Somewhat to my embarrassment, I've developed a bit of an addiction to the new BBC series of Robin Hood. There's lots to criticise about it. Robin himself looks far more likely to have just returned from fronting a Brit Pop band and dating Kate Moss than defending King Richard against the Saracens. The dialogue and plot are riddled with painfully obvious and ahistorical comparisons to present day concerns: When Robin is arrested by the Sheriff in episode two, Marian tells Guy of Gisborne that Robin is legally entitled to a trial. Not any more, sneers Guy. During a time of war, the security of the state is paramount: the Sheriff has suspended the laws entitling suspects to a trial, and sentenced Robin to immediate death. How dastardly! It's eye-rollingly unsubtle. And now Robin has started dropping quotes from the Qur'an to show what a new age warrior he is (he might have killed a lot of Saracens, but at least he understands their culture!).
At the end of the day, however, Robin Hood is a compelling story. I've loved it in every form - from Prince of Thieves to Men in Tights. And this series gets the central elements right: there are cackling villains and dashing heroes, the merry men are bumbling but courageous, very few people actually get killed, Marian is feisty and frequently right, and the off-scene presence of Richard the Lionheart provides the promise of ultimate restoration. So don't invite me out on Sunday nights for the next three months!
2 comments:
Yes, I feel the same about it- anachronistic, too "contemporary" in style, sometimes downright corny, and still compelling viewing. I read recently that a new (US?) film version is underway that turns Robin into a villain, which caused some debate on the list I read that on- apparently in the earliest mentions of Robin he was a less heroic figure, decapitating (decaffeinating?) an altar boy who saw him commit a crime, but like Arthur he developed from shadowy and dodgy figure to archetypal hero. The 1979 BBC serial has recently come out in the UK starring David Dixon (Ford Prefect) and Paul Darrow (Avon in Blake's 7) as the villains. I remember that series as a nipper watching it on the ABC in the afternoon... excellent stuff.
Not sure if I'm looking forward to Several Men and a Baby yet though... taped it last night (with the wonderful Showband 2) will watch it this arvo.
Matt (Comrade Cardier- happy Labour Day!)
Thanks for visiting, Matt - I hope you enjoyed that latest episode. I was going to mention Showband as well - really, Sunday night on the ABC is quality viewing at the moment! The new film sounds interesting - the dark side of Robin!
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