The Adventures Of Robin Hood - Series 1

I have a very simple test to see if something has stood the test of time. I put it on when I know my teenage kids are around and see if it draws them in or not. Few black and white productions pass this test. I tried it with this DVD, and somewhat to my initial surprise they liked it and now they want to see more.

As the other reviews have said, it's not the high production values (though actually they are not that bad for the most part) it's the strength of the storylines and many of the performances. Alexander Gauge as Friar Tuck has never been bettered in my opinion.

The DVDs contain just the episodes - no extras, which is a shame, I bet there were some wonderful out takes, but I guess in those days they were worthless and so not kept like they are now.

Anyway, I still love this and it engages my youngsters - so a big tick in the box for this!

It's a brilliant series. The acting was very good. The plots were good, and there were some very funny bits in it. I would recommend it to all children of 7 upwards.

brought back childhood memeris

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

Robin Hood....

With these immortal words, we were whisked back to another world, where Richard Green swanked through Sherwood Forest clad in tight fitting Lincoln Green... well, Lincoln Grey, because the show is in black and white...

Seriously, there cannot be many people over 45 who don't secretly thrill to the whistle-thunk of an arrow and the opening chords, or who will not be whisked back to the sofa of their youth by these immortal programmes. This first disk gives the whole background to the legend - the return of Robin to find his lands seized by the evil Sherriff of Nottingham, the arrest and escape to the jolly green wood, joining the outlaws and becoming their leader, meeting Will Scarlet, Little John, Friar Tuck and the luscious Maid Marian.

In fact, apart from the slightly creaky sound and sets (and black and white) these tales hold up amazingly well in another century and almost 50 years later. Action is well-staged if a little bish-bash-bosh (there speaks the fight choreographer in me) and stories are tightly laced together, with loads of good humour and clear morals for little 'uns.

So forget tedious Kevin Costner and scenery-chewing Alan Rickman, and return to those halcyon days of yore...

He called the greatest archers

To a tavern on the green

They vowed to help the people of the King

They dealt with all the trouble on the English country scene

And still had plenty of time to sing...

(All together now...)

Robin Hood, Robin Hood

Riding through the glen...

I.B.

(March 2006)

Yes we all remember the Robin Hood song and the baddies were bad and the goodies were good. This disc starts from the very beginning and the quality of the black and white copy is very good. One not to be missed for those of a certain age.