A real scoundrel stole his way on to the small screen in the form of “Robin Hood,” a BBC production that’s was imported to the U.S. via BBC America a few years ago.
I just happened to stumble upon the pilot episode, “Will You Tolerate This?” which was stored on a VCR tape Comics on the Brain was buzzing through. (Yes, we still have a VCR. So sue is!)
On a whim CotB decided to rewatch this six-year-old gem.
Low and behold, it was right on target by mixing familiar Robin Hood elements with new ideas to fuel the series with drama, humor, a bit of over-the-top action and modern filming and storytelling techniques.
Jonas Armstrong plays our man Robin with enough charisma and guile that you’d expect him to be able to assemble an outlaw army to take down the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham and slimy Guy of Gisborne. And Marion? Well, she is ridiculously alluring, without being unnecessarily dainty.
The cowardly Prince John shows up later in the series. (OK, I’ve used up my allotment of adjectives for today.)
This series has a lot to offer Robin Hood fans, if there is such a thing.
For those who loved Kevin Costner’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” the last really big Robin Hood project, you’re bound to enjoy the campy interplay between the characters. For those who hated “Prince of Thieves,” you’re bound to be relieved that all the actors actually seem British, something Kevin Costner is decidedly not good at pretending to be.
For those who happen to love Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood,” well, more power to you.
For those who long for Errol Flynn’s rendition of the character in “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” then you’re sure to enjoy this version’s mocking tone and high adventure.
But most of all, try watching “Robin Hood” with for a little bit of relief. Relief from the onslaught of television series about lawyers, doctors, cops or desperate housewives.
Even if it’s using an age-old story, it’s something different. And boy, do we need something different on TV. We need more Robin Hood.
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