The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV Series) The Coming of Robin Hood (1955) User Reviews

Wonderful beginning to a delightful series

[Paularoc · 7/10 · 28 September 2012]

This show was one of my favorites as a youngster. Evidently the series is in the public domain and many of the episodes are now readily available (Matinee Classics, Internet Archive, Uncle Ear's Classic Television Channel). That is a good thing as the show is very enjoyable with the personable and charming Richard Greene, the excellent supporting cast, and the engaging scripts (with just the right amount of humor). In this, the pilot episode, Robin of Locksley returns home from the Crusades to find that his lands have been taken by an upstart Norman (played to smarmy perfection by Rumpole of the Bailey, Leo McKern). After saving a poacher from being killed by foresters, Robin is declared a criminal by the Sheriff of Nottingham and takes off for Sherwood Forest where he meets other "outlaws" hiding there. Since he was first seen by them wearing a cape with a hood, he is given the name Robin Hood. Just prior to watching this episode yesterday, I watched the pilot show of the Adventures of Sir Lancelot, a series made at about the same time. In every way, Robin Hood is superior - the actors, the productions values, the fight scenes, the sets, the music, the script. Not only children, but adults also can enjoy this show.

The Coming of Robin Hood

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 14 June 2020]

Lord Lew Grade's ITC wanted to make lucrative adventure shows mining Britain's heritage that can then be sold to US television. Although The Adventures of Robin Hood was primarily made for the new ITV network.

The first episode sees Robin of Loxley, a Saxon nobleman returning home after four years away fighting in the Crusades.

Robin discovers that he has been pronounced dead and Sir Roger de Lisle has taken over his castle and estates. Robin's servants have been thrown out by these Normans.

Sir Roger is unwilling to return that lands back and claims this Robin is an impostor.

After defending a poacher who killed a deer to feed his starving family. The Sheriff of Nottingham in league with Sir Roger declares Robin to be an outlaw.

Robin proves to the Sheriff his identity but the Sheriff hints at Sir Roger that it would be prudent if Robin meets with a fatal accident.

Sir Roger's plans go wrong but Robin ends up in Sherwood Forest with other outlaws.

There is a lot of money thrown in this episode. It was shot on film with a lot of outdoor filming. The production values are very good for its time and several action sequences.

Lord Grade would probably been unaware at the time that this show had a left wing subtext. As the movie Fellow Traveller in 1990 revealed. Many American blacklisted writers wrote for the show under pseudonyms. A largely Saxon underclass with their Norman overlords allowed some of the writers to allude to real life social inequalities.

From 'Sir Robin Of Loxley' To 'Robin Hood'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 25 January 2010]

This opening episode, the first of 143, aired in September of 1955. I haven't seen these shows since then, so 55 years has passed. Needless to say, this is like watching a TV I've never seen before. Hopefully, it will be interesting. I found this first show to be good.

"Sir Robin of Loxley" (Richard Greene) has returned after four years of fighting in the crusades. He just wants to settle down and spend the rest of his life in peace. However, he soon finds out from a loved and trusted old gatekeeper "Tom" and his wife "Martha" that the evil "Roger DeLisle" has taken his family's property and has branded Robin an outlaw. Orders are to kill him, if anyone sees him. So much for living a peaceful life and loyal service to the king!

How "Sir Robin Of Loxley" fends off this evil guy and then winds up in Sherwood Forest with the rest of the "outlaws" (thus, becoming Robin Hood) is all packed into this adventurous first 30-minute episode. Good stuff!