TV Box Set Review: Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection

TV Show Info:
Writers: Richard Carpenter, Anthony Horowitz, Andrew McCulloch and John Flanagan
Directors: Ian Sharp, Robert Young, Ben Bolt, James Allen, Gerry Mill, Sid Roberson and Alex Kirby
Cast: Michael Praed, Jason Connery, Ray Winstone, Clive Mantle, Phil Rose, Peter Llewellyn Williams, Mark Ryan, Judi Trott, Nickolas Grace, Robert Addie, Philip Jackson, John Abineri
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Acorn Media

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: April 28, 1984-June 28, 1986
DVD Box Set Release Date: July 29, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $74.99

I really like shows about Robin Hood. I’m into the time period in which the show is most often set. I’m not really sure what it is about a simpler time in Britannia, but I really like to find well written shows and movies that explore this specific period in history. This is what prompted me to request a copy of Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection. I’d never heard of this series before reviewing it. Released on DVD by Acorn Media, this show aired on British television in the mid-1980s. The show was a collaborative effort by HTV and Goldcrest Films.

It’s not just that I didn’t have a channel that aired Robin of Sherwood. The show first aired when I was four years old. I was much more interested in Sesame Street and The Smurfs then any of the adult shows my parents were watching. Had I been a teenager (or older) I am sure I would have enjoyed watching this show, but I was just too young to appreciate or even know that Robin of Sherwood existed.

Now that I’m in my 20s, I can enjoy this show for what it is. I love British television shows, especially those that are well written. Robin of Sherwood is no exception. I’d say that this series is the definitive version of the legend of Robin Hood. The story sticks close to the myths and the historical aspect, which even included filming in a location that was historically accurate with the setting, made this show a step above all other versions of the Robin Hood tale.

It’s hard to explain exactly what makes this the best version. You just have to watch Robin of Sherwood to appreciate the show for what it is. With excellent writing, a stellar cast that includes Ray Winstone, interesting storyline progression and snippets of humor that are interwoven with drama Robin of Sherwood has all the elements of an exceptional television series. You hear those of us who grew up in the 80s or before say “they don’t make television series like these anymore”. Well, I believe that for Britain, the same can be said about Robin of Sherwood.

I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but having seen later incarnations of the Robin Hood story in both film and on television, I have found that these versions of the story seem to take something from what has been offered in Robin of Sherwood. Before this, there were many aspects of the time period that had never been explored. There were also no references (that weren’t brushed over) to the pagan beliefs that were prevalent in the area at the time in which Robin Hood (medieval times) lived, before this series. That is something that truly makes Robin of Sherwood unique.

Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection was released as a ten disc set. The various episodes from all three series’ (in Britain seasons are called series’) of the show are spread out across these discs. There is over 1300 minutes worth of material on these discs and the DVDs come in a sturdy, DVD case with a booklet spread for each of the DVDs to be placed inside.

The Robin of Sherwood Plot
If you know the basic story of Robin Hood then you only know a small part of the story told on the show Robin of Sherwood. It’s true that the show revolves a man by the name of Robin of Loxley (Michael Praed). He eventually becomes Robin of Sherwood, an outlaw who is more hero than bad guy as he robs from the rich and gives to the poor. He is at odds with the Sheriff of Nottingham (Nickolas Grace). Robin is joined in the fight by his band of Merry Men. This is made up of Will Scartlet (Ray Winstone), Little John (Clive Mantle), Friar Tuck (Phil Rose), Much (Peter Llewellyn Williams), the Lady Marion (Judi Trott), and Nasir (Mark Ryan), a Saracen.

The sheriff has many who are loyal to an England that is cruel to many of the people who are citizens of this “supposed” England. There are frequent attacks on villages. In the very beginning of the series, Robin is saved by his father, when he is taken from Loxley, which is being destroyed. Unfortunately, his father doesn’t make it and Robin must grow up with an adopted family in this tyrannical setting. When Robin has a run in with the law, in which he is placed in a cell, he plans an escape with the others in jail (many of whom become his Merry Men). The men make it to Sherwood Forest, where they live off the land and plan to take on the law whenever they can.

There are 24 episodes plus a two-part pilot episode, included in the Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection box set. Here is a list of all the episodes, which are split up by disc.

Note: Special Features are listed where appropriate.

