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The Legend of Robin Hood was a 1975 BBC television serial that told the story of the life of Robin Hood.[1]
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 | –
Plot
editRobin 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
editThe 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
editClive 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
editMary Whitehouse and the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association attacked The Legend of Robin Hood, saying the program 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 program 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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