![]() Alan Rickman's OTT sheriff was a wilder version of Nickolas Grace's sly characterisation. Some might say that 'debt' was putting it mildly! Costner not only retained the Saracen (who until Nasir had never been a Robin Hood character at all) but he filmed in many of the same locations used the same horsemaster (Stevie Dent) and clung to the magical elements - though being a good old American boy stuck to the idea of Christianity good - old religion bad, whereas Robin of Sherwood often showed the political corruption of the Church (historically accurate)and the simple spirituality of the old religion (unrelated to 'black' magic). I suppose any review should mention the immense debt Costner's Robin Hood Prince of Thieves owes to Robin of Sherwood. Richard Carpeneter's wise decision to make the new 'Robin Hood' a completely different character with a completely different background was a very wise move. In the third season, Jason Connery had a hell of a task following an actor so perfect for the Robin role, but he did reasonably well and the strong ensemble cast carried the change of lead well. (And by 'fey' I don't mean to imply any loss of masculinity.) The first two seasons - with Praed - were by far the best. Praed's youthful, dark, good looks had an almost 'fey' quality which made the magical element entirely believable. Ultimately, though, the series' immediate appeal was due to the amazing on-screen chemistry between its two leads, Michael Praed and the beautiful Judi Trott as (the first) Robin and his Marion. Due to be killed off at the end of the the first episode, he was so good, that he remained as a permanent cast member. In particular, congratulations to Mark Ryan - who became Nasir the Saracen. ![]() ![]() The scripts were were well written, the plotting well thought out and the characters - and ensemble cast - excellent. This retelling weaves myth and magic with the Robin Hood legend and, indeed, Robin becomes associated with the forest god, Herne the Hunter reinforcing the idea that Robin is a medieval incarnation of The Green Man (the 'foliate head' of the old religion which is often found carved on many churches).
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