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

User Rating:

8.7/10   

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)

(more)

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:

First series director 'Ian Sharp' used an effect during a zoom by freezing and skipping frames for one shot in the opening credits. His successor Robert Young loved it so much he started to use it all the time.

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:

Robin (The Hooded man)

The best retelling of the Robin Hood legend - ever!

This retelling weaves myth and magic with the Robin Hood legend and, indeed, Robin becomes associated with the forest god, Herne the Hunter reinforcing the idea that Robin is a medieval incarnation of The Green Man (the 'foliate head' of the old religion which is often found carved on many churches).

The scripts were were well written, the plotting well thought out and the characters - and ensemble cast - excellent. In particular, congratulations to Mark Ryan - who became Nasir the Saracen. Due to be killed off at the end of the the first episode, he was so good, that he remained as a permanent cast member.

Ultimately, though, the series' immediate appeal was due to the amazing on-screen chemistry between its two leads, Michael Praed and the beautiful Judi Trott as (the first) Robin and his Marion. Praed's youthful, dark, good looks had an almost 'fey' quality which made the magical element entirely believable. (And by 'fey' I don't mean to imply any loss of masculinity.) The first two seasons - with Praed - were by far the best.

In the third season, Jason Connery had a hell of a task following an actor so perfect for the Robin role, but he did reasonably well and the strong ensemble cast carried the change of lead well. Richard Carpeneter's wise decision to make the new 'Robin Hood' a completely different character with a completely different background was a very wise move.

I suppose any review should mention the immense debt Costner's Robin Hood Prince of Thieves owes to Robin of Sherwood. Some might say that 'debt' was putting it mildly! Costner not only retained the Saracen (who until Nasir had never been a Robin Hood character at all) but he filmed in many of the same locations; used the same horsemaster (Stevie Dent) and clung to the magical elements - though being a good old American boy stuck to the idea of Christianity good - old religion bad, whereas Robin of Sherwood often showed the political corruption of the Church (historically accurate)and the simple spirituality of the old religion (unrelated to 'black' magic). Alan Rickman's OTT sheriff was a wilder version of Nickolas Grace's sly characterisation.

What more can I say? If you've never seen Robin of Sherwood, rush out and buy the complete thing on DVD - I guarantee you'll watch it again and again for the lovely filmic quality of the camera work, the leisurely but never dull pacing (which invests in the attention span and intelligence of its audience), the acting, the ideas, the very real emotional kick and (much praised) the delightful music by Clannad.

And did I mention Michael Pread...?