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Sherwood Forester Issue 5 – June 2004 |
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Editorial comment
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It seems only yesterday
since we launched the web site and our online magazine. Here we are again with our fifth issue of
the Sherwood Forester.
Our cover and two of our articles come from the
follow up film from Richard Greene “Sword of Sherwood Forest”. Our first article comes from the pen of
Steve Winders, whilst the second from Anna.
Both look to try to understand why it was not a success. The cover artwork also comes from Anna. An excellent choice of images.
We have finally come up with proposed plans for the
“Anniversary” celebrations for next year.
Thank you everyone, we had some excellent suggestions.
In this Issue |
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Steve Winders' comes up
with his thoughts on the film spawned from ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’. |
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Continuing the theme,
Anna comes up with her own views on ‘Sword of Sherwood Forest’. |
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Lucy Carpenter continues
her series of episode reviews, which concentrates on the four episodes that
feature the Scottish Outlaw, Duncan of Stoneykirk. |
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Also from the ‘Sword
of Sherwood Forest’. |
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Here it is, the proposed
programme. |
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Why was the ‘Sword of Sherwood Forest’ not successful?
By Steve Winders |
‘The Sword of Sherwood
Forest’ was an entertaining and well-paced film. Although the actors who played
Robin’s band and the Sheriff of Nottingham were not those who had played the
roles in the television series, they were nevertheless good experienced actors
who were well suited to their roles. Of course they were not the actors that
fans of Richard Greene’s ‘Robin Hood’ had grown to love and for fans of the
series this was definitely a negative point. Apart from this, my only complaint
about the characters was the presentation of Marian as a typical vulnerable
‘Hammer’ heroine, with all the emphasis on sex appeal. I much preferred the
depiction of Marian as an intelligent and confident heroine adopted by the
television series.
The film was well directed
by Terence Fisher, who was one of Hammer Films’ ablest directors and featured
excellent performances by Richard Pasco, Oliver Reed and Peter Cushing as the
villains. So apart from the fact that the principal characters were played by
different actors there is no obvious reason why the film did not enjoy the
success that was hoped for.
I think we must look
beyond the actual film itself for possible reasons for its comparative failure.
In 1961 a film programme in the cinema consisted of two films, a main feature
and a supporting film. I did not see ‘The Sword of Sherwood Forest’ in the
cinema, but vaguely recall seeing it advertised in the local newspaper as a
second feature at one of my town’s cinemas. I cannot recall what film it was
paired with and I do not know whether it had an initial release as a main
feature, but if my memory is correct then the nature of its release might
account for its lack of success. There are many reasons why films succeed and
fail quite apart from whether they are any good or not.
As recently as twenty
years ago, America’s big summer releases did not reach the U.K. until Christmas
and so in a wet summer when competition was limited, a family film that might
otherwise have enjoyed modest success could actually make a lot of money. A
case in point was ‘Warlords of Atlantis’ released in 1978 when the most popular
holiday weeks in July and August were quite wet in England. ‘Warlords of
Atlantis’ benefited from a lack of competition but there are many films that
suffer from an ill-timed release. I do not know what other films came out at
the same time as ‘The Sword of Sherwood Forest’, but a well-publicised family
film from one of the big studios could easily have damaged its takings at the
box office.
A final possible reason
for the film’s lukewarm reception may have been its timing in relation to the
television series. Hammer Films made a lot of films based on popular television
and radio series, but most of these were rushed out to coincide with the
series’ peak of popularity. ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ had been
phenomenally popular, but by 1960 the series had been cancelled. Whether the
programme’s popularity had significantly diminished is unclear, but it was
certainly no longer appearing in the top twenty programme charts as it had in
its early days. It is quite possible that viewers had become complacent about
the series, having had too much of a good thing! There were two films based on
the popular ‘Doctor Who’ television series made in the mid sixties. The first
was a major success and spawned a sequel, but the second received disappointing
box office returns, even though it is widely regarded as a much better film.
