MovieChat Forums > Sword of Sherwood Forest (1961) Discussion > Robin Hood Rides Again

Robin Hood Rides Again

posted 20 years ago by BijouBob8mm
11 replies | jump to latest

This used to be a staple of the Afternoon Movie, after school. Sadly, it seems to have vanished off the face of the earth! Hammer made a trio of Robin Hood films, and this was their best. Anchor Bay, who have rescued many a Hammer title from oblivion, released A CHALLENGE FOR ROBIN HOOD to VHS a few years back. While that was a fun little film (with a rather fetching Maid Marian, if I do say so myself), it seems incredible that SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST has been so neglected. After all, how can any movie that gives us Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham not attract an audience?!!!

[–] stevenmarkand 17 years ago

Just aired yesterday in a beautiful widescreen print on TCM. Not the finest Robin but brought back fine memories of the TV series with Richard Greene. I can still hear the theme "Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen. Robin Hood, Robin Hood with his band of men. Feared by the bad, loved by the good, Robin Hood, Robin Hood..." And Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham! Right on BijouBob8mm!!

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 16 years ago

I recorded this from [UK TV channel] 'More4' last year. in so-called 'Widescreen' (cropped to 1.78:1, not proper 'Hammerscope'). Terrible, blown-up image, heavy interlacing on my PC screen...

So I quickly deleted it. Now yesterday on Channel 4, a... beautiful widescreen print (2.35:1?) was shown, and even the sound was much better. I was not expecting that so wasn't I glad I recorded this broadcast anyway (whilst watching!)? I hadn't checked any TV guides (I usually look at the RT website every day) but did subsequently, and I discovered that Channel 4 had simultaneously showed it in 'Hi-Def' on their HD channel for those Rupert Murdoch subscribers out there! And More4 is Channel 4! Is this a UK TV first for any Hammer film (including "Dracula": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051554 which, as every Hammerhead knows, was last year reissued in the cinema with an amazing digi-sceptic-turning BFI-restored digital 'print')...

...Does anyone know?

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] DavidW1947 15 years ago

SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST has now been released by Sony on a Region 2 DVD as a Movie Mail UK exclusive and is only available through mail order from Movie Mail. Excellent 2.35:1 'Scope transfer, anamorphically enhanced for 16 x 9 televisions and monitors. Excellent colour and sound quality.

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 15 years ago

Thanks! Yeah I knew about that (actually Simply Home Entertainment -who took over DD Video- also sell it online and via catalogue, along with two other, non-Hammer, "Sherwood" films, mischievously packaged as though a series: http://www.simplyhe.co.uk/Search/sherwood/0) Glad to hear your favourable audio/visual report!

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 14 years ago

"i fell in love with the maid marian played by sarah branch. omg, sooo beautiful!"

Thou shalt not covet thy Robin's wife.

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

They called the greatest archers to a tavern on the green; they vowed to help the people of the king.

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

I've just seen this for the first time. I've seen 'A Challenge For Robin Hood' (1967). Now I just need to see Hammer's first Robin Hood movie, 'Men Of Sherwood Forest' I believe it's called. To see which one I like best of the three that they made.

This one has a good cast in it, but I think that I prefer 'Challenge' so far. I found the precise voice of Niall MacGinnis a bit strange as Friar Tuck. Whereas James Hayter in 'Challenge' is good. I can imagine that Reginald Beckwith would have done a good job as Hammer's first Friar Tuck.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Indeed.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Robin in this movie isn't as friendly as Richard Greene's Robin Hood in the TV show.
It's a little jarring.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Agreed.