1 9 8 4 – 1 9 8 6 (UK)
22 x 50 minute episodes
This inspired longbow-and-magic version of the Sherwood legend came from the pen of Richard Carpenter (who had written Catweazle) and HTV’s golden age of adventure television.
Following the massacre of his family and the destruction of his home by Norman soldiers, a vengeful 12th century Robin of Loxley (Michael Praed) is endowed by an incarnation of Herne the Hunter with Albion, one of the seven swords of Wayland.
Thus equipped, Robin dons a disguise to become ‘Robin in the hood’ and is joined in his heroic Saxon fray against the Norman oppressor by Maid Marion and the usual stalwarts, plus the Carpenter-created deadly Saracen, Nasir.
A far arrow-shot from the usual Merry Men fluffery, this series plunged through two seasons of pagan-drenched atmosphere, intriguing characters (none more so than Ray Winstone’s psychopathic Will Scarlet and Nickolas Grace’s delightfully politicking Sheriff of Nottingham) and clean-limbed action until Robin met a hero’s death on a lone hilltop in ‘The Greatest Enemy’ (because Michael Praed wanted to leave the series).
His rebel spirit, however, was resurrected in the body of Robert of Huntingdon (played by Jason Connery, son of 007 Sean) – the son of the Earl of Huntingdon – who led the outlaw band for a series of valedictory romping through the green-leaved beauty of Sherwood Forest.
Clannad supplied the BAFTA-winning soundtrack.
Robin of Loxley
Michael Praed
Will Scarlet
Ray Winstone
Little John
Clive Mantle
Maid Marion
Judi Trott
Much
Peter Llewellyn-Williams
Friar Tuck
Phil Rose
Nasir
Mark Ryan
Sheriff of Nottingham
Nickolas Grace
Guy of Gisburne
Robert Addie
Gulnar
Richard O’Brien
Baron Simon de Belleme
Anthony Valentine
Sir Richard of Leafad
George Baker
Robert of Huntingdon
Jason Connery
Episodes
Robin Hood and the Sorcerer | The Witch of Elsdon | Seven Poor Knights from Acre | Alan a Dale | The King’s Fool | The Prophecy | The Children of Israel | Lord of the Trees | The Swords of Wayland | The Enchantment | The Greatest Enemy | Herne’s Son: Part 1 | Herne’s Son: Part 2 | The Power of Albion | The Inheritance | The Sheriff of Nottingham | The Cross of St. Ciricus | Cromm Cruac | The Betrayal | Adam Bell | The Pretender | Rutterkin | The Time of the Wolf: Part 1 | The Time of the Wolf: Part 2
