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Robin of Sherwood
Mar. 14th, 2007 10:01 pmI don't talk much about Robin Hood on my blog. After all, I have a website for that. But in case anyone reading this didn't know, the Michael Praed episodes (both series 1 and 2) of Robin of Sherwood have just been released on North American DVD for the first time. (Yes, I had the British editions, which could work on any player capable of handling PAL.) For those Torontonians out there, HMV at Yonge & Dundas is selling them $49.99. It comes with commentaries, documentaries and nearly all the same goodies as the UK edition (minus a music video, I gather).
The Robin Hood legend is something I've loved since I was a child. I've still got my first two children's novels of the legend on my bookshelf. I wrote about them here and here. But I hadn't given it a lot thought until I thought it might make a worthy topic for a high school independent study. I cracked the books - J.C. Holt and Barrie Dobson's, among others - and was fascinated to learn how a legend could change and develop over time.
Perhaps when the assignment was over, Robin Hood would have gone back to being just another childhood favourite. But then, I caught an episode of Robin of Sherwood (or Robin Hood as it was known on PBS), and they referenced Adam Bell and other things I had learned about while researching my high school essay. So, I kept watching. And suddenly, that childhood favourite became a teenaged favourite.
Now, I created a website, made television, radio and academic appearances (and possibly got my best job because of them) and met a lot of wonderful friends because of Robin Hood. And if I hadn't caught one of the lesser Robin of Sherwood episodes, none of that might have happened.
A few years back, I sent K. some episodes. Her first remark was "oh, so that's what the last 20 years worth of Robin Hood books and movies have been ripping off." And it's true -- Robin of Sherwood isn't that mainstream in North America, but it's had a huge impact on those who tell the Robin Hood legend and on those who make films of a similar genre.
I don't like to play favourites when it comes to Robin Hood. Or at least, I like to have a few favourites. There's a lot to love about Robin and Marian (particularly its superb cast); I am fascinated by the writers' background on the Richard Greene series; Patrick Bergin made a very good Robin, and well the Errol Flynn Adventures of Robin Hood is easily the best swashbuckler ever made. But Flynn and Greene belong to everyone. Flynn's still the classic Robin Hood image. Greene was widely watched in his day. They are everybody's Robin Hood.
But Michael Praed? He's my Robin Hood. Over the years, I've talked to a lot of people about Robin Hood. And whenever Robin of Sherwood is mentioned, there's a sense of bonding, community, finding a kindred spirit.
Oh, and it's damn good television, even now.
Here's my further thoughts on the show. I've been threatening to completely rewrite and expand my thoughts on Robin of Sherwood. Maybe the new DVDs will spur me to do that.
The Robin Hood legend is something I've loved since I was a child. I've still got my first two children's novels of the legend on my bookshelf. I wrote about them here and here. But I hadn't given it a lot thought until I thought it might make a worthy topic for a high school independent study. I cracked the books - J.C. Holt and Barrie Dobson's, among others - and was fascinated to learn how a legend could change and develop over time.
Perhaps when the assignment was over, Robin Hood would have gone back to being just another childhood favourite. But then, I caught an episode of Robin of Sherwood (or Robin Hood as it was known on PBS), and they referenced Adam Bell and other things I had learned about while researching my high school essay. So, I kept watching. And suddenly, that childhood favourite became a teenaged favourite.
Now, I created a website, made television, radio and academic appearances (and possibly got my best job because of them) and met a lot of wonderful friends because of Robin Hood. And if I hadn't caught one of the lesser Robin of Sherwood episodes, none of that might have happened.
A few years back, I sent K. some episodes. Her first remark was "oh, so that's what the last 20 years worth of Robin Hood books and movies have been ripping off." And it's true -- Robin of Sherwood isn't that mainstream in North America, but it's had a huge impact on those who tell the Robin Hood legend and on those who make films of a similar genre.
I don't like to play favourites when it comes to Robin Hood. Or at least, I like to have a few favourites. There's a lot to love about Robin and Marian (particularly its superb cast); I am fascinated by the writers' background on the Richard Greene series; Patrick Bergin made a very good Robin, and well the Errol Flynn Adventures of Robin Hood is easily the best swashbuckler ever made. But Flynn and Greene belong to everyone. Flynn's still the classic Robin Hood image. Greene was widely watched in his day. They are everybody's Robin Hood.
But Michael Praed? He's my Robin Hood. Over the years, I've talked to a lot of people about Robin Hood. And whenever Robin of Sherwood is mentioned, there's a sense of bonding, community, finding a kindred spirit.
Oh, and it's damn good television, even now.
Here's my further thoughts on the show. I've been threatening to completely rewrite and expand my thoughts on Robin of Sherwood. Maybe the new DVDs will spur me to do that.
