MovieChat Forums > Robin of Sherwood (1984) Discussion > Disappointed with this show

Disappointed with this show

posted 12 years ago by silverdeep
20 replies | jump to latest

After having complained a bit about the 2006 Robin Hood show with Jonas Armstrong, I was recommended Robin of Sherwood. So far I've seen half of the first series, and am quite disappointed. It's like watching paint dry. Imo it's even worse than Robin Hood, which was at least entertaining for the most part even if it was of poor quality overall. I'm a bit puzzled over the rave reviews and all the people recommending this to me. Is it mostly nostalgia or am I truly missing something?

I'm not a stranger to watching old shows, and am usually pretty patient even if it takes several episodes before it gets good (which happens often with new shows as well tbh) so that's not the problem.

Does it become better in the second half of S1 or at least early S2? Have I just not reached the defining moment for this show yet? At this point I'm uncertain if it's worth my time to continue or if I should just give up and realize it's not for me. Any input would be appreciated!

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] auroracat-1 12 years ago

It's definitely different from BBC RH (2006). Closer to the old Adventures of Robin Hood.

In general the writing for RoS is much tighter and better and across the board the acting of the whole cast is much better, though there are some stand out performances in BBC's RH. The ensemble was better in RoS.

The portral and writing of Marion in RoS is by far better than RH and it's pretty obvious that Nicholas Grace's Sheriff was the inspiration for not only Prince of Thieves, but also for RH.

I love that it was filmed as close to the real Sherwood Forest as they could make it and I also prefer the fact that they weren't trying to make any "current" political statements as the 2006 RH tried to do.

Given that they had to do all the stunts for real and didn't have the advantage of CGI, I think RoS is amazing. I wonder what that group of people could do with the current technology. The magic/mysticism with Herne would certainly benefit.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] silverdeep 12 years ago

Thanks for sharing your views.

I'm finding the sheriff more interesting now, and I can definitely see the similarities to Allen's portrayal so not surprised he based his interpretation on Nicholas Grace's performance. Prince of Thieves leaves no lasting memories for me no matter how many times I watch it, so can't really compare as I have no clue. My favourite has always been the 1938 version with Errol Flynn, but as I haven't seen it for years now, it might not hold up. Not sure I want to find out even. ;D

[–] Aerin_S 9 years ago

"Given that they had to do all the stunts for real and didn't have the advantage of CGI"

This is one of the things I like best about the show -- real stunts and no CGI! I LOVE the realism of the action! And the authenticity of the locations. It's also an incredibly well written show, and, of course, the cast is outstanding. I was afraid I'd be disappointed watching it again after all these years, but not at all — after renting one disc from Netflix and watching half of the first episode, I decided to buy the whole series on DVD. What a treat!

[–] silverdeep 12 years ago

Thanks for the input!

I haven't given up yet at least, and I actually started to get a little more intrigued during the "Seven Poor Knights from Acre" episode, so it's funny you should mention that. :)

[–] auroracat-1 12 years ago

Here's a link to an excellent time line and also the more logical viewing order for the episodes. Maybe this will help intrigue you!

http://www.robinofsherwood.org/history.html

Try to remember when this was filmed and the fact that the actors were essentially doing it all - no CGI, etc. They really learned to fire the long bow, etc.

[–] avortac 11 years ago

[–] Johnny_Wrong 10 years ago

Nobody likes a pedant.

[–] Stewart46217 10 years ago

" They really learned to fire the long bow, etc. "

You don't FIRE a bow, you SHOOT it. There is no fire involved, it's a 'fireless arm', not a fire arm.

To FIRE a long bow would be to set it on fire, you know - or perhaps to SACK it, heh.

At the end of the second episode The bow Robin is holding is set in fire. Therefore they fired it up.

[–] keith1958 8 years ago

They do fire a longbow in Series 1 Episode 1 part 2 of "Robin hood and the Sorcerer"

[–] RbSnedlap 12 years ago

While I`m probably suffering a bit from rose-coloured spectacle syndrome this remains my favorite version of the Robin Hood story despite all the big budget Robins that have followed it.

The high point is Nicolas Grace`s portrayal of the sheriff, which just gets better as the series continues.
I also have a soft spot for the `old prisoner` in the dungeon ("Feet First, its the only way.) and his pet rat Arthur who is in the first episode, crops up in a regular basis and is STILL THERE in the final `Time of The Wolf` story.

My favorite episodes are "Rutterkin" and "Crom Cruach" in season three after Jason took over as Robin which actually has more episodes in it than season 1 and 2 combined.

"Any plan that involves losing your hat is a BAD plan.""

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Johnny_Wrong 12 years ago

If you're disappointed by this, then i have no idea why you're even watching a Robin Hood show.

[–] Jessica_Rabbit69 11 years ago

"While I`m probably suffering a bit from rose-coloured spectacle syndrome this remains my favorite version of the Robin Hood story despite all the big budget Robins that have followed it."

So true. It may be a bit of nostalgia, but to me this remains the best Robin Hood version. I'd like to forget about Kevin Kostner, Russell Crowe (who I usually like) and especially the dreadful travesty that was the newer BBC 2006 version with a child playing Robin Hood.

To this day I absolutely love Robin of Sherwood. Also there never again was a Lady Marian like Judy Trott.

Jessica Rabbit
"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."

[–] auroracat-1 11 years ago

Ironically Jonas Armstrong in the recent BBC production was older than Michael was when he filmed RoS.

[–] Jessica_Rabbit69 11 years ago

Maybe he was, but like so many actors today, he looked like a milquetoast pretty boy who has never grown up, and never will. Like Ashton Kutcher (who is 33 now and still looks and acts like a 17-year old), Robert Pattinson, Orlando Bloom...

Jessica Rabbit
"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."

[–] debtfull 11 years ago

The show originated or at least advanced many modern Robin Hood storyline memes that are used in several subsequent offerings. They were fresh ideas back then. It's was also filmed with, in my opinion, lush cinematography for a moderately budgeted tv series.

The interaction between the characters and interesting story episodes most of the time is why I still remember it fondly.

[–] youngsteve 9 years ago

I am actually looking at this again now, & believe this is the finest Robin Hood of all, probably with the Errol Flynn film. Sheriff is great in this, though did like Alan Rickman in Prince of Thieves. Judy Trott is the prettiest Marion, & also the most believable, plus Ray Winstone as Scarlett is great. I never understood why they didn't go with this cast when making the film version, though I expect they wanted some big budget names like Costner & the ugly Marion.

[–] Left_back 7 years ago

This show was groundbreaking and it was done on the cheap. This show gave many of the actors the leg up to bigger and better parts in later productions, including Ray Winstone, Michael Praed (and Jason Connery) to name a few.

It was seminal in the fact that every Robin Hood themed show from then on had to overcome the mythos that it created.

Yes, the production values were very limited, but so was taking a chance on a show like this. This was no BBC production, so funding was sourced from independent companies.

Apart from the electronic keyboard music and dodgy camerawork, this show displayed a firm nucleus of talent and storytelling that can be seen in bigger productions like Camelot and Merlin today.