When the first film came out, the television programme was extremely popular,
but by the time the second film was released the series was losing viewers. Of
course ‘Doctor Who’ survived on television and subsequently recovered in
popularity, but the poor performance of the film was undoubtedly due to its
decline on television.
While the above
suggestions are pure speculation, I do think that the change of actors in ‘The
Sword of Sherwood Forest had some bearing on the film’s lack of success. I
strongly suspect that Hammer Films deliberately employed a different supporting
cast to avoid having to pay royalties to Sapphire Films or ITC as owners of the
series. They were always famous for their low budgets! As a legendary hero
Robin Hood cannot be copyrighted and so as long as the film did not take too
much from the series then they would not have to pay anything for rights. In
fact Hammer had made a previous film about Robin in 1954 (Men of Sherwood
Forest) and would make another in 1968 (A Challenge for Robin Hood). After the
series ended I imagine that Richard Greene was free to play any role he was
offered including Robin Hood, without his former paymasters being able to raise
any objection, but for Hammer to engage other actors from the series to reprise
their original roles would presumably have given ITC strong grounds for
objection. They could rightly have claimed that Hammer were making a film of
their version of Robin Hood without authorisation. (A change of actor for Friar
Tuck was of course necessary anyway, as Alexander Gauge had died in 1960).
Steve Winders
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH SWORD
OF SHERWOOD FOREST?
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(Some observations of
my own, and of other viewers I have talked to)
First, what was right
about “Sword of Sherwood Forest”: it looked more realistic than “The
Adventures”- it was in colour, the outdoor scenes were filmed on location, and the
indoor ones - in convincing, solid looking interiors. But… Am I the only viewer who missed the all-purpose scenery, and
the “trees on wheels”? I think they
gave the series a theatrical feel - that slightly surreal quality, suggesting a
fairy tale setting, or a fantasy world.
I imagined that “Sword of
Sherwood Forest” would be a continuation of “The Adventures”: several new
episodes, or perhaps a happy ending to the series – when King Richard returns,
and the outlaws receive their pardon.
But it turned out to be a completely different story… So, for me the lack of continuity was the
biggest disappointment. I just could
not accept that Robin met Marian after he had been in Sherwood for several
years; in “The Adventures”, as in many other versions, they are childhood
friends. (Steve mentions in his article
that the story probably had to be changed, so that Hammer Studios would not
have to pay royalties to ITC).
For everyone else, the
greatest disappointment was the cast.
By the time the film was made, some of the original actors from “The
Adventures” were not available, for various reasons. And it was cheaper for Hammer Studios to employ their own
contract actors. Perhaps if the film
had been made earlier, just after the series ended…
But the familiar
characters did not just look different in “Sword of Sherwood Forest” - they had
different personalities as well.
Everyone disliked Sarah Branch as Marian; we were used to Marian who was
equally comfortable as the lady of Fitzwalter manor, as she was with a bow and
arrows in Sherwood, dressed in Lincoln green.
And “our” Friar Tuck was intelligent, quick thinking (and quick acting),
when the situation demanded it. The “new”
Little John was not the impulsive but loyal “gentle giant” we remembered. I thought that he was almost too
good-looking, and too clever…
I have heard the view that
by the time “Sword of Sherwood Forest” was made, Richard Greene was too old to
play Robin Hood. If we were to compare
“Sword of Sherwood Forest” with the Errol Flynn version, then the answer to
that would have to be - yes. But in
terms of the Robin Hood myth, certainly not - in the traditional ballads Robin
spent most of his life in Sherwood. So
he did not have to be always young – he could have been an “old warrior”
character, a confident leader with experience and wisdom, showing signs of
weariness at times. This is how Richard
Greene portrayed him in the later episodes of “The Adventures”. His Robin Hood character was not really
different in “Sword of Sherwood Forest”, although I believe that it would have
made the film more interesting if the age aspect had been emphasised as part of
the story.
