from the Nick Grace character, the rest of the cast left much to be desired. As a "for instance", Marion's costuming looked suspiciously like it came from Walmart. And Sir Guy, well, he looked a bit like a character from an outer space movie! RoS has stolen the spotlight, probably forever, in the telling of this tale. Cast, costuming, story lines, scenery, filming and soundtrack by Clannad are all superb, as is evidenced by all the continual feedback some 26 years on. RoS is a timeless classic. My thanks to all who made the series.

Written well, superb support cast and a villain list that werent too serious

Mystical and at it's time, expensive and spectacular to make

A gem of its time

Loved it over and over... still great watching years later

Some people don't appreciate the magical elements in ROS,but they are what sets this series apart, that and the fact the producers actually decided to dress the actors in proper period clothes and armour--not anachronistic feathered caps,multi-coloured tights and plate armour!

But I am really writing to comment on an earlier poster's article. Um, Michael Praed did not leave ROS to do Jules Verne! There are 15 years between these two series. Yup, I agree and Michael might well agree too that leaving ROS was not a good move--but it was a coveted Broadway role that tempted him in '84 and then Dynasty with its megabucks paychecks....

I watched this series on PBS back in the eighties and still watch the old tapes every couple of years or so. Very atmospheric and creepy sometimes. This is a very good show as the characters are all well defined and acted. You are drawn into the plot and come to care for these people. The villains are almost laughably evil, especially the Sheriff of Nottingham. Man, I would love to beat the s--t out of that snotty little bastard. Nicholas Grace does an excellent job and must have had a great time being the Sheriff. His whipping boy, Sir Guy, is equally hissable but is also pathetic. Lots of murder and mayhem in this series, along with tons of black magic and Devil worship and things of that nature. I noticed it got an award for children's television which is surprising. If I had kids, I would not let them watch this. Outstanding use of locations in this show also. It is now on DVD, so go out and buy it.

The adventures of Robin Hood and his merry band of followers - Little John, Will Scarlett, Friar Tuck, amongst others - and his love, Lady Marion, as they fight the forces of evil Prince John and his local representative, the Sheriff of Nottingham.

A fond memory from my teens. A rollicking adventure every week, filled with action and drama but quite innocent in its delivery. Not as gritty or graphic as some other Robin Hood adaptations but this doesn't lessen the impact. Quite engaging and entertaining.

I don't remember the effective replacing of Michael Praed with Jason Connery, or the events in the series that enabled the replacing, so I must not have watched to the end of the second season.

Truly, one of the best TV series of the past 35 years. Each episode stands alone as a story that collectively makes up the legend of Robin in the Hood. Of particular note is the extraordinary acting of Nicholas Grace as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and the exquisite writing. The dialogue is linear at times, and besmirchingly guile at others ("It's a wedding Gisbane, not a celebration.") Amazing to detail in the musical contribution/overwrite. It's one of those shows that invites the viewer to be aware of details in production/direction. The show overall is a force of craft and skill. The episodic storylines maybe could have been more inventive. And the writers seem to have run out of ideas in the final season, but this series is well-worth the watch, the immersion, and the enjoyment.

I have the blu ray boxset because growing up in the 80s, l thought Robin of Sherwood was good. I am an adult now and crikey, what a heap of junk! The acting is abysmal! In fact l am lost for words. Why the top reviews? I am sure someone makes them up because this series doesn't even deserve one star. Love Clannad, Michael Praed looks great but l would kick him out of bed because he just can't act for toffee! Don't waste 10 mins on this. I couldn't get even to 30 minutes of the first episode without giggling and groaning in equal measures. Find anything else to watch. Obviously my childhood was lacking to even think this was good.

Ok, some facts to get a few potential misunderstandings out of the way: This is an early 80's British production. So, everybody expecting the highest US production standards and a gloss factor 10 should back off NOW! Everybody else will have an HONEST ball of a time rediscovering one of the most underrated, and at the same time most precious gems in Fantasy TV as well as movies. This isn't only the definitive blueprint of the 'modern' conception of the Robin Hood tale, as well as 'modern' fantasy, it's also a 25-part journey through high quality Fantasy story-telling as we've ever encountered it before or after. Too bold? I don't think so. Re-watch the excellent DVD collection (the last part will appear in November) and marvel at the originality laying foundations to almost every similar project going.

Be aware! It's old-fashioned and VERY simple! It's demanding and VERY clever! Contradiction? Not really. It's a child of its time as well as a prototype of what's to come. But everyone who's still kept a sense for the simple, as well as most precious prospects in story-telling, will be delighted. This is a unique gem that can only be surpassed by a greater budget coupled with at least a similarly good script. Let me tell you: That hasn't happened yet.

Re-educate yourself in the unique virtues of early 80's UK television. You won't be disappointed.

Schogger13