If Robin Hood were a sitcom
340291
It's a bit too contemporary and aimed at juveniles for my taste. It's more like a bunch of modern day folks at a Renaissance Faire than a historical play. I don't mind the comedy, but it's just too sitcom for my taste.
1641834
The series is excellent and faithful to the literary history surrounding the Robin Hood legends. Clannad's music adds a bit of authenticity, as does the use of magic and superstition, and the UK setting.

Acorn did a reasonably good job digitizing and adding subtitles to the original film. Colour was on the dark side, but nothing that can't be adjusted.

The poor packaging of the 'complete' set prevents me from giving it a perfect score. I like the look and the folding-book concept of it, but the casing is made of hard plastic, making it prone to chipping and difficult to remove the DVDs carefully without breaking or cracking them. I had a similar problem with the "<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/I-Spy-Four-Pack-Collection/dp/B00026L9AW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">I Spy - Four-Pack Collection</a>" cases. So, take care to remove the DVDs lest you damage them permanently. You might consider alternative storage like a plastic CD envelope case, considering this DVD set is not cheap.

Aside from this, I highly recommend the complete Robin Hood set.
2354428
a fun swordplay and action movie in the Robin Hood genre.  Intended for kids, it's clean and funny and has a lot of charm.
4901774
The passing years have not taken the shine from this great British sitcom.  Set in a department store in the 1970's (the fashions add to the fun), it features the combined staff of the ladies and gentlemens clothing departments.  Many of the comedy situations come from the interactions of these varied and often eccentric characters.  The usual situation involves various ploys by the management to try to increase the profitibility of the department and the hilarious results which occur when the staff attempt to put these ideas into practice.  While occasionally mildly risque (by '70s standards anyway) it could be enjoyed by almost anyone without too much offence.
3340390
I started watching season one with high expectations.  I've loved anything Robin Hood since I was a child.  Episode  1 was well written and the main characters were introduced with flair.  I quickly moved on to episode 2 and noticed that the the story arch was continued from episode 1.  I thought I had hit jackpot series gold until I started watching other episodes.  Then the storyline became predictable episode after episode.  The wonderful care in writing and introduction of characters, with a back story was gone.  The layers and shades that was evident in the first couple of episodes that gave characters light and shade that prevented monotony and predictability were gone.  I wondered out loud what had happened...different writes, producers? Who knows?  The lead character is played by  Jonas Armstrong and I would say watch out for this young man.  He does a wonderful job of portraying a young Robin Hood.  Nuances in his performance made me smile and endeared me to the character even more.  Out of 13 episodes of series 1 I watched 9 and started watching the beginning of episode 10 but just could not continue.  If I watch the rest of the episodes or Season 2 or 3 I will update my review but as of now I don't see that happening
3381331
One of the great joys of my childhood was when my family would gather round, each and every Saturday night, and watch an episode of this series on PBS. This charming little series is based on the wildly popular, real-life James Herriot veterinary stories set in the Yorkshire Dales. A mixture of drama and very witty comedy, the main characters are played to perfection by Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy, and Peter Davison, supported by a fine cast of British character actors as the "good country people" of the dales.

The DVDs are pretty standard - the interior video footage is quite clean and nice, but the 16mm film exteriors is often grainy and dirty (this is improved somewhat on the series 2 set). The only supplement is on disc 4 - a one-hour 1980s interview with the real James Herriot, veterinarian Alf Wight. Still, the real joy is in the episodes themselves. Although the series is set in the '30s, it has dated a little bit; it can be unusually slow on occasion. Nonetheless, this is recommended viewing for BBC fans, as well as families who enjoy gentle comedy and (of course!) animals.
3842363
If you didn't think that one more Robin Hood incarnation could possible hold its own against the long series of productions over the past decades, here's the proof that it indeed can--and HAS--been done. This remake of the Robin Hood epic, made by the BBC and filmed in 2006, as a superb new look at the story and the characters, and is completely remade for a 21st century audience. The story is the same, with (for the most part) all the same characters, and the motives of the merry band of men remains unchanged: the Sheriff of Nottingham, along with his henchman, Guy of Gisborne, have illicitly taken over Nottingham (the rightful manor of Locksley himself) and Robin and his men are taking from the Sheriff to feed the poor and the needy while they wait for the return of the King so that things can be made right.

