Robin Hood & his band of Merry Men.... - Page 2

steeljack · 10-10-2006, 23:19

Whirligig link works ok this side of the pond , thanks for the link , some good nostalgia stuff

bullseyebarb · 11-10-2006, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Who among you can recall that classic television series of the early '60's, Robin Hood? Broadcast in glorious black & white, it came on once a week around tea time and told many an intrepid adventure of the outlaw Robin Hood and his men against the dastardly schemes of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his nasty side-kick, Guy of Gisburn.

Starring the British actor Richard Greene, it ran for many years and each episode was arguably as entertaining as the great 1930's film with Errol Flynn as the mighty swordsman and Basil Rathbone as the Sheriff, which contained probably the best duelling scene in cinematic history. Well, since then we have seen various attempts to recreate the Locksley Legend, both on the large and the small screen, none with any reasonable success.

With some excitement therefore, I prepared to settle down on saturday evening to view the new well-publicised ten million quid blockbuster of Robin Hood. Filmed in Hungary by the BBC, but almost lost to our screens following the theft of the master tapes, The BBC had to fork out an additional half million ransom for their return,in order that everything could go ahead as normal and everyone would be happy.

Struggling with the uncorking of a fine South African Pinotage, I missed the opening minutes of the show; When I did get my first view, there on the screen was a callow youth, sporting a half-hearted attempt at a beard.

"Who is this character?", I wondered.

The answer was not long in coming - for it was no more than the man himself - Robin Hood! The BBC are having a laugh, I thought...but worse was to come...much, much, worse.

For in the next scene, Robin was forced to draw his weapons..which comprised a simitar and an arabic bow. Now, nowhere in the legends of Robin Hood has there been any reference to his use of these armaments. Why would he? The English Long Bow was by far the superior weapon while the broadsword was more than a match for the curved sword (useful in slicing, but useless in stabbing). Nevertheless, the BBC decided to rewrite the history of early medieval warfare.

Although this was political correctness gone mad, worse was to follow...soon the script was coming out with howlers such as "standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Pope" while Robin Hood was challenging English middle-eastern policy. Enough being enough, I slung my bottle of wine towards the TV screen, fortunatly missing, but in the process leaving a large stain on the back wall.

I fear for what will happen next week, as no doubt, we are introduced to the merry men in Sherwood. Will we see the Iman Tuck? Will Maid Marion be fully veiled, or will it go the other way, and she turns out to be a fighting lesbian bandit...or maybe a combination of both? Will Will Scarlett be a puffter? And will the nasty Prince John turn out to be Tony Blair, biding his time until King Richard turns up, aka Gordon Brown?

This is funny stuff, Tealeaf! I like your style.