Robin Hood?

Elba · 2nd November 2001, 05:24 PM

Hi all!

Just a bit curious, wasn't there a TV show called Robin Hood? I believe Christopher Lee was in it as a wizard. Can someone shed some light?

**John Farrell** · 2nd November 2001, 08:32 PM

You may mean the superb black and white British series starring Richard Green which, when I was kid, showed weekday afternoons (this is in Boston, MA).

No surprise that Terence Fisher, one of Hammer's classic directors, was a regular director on the show.

Would not surprise me if this was the series Mr. Lee may have appeared on.

Here's the direct link for more info:

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0047706

143 episodes altogether. 1955-1960. The show also featured Paul Eddington (Richard in Devil Rides Out) as Will Scarlett (long before "Yes, Minister" for sure)

I remember being much more enchanted by this series than by the (admittedly excellent) Errol Flynn movie...

**Colin Bushby** · 2nd November 2001, 10:31 PM

I could be wrong, but off the top of my head Mr. Lee starred in the mini series called Ivenhoe, not sure of the characters name though, you can check it on IMDB.

**Charles Prepolec** · 3rd November 2001, 05:36 AM

I believe the series in question is The New Adventures of Robin Hood which was produced at the Vilnius Studios in Lithuania in 1996. Mr. Lee appeared in 4 episodes as a magical figure by the name of Olwyn.

While the old Richard Greene Robin Hood series is fondly remembered by many, Mr. Lee did not make an appearance. However, Mr. Lee's long-time friend and co-star, Peter Cushing, did appear as the villainous Sherrif of Nottigham alongside Richard Greene as Robin, in a big-screen film for Hammer entitled Sword of Sherwood Forest. This, the second of 3 Robin Hood films produced by Hammer, was filmed in Ireland, and was directed by Hammer regular Terence Fisher.

Cheers!

**John Farrell** · 5th November 2001, 07:41 PM

Charles:

"However, Mr. Lee's long-time friend and co-star, Peter Cushing, did appear as the villainous Sherrif of Nottigham alongside Richard Greene as Robin, in a big-screen film for Hammer entitled Sword of Sherwood Forest. This, the second of 3 Robin Hood films produced by Hammer, was filmed in Ireland, and was directed by Hammer regular Terence Fisher."

This is cool! I saw "A Challenge for Robin Hood"--but it wasn't Richard Greene. The film itself was excellent. Delightful to know there were two other Hammer Robin Hoods. Will checkt to see if they're available on video...

Thanks for the tip.

Best,

John F

**Charles Prepolec** · 6th November 2001, 05:10 AM

John,

Sadly, Richard Greene's Sword of Sherwood Forest truly lacks even the charm of the television series, much less the classic 1939 film The Adventures of Robin Hood. There is a wooden quality to the film that, unfortunately, has little to do with being set in a forest... Even Peter Cushing, the consummate professional, appears to be somewhat pressed to make something distinctive of his role, although his appearance is, in fact , the highlight of the film.

I quite liked A Challenge for Robin Hood although, in my opinion, the best of Hammer's Robin Hood flicks was their first...Men of Sherwood Forest. While Don Taylor was no Errol Flynn (who could be?), both he as Robin, and the film on the whole, came closest to recapturing the playful feel of the 1939 classic. The film also has the distinction of being Hammer's first colour feature. Notable amongst the cast is Douglas Wilmer (Nayland Smith in a number of Mr. Lee's Fu Manchu films) as Sir Nigel Saltire. Look out for fleeting appearances from Bernard Bresslaw (of many Carry On films, not to mention Hammer's lost comedic version of Jekyll and Hyde - The Ugly Duckling ) and Ballard Berkeley (the Major on Fawlty Towers) . Men of Sherwood Forest is a charming and fun-filled little flick that is a valid addition to the Robin Hood cinema mythos!

Cheers!