You would think that in this age of Avatar that there would be almost no way such a show could be of interest, and yet this wonderful series from the BBC shows that it can indeed be so, and Robin Hood here can hold the attention and interest in parents and children alike. It's updated, to be sure, and, yes, it contains numerous anachronisms, but that isn't the point at all: this is the classic Robin Hood story told all over again for today's audience in a dramatic, exciting, and fun-loving way. The show follows the classic Robin Hood story in Season One (the show runs a total of three seasons, and takes a slight turn in the standard story in Season Two, and takes an even bigger turn in Season Three), and if you know the story, you'll enjoy seeing how this show tells it in their own way. But nearly any child watching will be able to pick up the story quite well, with clear villains, heroes, and motives. It's fun, dramatic, and exciting.

The show is lushly filmed. Using a full-scale, outside set that was built in Hungary (you would swear this was in the middle of England, near to the true Sherwood Forest), the scenes are acted out on a grand scale that makes us completely unaware that this is a dramatic production. Colors are lush and intense. The costumes worn, though replete with anachronistic styles (some of Marian's outfits appear as though they just came off the rack at J. Crew), are gorgeous and fun to look at it, and really, that's the point: you should just sit back and enjoy this for what it is. It isn't a historical examination of the mid-twelth century English setting: it's the story of Robin Hood, told for a modern audience. The filming is so lush that the closest thing I can think of to which to compare it is the BBC's MI-5, which is a modern-day police drama that also uses the intense colors and slick production values to a similar effect. It's gorgeous, and its such a shame that, to date (December 2012) only the First Season is available on Blu-Ray.

Some standout performances exist, although nearly all the cast is excellent. The evil Sheriff (Keith Allen) is both menacing and funny, his sidekick, Guy (Richard Armitage) is a double-minded, tragic figure, Robin Hood himself (Jonas Armstrong) is the hero's hero, Little John (Gordon Kennedy) is the group's moral compass, and Much (Sam Troughton) is both hilarious and heart-tugging.

Season Three is the most unusual of the three Robin Hood seasons, taking the original story and extending and working with it to create its own set of stories that are based on the orignal. Friar Tuck, finally introduced in this last Season, takes on a major role in the story, and Robin himself finds his epic battle with Guy of Gisborne elevated into a new area not before seen. I would highly recommend that the viewer start with Seasons a=One and Two before moving on to Season Three, as the traditional story is more closely told and established in those first two Seasons, and then you can watch the fun the writers have with the material as they enter Season Three.

This show is fun, entertaining, and often, thought-provoking. It pulls on your emotions. It draws you in. Kids can enjoy it as well as adults. Five stars.
2534937
This is the Robin Hood we all loved so well told by our narrarator.  One of the finest stories I have ever read. You will feel as though your walking with Robin himself and see Sherwood so vividly. Be warned laughter and jesting insues. But, most of all its in a bit of old English so be warned dear reader you might just enjoy this classic time peice.
1537262
This was a very interesting rendition of Robin Hood's beginning. I enjoyed the story line and the characters. It was a most interesting take on Prince/King John and his mother as well. I do not know the historical accuracy of King Richard's return from the crusades, but I found this portrayal believable. I was willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story, the new take on familiar characters and a most interesting speculation about how the legend began. It was refreshing, even if I took a break during the obligatory fight scenes.
1510528
i saw the series on PBS. It was an easygoing and enjoyable series which could make you yearn for the Shire and the Village and a good walk down a country lane.. One thing that still sticks out to me, is that these people sound like they are talking babytalk. !!! Is it the dialect???? idk. Very lightweight, somewhat banal, and sweet. Seemed true to the era in setting and costuming, social issues, etc., at least from my perspective,  viewing the scene centuries later, and from a different continent.
753291
The second season of the new BBC "Robin Hood" gets off to an uneven start.  The first three episodes feature overly cheesy adventure plots (including one in which the hero is slowly lowered into a snakepit and one in which the baddies are trying to build an invincible army by creating armor out of impenetrable metal), but the strong character and relationship development more than makes up for it -- specifically, the Robin Hood/Lady Marian/Guy of Gisborne triangle, the storyline of Allan turning a spy for Gisborne, and the tense dynamic between Guy and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

