Robin Hood 1x01 "Will You Tolerate This?"

[Brakkart]

It's been a long time, but finally Englands best known medieval hero is back on the TV screen in a lavish 13 part series by the BBC. The first episode airs tonight at 7pm on BBC1. Here's the regular cast:

Lucy Griffiths - Marian Fitzwalter
Jonas Armstrong - Robin Hood
Keith Allen - Sheriff of Nottingham
Richard Armitage - Guy of Gisbourne
Gordon Kennedy - Little John
Sam Troughton - Much
Harry Lloyd - Will Scarlett
Joe Armstrong - Allan-a-Dale
William Beck - Roy

The first episode sees Robin return home after many years away fighting in the Crusades, to discover the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham and his brutal henchman Sir Guy of Gisborne.

From the clips and such I've seen, it looks really good and I'm very much looking forward to seeing whether it actually is good. More infomation (but not much more) can be found at the BBC's offiicial webpage here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/robinhood/

 

[Morrus]

I'll give it a try, but I'm not holding out much hope. Looks very young, pretty and wise-cracky from the adverts. But we'll see!

 

[Huw]

Typical children!

Me (15 minutes ago): If you finish your meal, you can watch Robin Hood!

Son: Yippee!

Son (5 minutes ago, with half eaten dinner): When's it on?

Me: Now, so finish eating.

Son: I don't want to watch it now.

Oh well. Tell me what it's like. We might catch the repeats.

 

[Morrus]

Well - I was more interested in the trailer for Torchwood at the end!

 

[johnsemlak]

So, you don't rate it all that highly? I was looking forward to this, though I'm not sure how I can watch it--probably have to try to get DVDs later on I suppose. You say it's aimed at a pretty young audience?

 

[Morrus]

I think so, yeah. Plus silly stunts. I'm sure it appeals to some people.

There's one scene whereMuch is being held by two guards at the top of a battlement, and Robin is engaged in melee at the bottom of the battlement. The two guards are in the process of throwing Much offf the battlement.

Robin disarms one of his foes, takes his sword and throws it (slo-mo, of course!) at the two guards way up above him. It strikes the both of them in one throw, knocking them out, thus freeing Much.

Plus we have double-arrow shots at two gallows ropes at the same time; you get the general idea.

It's aimed at kids, I think!

 

[johnsemlak]

Hmm, well, I'll probably just be satisfied with my well-watched copy of Errol Flynn's R'Hood. Wasn't there a British Robin Hood tv series in the 60s or 70s? Is it worth tracking down?

 

[Morrus]

Hmm, well, I'll probably just be satisfied with my well-watched copy of Errol Flynn's R'Hood. Wasn't there a British Robin Hood tv series in the 60s or 70s? Is it worth tracking down?

You might be thinking of Robin of Sherwood. That was in the 80s. It was pretty good, and dealt with some darkish themes. Plus it had a cool soundtrack by Clannad.

Has a young Ray Winstone as a very angry, very rough Will Scarlett. Michael Praed as Robin for a couple of seasons, later replaced by Jason Connery (yes, son of THAT Connery), who wasn't as good.

Kevin Coster's movie stole a lot from that series - but less... competently.

I strongly reccommend that series over (what I've seen of) this.

 

[delericho]

Well - I was more interested in the trailer for Torchwood at the end!

Sadly, I must concur. I had hoped for better, but I'm afraid this came off badly even in comparison with Prince of Thieves. With a bit of luck, it will improve in the next episode, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

You might be thinking of Robin of Sherwood. That was in the 80s. It was pretty good, and dealt with some darkish themes. Plus it had a cool soundtrack by Clannad.

Has a young Ray Winstone as a very angry, very rough Will Scarlett. Michael Praed as Robin for a couple of seasons, later replaced by Jason Connery (yes, son of THAT Connery), who wasn't as good.

Kevin Coster's movie stole a lot from that series - but less... competently.

I strongly reccommend that series over (what I've seen of) this.

Nope, he's thinking of The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Richard Green. Yes, highly recommended!