DISC ONE
- “Robin Hood and the Sorcerer, Part One”
-“ Robin Hood and the Sorcerer, Part Two”
- “The Witch of Elsdon”
- “Seven Poor Knights from Acre”

DISC TWO
- “Alan a Dale”
- “The King’s Fool”
- “The Prophecy”

DISC THREE
- “The Children of Israel”
- “Lord of the Trees”
- “The Enchantment”

DISC FOUR

- “The Swords of Wayland, Part One”
- “The Swords of Wayland, Part Two”
- “The Greatest Enemy”

DISC FIVE
- Special Features

DISC SIX
- “Herne’s Son, Part One”
- “Herne’s Son, Part Two”
- “The Power of Albion”
- “The Inheritance”

DISC SEVEN
- “The Sheriff of Nottingham”
- “The Cross of St. Ciricus”
- “Cromm Cruac”

DISC EIGHT
- “The Betrayal”
- “Adam Bell”
- “The Pretender”

DISC NINE
- “Rutterkin”
- “The Time of the Wolf, Part One”
- “The Time of the Wolf, Part Two”

DISC TEN
- Special Features

While I enjoyed nearly all of the series I’d have to say my favorite episodes were in the beginning of the series. While there isn’t really much to complain about, the untimely exit of Michael Praed made the show go in somewhat of a different direction. I felt that Carpenter and the rest of the writers did a good job of setting the show up in the first season, which is why I much prefer these episodes to those later.

Before I stop talking about the production aspect of the show, I should mention the hauntingly accurate soundtrack performed by the award winning Irish folk band, Clannad. I always was a fan of Clannad and the music they made for the series not only won awards, it also fit quite well with the show. You’d expect a show like this to have a folk-type, ethereal quality to it. The location in which Robin of Sherwood was shot is perfectly fitting for the show. The production was done specifically on location in a region in which the trees were authentic to the medieval era in which the story took place.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
I was pretty certain, before I knew for sure, that all of the episodes included in the Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection box set were filmed in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. It isn’t that the quality is necessarily bad. These full frames are decidedly dated. There are minor visual errors such as softness, but that does add a bit to the whole mystique of the series, so in some ways it is a benefit. The color palette isn’t quite as vibrant as you’d expect in a show filmed today, but none of that really matters. All of the episodes are just so well written that it is okay that this show looks exactly as I’m assuming it did when it originally aired.

The audio quality for the episodes in this set is fairly decent. The music is important and comes through clearly. There wasn’t a need to toggle with the volume. Sure, the audio wasn’t that dynamic. It was only presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo quality. For what it is, the audio quality is capable enough. Sound effects sound realistic enough, dialogue flows smoothly. There isn’t much to complain about in terms of the audio and while not perfect, it gets the job done. Closed Captioning is available in English, for the hearing impaired.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
The Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection DVD Box Set is brimming with bonuses. Not only that, but these bonuses are not just used as fluff or fillers. There are many very nice bonuses that complete the ultimate package for an already extraordinary DVD. There are two bonus discs. Set 1 is the first four discs, with the fifth disc being a bonus that accompanies the set. Set 1 is comprised of the first two seasons. Set 2 is the much longer third season and disc ten is the bonus for this set. In all, these two discs feature four retrospective documentaries. Nearly all of the cast in the three seasons are present on each respective disc. This offers a look back at a series that was loved by all, and the cast talks candidly about their joy in filming this.

There are a total of 14 different commentaries on over half the episodes in this set. These commentaries are incredibly interesting and make a great addition after watching the show on its own. There is a Making of Documentary feature, “The Electric Theater Show”. This contains everything you ever wanted to know about the show from a behind the scenes standpoint. It features extra bonus footage. There is a Making of feature that offers up “Clannad: Scoring Robin of Sherwood”. Other bonuses include a gag/blooper reel, outtakes, credit sequences in U.S. and French, textless credit sequences and additional behind the scenes footage.

It is clear that everyone involved loved making Robin of Sherwood. These bonuses are the icing on the cake to an already perfect set.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Robin of Sherwood is an excellent television series. If you have an interest in Robin Hood, British drama, or you just like good storytelling in your television shows, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection. This is now a new favorite television show of mine and it is one of the best British television series I’ve ever watched. I highly recommend the Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection box set. It might be expensive, it might look decidedly 80s when it comes to the visual quality, but it is downright entertaining and utterly engaging making it well worth what you’ll pay for this ten disc set.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Robin of Sherwood – The Complete Collection, Michael Praed, Robin Hood, Loxley, Merry Men, Sheriff of Rottingham, Britain, hero, DVD, Box Set, British television, TV show, 80s

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
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Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.