The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1960) Reviewed

Series/Season 1

The early episodes of The Adventures of Robin Hood (of which there were 39) ran from September 1955 to July 1956 and give an account of the legendary figure's career beginning with his return from the Crusades. Unjustly deprived of his land and title, he becomes an outlaw and retreats to Sherwood Forest, gradually gathering a band of misfits who share his vision of wealth redistribution. Made for family viewing, the violence is mild and the romance is tame, but there is an earnest subversiveness in its writing due partly to its source material and partly (perhaps) to the fact that two of the writers were blacklisted in Hollywood during the communist witchhunt of the 1950s.

Robin Hood (Richard Greene) is portrayed with self-assurance, a sense of humor, and a consistent concern for the welfare of others regardless of their station or background. You would be forgiven if you mistook him for an archtypical father figure of 1950s family television rather than a swashbuckling adventurer, for he could easily pass as such with a change of costume, but he is cunning and quick to act when an innocent life is in danger or a rich purse is in need of lightening for a good cause.

Archie Duncan and Alexander Gauge are fine as Little John and Friar Tuck respectively, but Bernadette O'Farrell is especially good as a courageous and clever Maid Marian. The camaraderie of Robin's band of outlaws is believable, although the frequent re-use of actors in different roles is less so.

The first season (series) of The Adventures of Robin Hood is an entertaining and intelligent re-telling of the tales suitable for all ages. With any luck, the later seasons are equally enjoyable. Someday, perchance, I'll be able to watch them and review them.

Writing: Good
Directing: Good
Acting: Good
Cinematography: Fair
Stunts: Fair
Swordplay: Fair
Panache: Good

Overall Rating: Good
Swashbuckling Rank: Fair/Good

Written by: various
Directed by: various
Performed by: Richard Greene, Bernadette O'Farrell, Victor Woolf, Archie Duncan, Alexander Gauge, Alan Wheatley, et al.