From Episode 4 onward, however, the pace really picks up and the cheese factor drops dramatically (despite some lame moments here and there).  The Sheriff's plot against King Richard and Robin, Marian, and the gang's efforts to stop this plot take center stage, even as the character/relationship developments get ever more complicated and interesting.  Robin's almost fanatical zeal in the king's cause takes an often dark turn, Marian is devoted to his cause but finds herself stifled when she joins him in the woods, Allan is torn between opportunistic self-interest and attachment to his friends in the gang, and Guy's feelings for Marian bring out his long-suppressed humanity and cause him to question the Sheriff's actions.  Meanwhile, Marian's love and admiration for Robin coexists with increasingly complex attraction/repulsion feelings toward Guy as she begins to see a compassionate and even noble side to him.  The dynamic between Guy and Allan is fascinating to watch as the two seem to develop a genuine friendship.  The storyline involving Marian's father is also very touching.  Meanwhile, the Sheriff remains his deliciously evil self as he plays for ever-higher stakes.  The cast does a great job, particularly Richard Armitage as Guy, Keith Allen as the Sheriff, Lucy Griffiths as Marian, Joe Armstrong as Allan and Jonas Armstrong as Robin.  Some of the supporting cast is excellent as well, especially the actress who plays Matilda the accused witch in "Ducking and Diving" and the actor who plays Lord Winchester in "For England."

Episodes 6 through 12 are truly awesome (my personal favorites are "For England" and "Walkabout").  The season finale is highly controversial because of ....

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... Marian's death at Guy's hands.  I don't think it was a wise decision, and Marian's departure definitely harmed the show (though I think there is a lot to like in Season 3 as well), but at the same time, it is a very powerful if tragic conclusion to the S2 storyline.  (Too bad it's somewhat diluted by a ridiculously drawn-out death scene in which Marian is way too coherent for someone who's been stabbed in the stomach, and the sequences after her death drag on much too long as well.)

All in all, a vastly enjoyable season.
4355198
I have enjoyed this series so much that I decided to give it a chance even after the departure of the main character, Inspector Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles. Unfortunately, It was  the chemistry of those specific actors, as much as the story lines, that made this show so wonderful. For the time that an episode lasted you could almost feel that you were part of Midsomer itself. The new Inspector, John Barnaby, played by Neil Dudgeon just doesn't have the same charm. His character comes across as more supercilious than likable. I also very much miss Barry Jackson who played George Bullard, the pathologist. His interactions with the Inspector were always a treat to watch. I would have enjoyed seeing him do more rather than have him eliminated from the production. ( For the sake of political correctness he was eliminated and replaced by a young woman to add "diversity".)
 If you were a fan of the series starring John Nettles, you may settle for this newer version. But for me, the new incarnation doesn't cut it. Sadly, I will no longer look forward to ordering the newest release.
1592298
If you didn't think that one more Robin Hood incarnation could possible hold its own against the long series of productions over the past decades, here's the proof that it indeed can--and HAS--been done. This remake of the Robin Hood epic, made by the BBC and filmed in 2006, as a superb new look at the story and the characters, and is completely remade for a 21st century audience. The story is the same, with (for the most part) all the same characters, and the motives of the merry band of men remains unchanged: the Sheriff of Nottingham, along with his henchman, Guy of Gisborne, have illicitly taken over Nottingham (the rightful manor of Locksley himself) and Robin and his men are taking from the Sheriff to feed the poor and the needy while they wait for the return of the King so that things can be made right.