So many missed
opportunities… In the end, “Sword of Sherwood Forest” turned out to be neither
one thing nor the other; it was obviously not a continuation of “The
Adventures”, and it was not credible as a completely new version of the Robin
Hood story, independent of the series - how could it be, with the same actor
playing Robin Hood? Stephen Knight
described the film as “lacklustre” in one of his books, and the viewers
generally agree that it was not memorable – a pale imitation of “The
Adventures”, despite a good story, and good acting. Why? I believe that there
was one very important reason – the absence of the original blacklisted
scriptwriters, with their intelligent (and often crazy) humour, and their
first-hand experience of coercion and betrayal. Without them, the Robin Hood story could never be the same again… (A. F.)
Episode Review – Highland Fling
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The Cast
Hugh
McDermott – Duncan of Stoneykirk Hilary Paterson – Meg Andrew Faulds – Davy Graham Steward – Malcolm Duncan McIntryre – King
William Jack McKay – Treasurer Raymond Ray - Hermit Paul Eddington – Baron
Mornay Victor Wolfe – Landlord Screenplay
– Leighton Reynolds Director – Terry Bishop THE
HIGHLANDER YOU MAY RECALL WAS
ONCE THE SUBJECT OF OUR TALE AND NOW WITH DIRK AND KILT AND ALL HE’S BACK ON ROBIN’S
TRAIL |
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He’s back, Duncan of Stoneykirk,
the wild, uncanny Scotsman. The
Highland Fling is not just a Scottish dance, it refers to Robin’s and Friar
Tuck’s trek to the Scottish Highlands.
It’s been two years since Duncan visited Sherwood Forest, causing havoc
and chaos with his volatile and ostentatious personality. Robin Hood and his
men survived all that Duncan handed them, but in the end Duncan made peace with
Robin, and he did profit from Duncan’s visit, the outlaws weren’t sorry to see
him head back to Scotland.
The Baron Mornay, an
emissary of King Richard, comes to Nottingham in search of Robin Hood. The King is in need of money for the
Crusades and King William the Lion of Scotland has agreed to pay back a debt of
500 gold crowns that was owed to King Richard’s father Henry II. Richard wants Robin to travel to Scotland to
meet with King William and see that the money is safely returned to England.
Robin, disguised as a
nobleman, and with his friend and confidante Friar Tuck make the journey to Scotland,
a trip that takes them through the dangerous “Scottish Highlands”. While traveling through the Scottish
Higlands, Robin and Friar Tuck are set upon by Scottish Outlaws, Robin’s
identity is revealed and the Scottish Outlaws are excited to meet the venerable
English Outlaw. Robin and Friar spend a
night in the Scottish Outlaws camp, and Duncan of Stoneykirk is anxious to know
the true nature of Robin’s visit to Scotland.
In the still of the night while everyone is sleeping Duncan sneaks a
look at Robin’s documents from King Richard and is now eager to be the
recipient of some of the 500 gold crowns.
Robin meets with King
William and the Treasurer and takes receipt of the money. Unbeknownst to Robin and Friar Tuck the King
has no intention of allowing the money to leave Scotland. There is an amusing exchange between Robin
and the King when the King is warning Robin about Scottish outlaws; he asks
Robin if he has problems with outlaws in England, to which Robin replies, “I’ve
never had any problems with them.”
Robin and Friar leave with the money, but are attacked by the King’s
soldiers disguised as outlaws; in a twist the real “Scottish Outlaws” arrive on
the scene and come to Robin’s and Friar’s aid.
Robin realizes that Duncan and his men didn’t appear by accident, but
Robin being the clever person that he is has the ability to outsmart Duncan and
to safely return to England with the 500 gold crowns.
Duncan of Stoneykirk is a
fun character, despite all his flaws.
He does not have the leadership qualities or the honor and fairness of
our favorite English Outlaw. Stark
contrast of how Duncan and Robin run their camps: Duncan’s camp is chaotic,
with Duncan giving the orders, and a female outlaw, Meg, “an outlaw lass”,
Duncan’s lass. Robin’s camp is orderly
and well run, one for all and all for one (I know, it sounds like another
familiar story). Duncan is more of a dictator – a grandiose personality – where
Robin’s fair and just and everyone has a vote on issues. Duncan doesn’t garner
any input, he just gives orders and expects loyalty in return. Robin gives and receives respect and
loyalty. Where Duncan is gaudy and
gauche, Robin is genial and gallant.
