"Robin of Sherwood" (1984) TV series 1984-1986

Creator:

Richard Carpenter
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

28 April 1984 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Drama

Plot:

A forest mystical being appoints two men in succession as the legendary outlaw defender of the oppressed.

Plot Keywords:

Outlaw | Magic | Cult Favorite | Fencing | Swashbuckler

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Llewellyn Williams	...	Much (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ray Winstone	...	Will Scarlet (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Clive Mantle	...	Little John (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Mark Ryan	...	Nasir (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Judi Trott	...	Lady Marion / ... (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Phil Rose	...	Friar Tuck / ... (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Robert Addie	...	Sir Guy of Gisburne (21 episodes, 1984-1986)
Nickolas Grace	...	Robert de Rainault / ... (17 episodes, 1984-1986)
John Abineri	...	Herne the Hunter (17 episodes, 1984-1986)
Jason Connery	...	Robert of Huntingdon / ... (13 episodes, 1986)
Michael Praed	...	Robin of Loxley (11 episodes, 1984-1985)

Series Directed by
Robert Young		(6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ian Sharp		(5 episodes, 1984)
Gerry Mill		(4 episodes, 1986)
James Allen		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Sid Roberson		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Writing credits
Richard Carpenter		(22 episodes, 1984-1986)
Anthony Horowitz		(5 episodes, 1986)

Series Produced by
Patrick Dromgoole	....	executive producer (23 episodes, 1984-1986)
Paul Knight	....	producer (22 episodes, 1984-1986)
Esta Charkham	....	producer / associate producer / ... (18 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Original Music by
Pol Brennan		(23 episodes, 1984-1986)
Clannad		(23 episodes, 1984-1986)

Series Cinematography by
Brian Morgan		(9 episodes, 1984-1986)
Bob Edwards		(4 episodes, 1984-1986)
David Hillier		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Film Editing by
Andrew Findlay		(6 episodes, 1984-1986)
Nigel Bell		(4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Terry Maisey		(2 episodes, 1984)
Lyndon Matthews		(2 episodes, 1986)
Brian Freemantle		(unknown episodes)
David McCormick		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Beth Charkham		(18 episodes, 1985-1986)
Esta Charkham		(5 episodes, 1984)

Series Production Design by
John Biggs		(16 episodes, 1984-1986)

Series Art Direction by
Diane Dancklefsen		(7 episodes, 1986)
Kate Barnett		(5 episodes, 1985)
David McHenry		(4 episodes, 1986)

Series Costume Design by
Lynnette Cummin		(23 episodes, 1984-1986)

Series Makeup Department
Cherry West	....	makeup supervisor (21 episodes, 1984-1986)
Sue Bide	....	makeup artist (13 episodes, 1986)
Ros Wilkins	....	makeup supervisor (4 episodes, 1986)

Series Production Management
Keith Webber	....	production supervisor / production manager (19 episodes, 1984-1986)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jon Older	....	second assistant director (10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Michael Murray	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1984)
Robert Champion	....	assistant director (5 episodes, 1986)
Harold Messias	....	assistant director (5 episodes, 1986)
John Parris	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1984)
John Watson	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard Hoult	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1986)
Anthony Boyle	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Art Department
Gwenda Foord	....	props / production buyer (16 episodes, 1985-1986)
Alan Burnham	....	carpenter (13 episodes, 1984-1986)
Christopher Morris	....	assistant designer (13 episodes, 1985-1986)
Gordon Brewer	....	construction manager (9 episodes, 1984-1986)
Charles Long	....	graphic artist (9 episodes, 1986)
John Maher	....	construction manager (8 episodes, 1986)
Fred Rawnsley	....	carpenter (6 episodes, 1986)
Peter Smith	....	props / props buyer (4 episodes, 1984)
Derek Nice	....	assistant designer (3 episodes, 1984)

Series Sound Department
Alan Eagling	....	dubbing mixer (16 episodes, 1984-1986)
Jonathan Hays	....	sound editor (11 episodes, 1984-1986)
Gus Lloyd	....	boom operator (10 episodes, 1984-1985)
Gordon Kethro	....	sound mixer (10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Pat Boxshall	....	sound editor / assistant sound editor (9 episodes, 1984-1986)
Graham Pearson	....	boom operator (7 episodes, 1986)
Mike Davey	....	sound mixer (6 episodes, 1984-1986)
Andy Kennedy	....	sound editor (5 episodes, 1986)
David Holloway	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jim Roddan	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1984)
Ken Alderman	....	sound mixer (3 episodes, 1986)
Ken Scrivener	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1984)
Hugh Strain	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1984)
John Biddlecombe	....	boom operator (2 episodes, 1986)
James Mather	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Martin Pearce	....	sound assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Malcolm King	....	special effects (2 episodes, 1986)
Ken Lailey	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Terry Walsh	....	stunt coordinator (23 episodes, 1984-1986)
Steve Dent	....	stunts (12 episodes, 1984-1986)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunts (8 episodes, 1984-1986)
Max Faulkner	....	stunts (5 episodes, 1984-1986)
Graeme Crowther	....	stunts (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Brian Bowes	....	stunts (3 episodes, 1984-1986)
Tom Delmar	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Des Coles	....	gaffer (16 episodes, 1984-1986)
Roger Pearce	....	camera operator (12 episodes, 1984-1986)
Tony Shearn	....	first assistant camera / second assistant camera (9 episodes, 1984-1986)
Gary Breckon	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Howard Rockliffe	....	camera operator / focus puller (4 episodes, 1986)
Robin Carlyle	....	focus puller (3 episodes, 1986)
Ray Gallard	....	focus puller (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Animation Department
Chris Lyons	....	animator (1 episode, 1986)