You would think that in this age of Avatar that there would be almost no way such a show could be of interest, and yet this wonderful series from the BBC shows that it can indeed be so, and Robin Hood here can hold the attention and interest in parents and children alike. It's updated, to be sure, and, yes, it contains numerous anachronisms, but that isn't the point at all: this is the classic Robin Hood story told all over again for today's audience in a dramatic, exciting, and fun-loving way. The show follows the classic Robin Hood story in Season One (the show runs a total of three seasons, and takes a slight turn in the standard story in Season Two, and takes an even bigger turn in Season Three), and if you know the story, you'll enjoy seeing how this show tells it in their own way. But nearly any child watching will be able to pick up the story quite well, with clear villains, heroes, and motives. It's fun, dramatic, and exciting.

The show is lushly filmed. Using a full-scale, outside set that was built in Hungary (you would swear this was in the middle of England, near to the true Sherwood Forest), the scenes are acted out on a grand scale that makes us completely unaware that this is a dramatic production. Colors are lush and intense. The costumes worn, though replete with anachronistic styles (some of Marian's outfits appear as though they just came off the rack at J. Crew), are gorgeous and fun to look at it, and really, that's the point: you should just sit back and enjoy this for what it is. It isn't a historical examination of the mid-twelth century English setting: it's the story of Robin Hood, told for a modern audience. The filming is so lush that the closest thing I can think of to which to compare it is the BBC's MI-5, which is a modern-day police drama that also uses the intense colors and slick production values to a similar effect. It's gorgeous, and its such a shame that, to date (December 2012) only the First Season is available on Blu-Ray.

Some standout performances exist, although nearly all the cast is excellent. The evil Sheriff (Keith Allen) is both menacing and funny, his sidekick, Guy (Richard Armitage) is a double-minded, tragic figure, Robin Hood himself (Jonas Armstrong) is the hero's hero, Little John (Gordon Kennedy) is the group's moral compass, and Much (Sam Troughton) is both hilarious and heart-tugging. Season Two continues the classic story of Robin Hood established in Season One, but ups the ante with increased dramatic scenarios, and some new cast additions.

This show is fun, entertaining, and often, thought-provoking. It pulls on your emotions. It draws you in. Kids can enjoy it as well as adults. Five stars.
3865453
You have probably heard the theory that Robin Hood was never a real guy, just a fictional story.  "Ghost of Sherwood" by Wilson Harp is a twist on that theory.  What if all of the things that Robin Hood did really did happen, but Robin Hood was an imaginary scapegoat?  A Hoax.  Harp takes the story and does an excellent job of researching the 12th century England and spins it into a conspiracy theory that would stand the test of centuries.

I really liked this version.  I have read the theory that Robin Hood was a woman and this book was much more believable.  Robert, the sheriff, is the main character with Sir Guy being the bad guy. The book did seem a little long; I would probably have cut out a little bit.  I would recommend this to conspiracy theorist and history buffs.  I give it a B.  I received this book for free from www.librarything.com.
2676975
I hope this gets a British release like the First Season did. Fresh Prince is one of my favourite sitcoms.
3225477
Doc Martin in a good mood is not as funny as his burly successor in the series, but Martin Clunes makes it all worthwhile. There is no actor like him.
But I do miss some of the characters from the series.
3609300
Great sequel in what I think is now a 4 book series. I really like the characters, good and bad. It is only loosely like the Robin Hood tales from my childhood. Flawed characters who, nevertheless, live by a moral code. Take from the rich jerks and give to those in need. I recommend.