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By
WADE GOSSETT
For many purists the 1939
Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood remains the
benchmark by which all subsequent, as well as
earlier, versions are to be compared. And apart
from feature films, like Kevin Costner's
misbegotten version and Mel Brooks unfunny
comedic one, there have been several TV series --
anyone remember the one with Richard Greene? I
didn't think so...
This BBC version from 2006 already has a dedicated
following online, after it aired on BBC America.
Apart from the 13 episodes of Season 1, the
collection contains a cornucopia of commentary
tracks by the major actors, producers, creators,
and the composer, as well as several making-of
featurettes. Fans will love it.
But how about those who are not familiar with the
series? Briefly, it is a rather anachronistic
take, with a lot of contemporary humor and hipness
thrown in. Not particularly violent, it should
appeal to families especially.
Personally, I found
Jonas Armstrong too slight, too young and too
pretty to be taken seriously as a seasoned veteran of
the Crusades. But he does have good comic timing
and good chemistry with Lucy Griffith's liberated
but sexy Lady Marian and Keith Allen as the creepy
but funny Sheriff of Nottingham -- the real
villain is Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne, a
dour, ruthless nobleman who's after Marian.
Next to the Errol Flynn masterpiece, I guess this
one's my next favorite. |
