The Legend of Robin Hood (TV series)
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| The Legend of Robin Hood | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Robert Banks Stewart David Butler Alexander Baron Alistair Bell |
| Directed by | Eric Davidson |
| Starring | Martin Potter Diane Keen William Marlowe John Abineri David Dixon Michael-John Jackson Paul Darrow |
| Music by | Stanley Myers |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Producer | George Gallaccio |
| Editor | Peter Evans |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC 1 |
| Release | 23 November – 28 December 1975 |
The Legend of Robin Hood was a 1975 BBC television serial that told the story of the life of Robin Hood.[1]
Plot
[edit]Robin has been raised as the son of John Hood, a groundskeeper, but learns that he is in fact the long lost son of the Earl of Huntingdon. He comes into conflict with a plot to replace King Richard I by his brother Prince John involving the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisbourne.
Broadcast
[edit]The serial was broadcast by the BBC in the Sunday "tea time slot".[1] The serial was also broadcast by PBS in the United States, alongside other BBC period dramas such as The Forsyte Saga and Elizabeth R.[1]
Cast
[edit]- Martin Potter as Robin Hood
- Diane Keen as Lady Marion
- John Abineri as Sir Kenneth Neston
- William Marlowe as Sir Guy of Gisbourne
- Paul Darrow as Sheriff of Nottingham
- Michael-John Jackson as King Richard
- David Dixon as Prince John
Reception
[edit]Clive James praised The Legend of Robin Hood in The Observer, describing it as "a promising series. Neatly written, well acted, finely dressed and softly filmed like Akenfield."[1]
Controversy
[edit]Mary Whitehouse and the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association attacked The Legend of Robin Hood, saying the programme displayed "extreme violence and sadism" and was not suitable for children.[1] The BBC defended the show by stating that it had been approved by senior BBC executives, and had also been promoted as a programme for parents and children to watch together. Discussing the controversy, television historian James Chapman stated: "Viewed today, The Legend of Robin Hood does not seem particularly violent, certainly not in comparison to Arthur of the Britons".[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Chapman, James. Swashbucklers : the costume adventure series. Manchester University Press, Manchester, 2015. ISBN 9780719088810 (pg. 114-118).
External links
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- 1970s British drama television series
- BBC television dramas
- Robin Hood television series
- Period television series
- 1975 British television series debuts
- 1975 British television series endings
- 1970s British television miniseries
- British adventure television series
- British English-language television shows
- Cultural depictions of Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Films scored by Stanley Myers
- BBC Television show stubs
- Drama television series stubs