Series Casting Department
Elizabeth Jeffreys	....	casting assistant (10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Laura Cairns	....	casting assistant (8 episodes, 1984-1985)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anne Crawford	....	costume supervisor (15 episodes, 1985-1986)
Yvonne Hellin	....	wardrobe mistress (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ken Lawton	....	wardrobe master (3 episodes, 1985)

Series Editorial Department
Hedley England	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1984)
David Holloway	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1984)
Jacky Norrie	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Steve Dent	....	horse master (23 episodes, 1984-1986)
Laura Woolford	....	production secretary (14 episodes, 1985-1986)
Sue Binding	....	secretary to producer (11 episodes, 1986)
Dave Aubrey	....	production accountant (10 episodes, 1984-1986)
Patsy Lightfoot	....	liaison: Goldcrest (9 episodes, 1986)
Jan Lovell	....	production assistant (9 episodes, 1986)
Douglas Thorpe	....	location manager (9 episodes, 1986)
Alan Pinniger	....	location manager (8 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ann Simpson	....	continuity (7 episodes, 1985-1986)
Paul Knight	....	story consultant (7 episodes, 1986)
Barry Beckett	....	location manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Elaine Matthews	....	continuity (5 episodes, 1984-1985)
Christopher Dando	....	location manager (5 episodes, 1984)
Richard Carpenter	....	script editor (5 episodes, 1986)
Julie Baines	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1984)
Moira Brenard	....	production secretary (4 episodes, 1984)
Ralph Tobert	....	choreographer (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Val Demeter	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1985)
Steve Cronick	....	production accountant (4 episodes, 1986)
David Jenkins	....	production accountant (4 episodes, 1986)
John Parris	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1985)
Grainne Ferris	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1986)
Lesley Morgan	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1986)

Production Companies

• Goldcrest Films International
• Harlech Television (HTV)

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV) (1984-1986) (UK) (TV) (original airing)
• Nederlandse Omroepstichting (NOS) (1989-1991) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Just Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1-3)
• Playhouse Home Video (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Anvil Post Production  sound re-recording
• Brian Terry Productions  titles

Also Known As:

Robin Hood (USA)

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

Goldcrest Films International

Trivia:

Judi Trott was the producer's second choice for Maid Marian, after Jenny Seagrove.

Quotes:

Robin of Loxley: Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Maid Marian and Her Merry Men: The Whitish Knight (#1.6)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Lady Marian

The Definitive Robin Hood

There is nothing more I can add to what has already been said about the entire series. As well as taking me back to a time in my life when the words "mortgage" and "bills" meant anything to me - and when Saturday night prime-time entertainment didn't involve reality TV, people wanting to be pop stars and hour-long programmes to pick lottery numbers when I could do it myself in ten minutes at the most) - there is no other TV show or movie about Robin Hood that even comes close to being on a par with "Robin Of Sherwood."

Every member of this young cast brings their character to life, and the Merry Men are perfectly written and acted. The Sheriff Of Nottingham breaks away from the usual mustache-twirling, scenery-eating bad guy, and has more in common with a corrupt politician than his previous incarnations.

Michael Praed's Robin Of Loxley was certainly a better Robin than Jason Connery's, but that isn't to take anything away from Connery. Praed's swansong in "The Greatest Enemy" is one of the best episodes of any TV show I have seen in such a long time.

Richard Carpenter's knowledge of both the legend of Robin Hood and beliefs in England at that time clearly show here - and it goes without saying that if the people behind "Prince Of Thieves" had this much insight and knowledge of the source material, their "Raw-bin Hood" would not have been so dismal. Blatantly stealing elements from RoS, and yet ignoring others make this film merely a pale imitation of RoS.

Without wanting to sound harsh, Connery seems to have been chosen to garner a little publicity for this often under-rated show; the son of a former incarnation of Robin Hood playing a modern-day Robin Hood. Connery handles the part extremely well, but isn't the actor Praed was. That said, I do prefer the third season episodes and stories to the first two series'. No one would envy having to follow in the footsteps of a role made famous by someone else for two series, and there is - as in all the series' - an excellent camaraderie and relationships - between Robin, his Merry Men and his Merry Woman.

The addition of the "old religion" trying to continue, while the new religion of Christianty tries its hardest to stamp it out. It's ironic that this reminds me of "Prince Of Thieves" in relation to RoS: borrowing a lot of elements from the original, and tweaking them a little. Still, though, the old version prevails over time.

Clannad's soundtrack works excellently alongside the programme - and I doubt RoS would have been the success it was without it. If you don't already have Clannad's "Legend", go out this weekend and treat yourself.

All of the stars appear on the DVD boxsets and everybody has good memories and making this show. Now a huge star, Ray Winstone seems genuinely pleased to take time out to talk about his experiences and love of the show.

Whoever suggested in this discussion that Carpenter should bring all of the Merry Men back together as older, wiser outlaws is 100% right. Do it now.

"Nothing's Forgotten. Nothing Is Ever Forgotten."