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By
WADE GOSSETT
This version of the Robin
Hood legend is from the early 1980s, and it shows.
The image quality is less than pristine, but the
biggest telltale signs are the choices of actors,
the style of fighting, and the music (an
award-winning soundtrack by the Irish band
Clannad).
The production values are acceptable, but the
choice of leads is questionable: Michael Praed as
Robin and Robert Addie as his nemesis Sir Guy of
Gisburne look like slight, young, and rather
feminine looking models out of a 1983 issue of GQ
(Praed was replaced eventually by Jason Connery
after 11 episodes). To my disappointments, add the
fighting sequences, which are mostly bloodless
affairs, involving a lot of shoving.
The story keeps the major characters, but adds a
mystical element with Herne the Hunter, a Merlin
to Robin's Arthurian persona. The stories are
consistently entertaining though, and quite
appropriate for kids.
I was surprised by the amount of extras. They are
advertised as "Over 9 Hours of Special Features"
and I have no doubt it's true. There are
commentaries, two retrospective documentaries,
outtakes, the behind-the-scenes featurette The
Electric Theatre Show (with bonus footage),
several title sequences from different
presentations, and cast filmographies. I do
recommend it. |
