Movie Reviews for Adventures of Robin Hood - Complete First Season

Adventures of Robin Hood - Complete First Season

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Movie Reviews of Adventures of Robin Hood - Complete First Season

Movie Review: Robin Hood - Medieval History and Richard Greene
Summary: 5 Stars

I bought all the seasons and episodes of Robin Hood. Like many reviewers, I remember the series as a child (I was 4 when it started and 9 when the series closed). However, I have to say, I became more and more impressed with Richard Greene as an actor as I watched more into the series. As every Robin Hood fan knows, Robin Hood (Robyn Hoode) was a medieval legend. Since Medieval History is the period of my degree in History, I especially look at the series with a critical eye from historical standards as well as by the quality of the acting, which was a very high level. As everyone who knows anything about the 13th century will tell you, there is no way Bernadette O'Farrell (1st Maid Marian) or Patricia Driscoll (2nd Maid Marion- RADA graduate) would have short hair, be allowed to romp alone through the countryside without a male escort and wear dresses that were designed with the plunging neckline of 1950 in mind. The tight figure fitting garments, some with zippers and buttons (both of which were not created until several hundred years later) are really out of place. Usually the figure was given prominence with laces in the back and high necklines, especially in what were usually cold, damp castles and living quarters without central heat. However, the series is historically accurate when it comes to structures, houses and most of the peasant costumes.

As far as the acting goes, the scripts were very good and this allowed for above level acting that one does not see in present day movies (let alone television). Next to Errol Flynn, Richard Greene was probably the best Robin Hood. First of all, he could fence, and so could many of those who appeared with him (Alan Wheatley as the Sheriff of Notingham comes to mind). Greene was the fencing Captain in what was the English version of an exclusive high school. Richard Greene also had outstanding pedigree. These qualities, not the least of which was his outstanding good looks and carriage on the screen, make him not only very believable but also gives depth to his role. Archie Duncan, as Little John, and Alexander Gauge as Friar Tuck round out an outstanding cast.

Richard Greene stands out because he did have a Hollywood career that looked very promising until WWII, when he returned to England, and by the time he came back, basically his career, as well as his marriage, was over. As lack of money and timing would have it, when he was approached for this series, he gladly accepted. He never did too much after that since he made enough money from Robin Hood to basically retire to his country estate in Wexford, Ireland, raise horses, become a top breeder, and sail his yacht competitively. It is most unfortunate since I think he could have done so much more with his career. But, Robin Hood does provide a glimpse at his possiblities.

Another feature of the Robin Hood series is that many of the episodes were written by blacklisted writers that left the US because of the McCarthy era. There were several episodes written by women as well as those that were written about the "guilt by association" that prevailed during that time in the US. Maid Marian is a very strong woman and one has to think the character was given this strength because of the authors of the episodes, which were women who wrote under several names.

But the series is carried by the acting of Greene, and it does not disappoint. From the perspective of the historical Robin Hood, it does stick to some of the legends and throws in a few lessons of the McCarthy era to cross time. All in all, an excellent series with humor. Greene seemed not to take his characater too seriously, and as such, makes it more realistic.

Movie Review: 50's Swashbuckler Holds Up Brilliantly
Summary: 5 Stars

I bought Robin Hook out of pure nostalgia, having watched it as a child. What I did not expect was that it would be smart, well-written and well-acted television that compares favourably to anything being done today. Both thumbs up!

Movie Review: Buy this now!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars

Don't delay your purchase! The discounted price indicates the set is about to be discontinued. Hey,I watched "The Adventures of Robin Hood" Saturday mornings before you were born. Then, decades ago, when a nearby Christian station put on the adventures in Sherwood, I bought a VCR and recorded as many episodes as I could get, with commercials and all... Now, I realize the film quality of this set is not 100%, but live with it. Richard Greene and his cast put on a wonderful show. One could only hope that somehow or other the balance of the episodes might be made available. This set is a nice package of single sided DVDs.

Movie Review: Tales of Sherwood
Summary: 5 Stars

This obviously goes to my age, but this series has always been the original of all the Robin Hoods. Erol Flynn was earlier, but Richard Green has always been my favorite. Yes it is not colorized but this is fine. The transfer from film to DVD format is pretty good. I would recommend to any old TV buff. This truly has excellent entertainment value. Hey, During the era of this show Right always won and the "good guys" wear white hats, or in this case "green"