Robin invests in people, Duncan invests in himself.
Robin may have left
Scotland in a hurry, but he hasn’t seen the last of Duncan, he will make
another uninvited appearance in Sherwood in the next episode - “The Bagpipper”;
and so the saga continues……
Lucy
Carpenter
Trivia |
This
month’s trivia follows the “Sword of Sherwood Forest” theme. Found on eBay, cinema lobby posters (cards).
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Anniversary Celebrations |
Can
we start by first thanking everybody for responding to the survey and putting
forward their suggestions. They were
many and varied. However, having taken
everybody’s views into account, we have come up with the following proposed
programme for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of that very first
transmission back in September 1955.
Planned for the weekend
commencing Friday, 23rd September 2005. Come and join us in Nottingham (actual location to be confirmed).
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Friday |
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2pm |
Gather for coffee,
introductions. Group photograph. |
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Afternoon |
Sherwood Forest |
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Evening |
Meal followed by Quiz and
Slideshow |
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Saturday
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Day |
Tours of Nottingham and
Castle |
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Evening |
Medieval Banquet. Speakers intermingled with viewing of
selected episodes. |
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Sunday
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Day |
Visit to site of
Nettlefold Studios and nearby locations. |
We are obviously looking
to invite special guests to the Banquet Evening and any help that other
“outlaws” in achieving this would be greatly appreciated.
The
Sunday visit is also dependent on research still to be carried out re
locations. Once again we are looking
for help from other “outlaws” to assist with this. However, should this not come off, we have a number of other
suggestions to fill this day.
Likely costs to those
attending: -
2 nights accommodation
Coach travel to Sherwood Forest
on Friday
Friday evening meal
Banquet
Coach to
Nottingham/Nettlefold for Sunday.
Mid-day meal arrangements
on Friday/Saturday/Sunday
Obviously these details
need to be finalised quite quickly so that those attending can budget
accordingly. Can all those who plan to
attend email either Anna or Mike at trhas@hotmail.com. All costs will be kept to a minimum, so if
you wish us to also make accommodation arrangements then please also indicate
this.
Letters (Emails) To The Editors
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The following is a
selection of emails we have recently received.
Thank you for the kind comments.
Love all your hard work –
keep it up.
Ralph Cooper
Congratulations - What a
GREAT job you are doing.
Have been a HUGE fan of the
Adventures of Robin Hood since boyhood.
Consider Richard Greene to
be the only GENUINE Robin Hood.
Just love the music and
strong social justice themes.
Gavan Podbury
I loved your site and
thought it was well written and designed.
Lynne Wilson
Have
found your web site over the last year and have been really impressed.
I have been a huge fan of
The Adventures of Robin Hood since the late fifties and have the photographic
evidence of attending various village fetes as the man himself.
I have never forgotten the
series and remember the last repeats in the London area around 1971 and then
nothing. I remember my sister telling me of Robin Hood being shown in Zambia in
1976-77 and she describes “ The Fire” as one episode she watched.
Charlie Laing
I will always have a place
in my heart for "Robin Hood". Memories of coming home from school,
getting changed & eating my tea while watching "Robin Hood". Years later I was at Keele University studying
law. During a lecture on the "Law of Contract" there was a case study
on a man who sold a car which did not belong to him, & he claimed he was
the actor Richard Greene. The tutor, as an aside, said "whoever Richard
Greene may be", I was soon able to give my own lecture to the tutor on
just who he was.
Peter Kinsey
Greetings to Sherwood
Forest from Central Minnesota USA!
I don't recall if I
watched the series during the original airing, or during the period just after
1958. Regardless, I and my friends enjoyed it and to us, Richard Greene is the
definitive Robin (although Errol Flynn's Robin is hard to beat, too!). The
theme song has been bouncing through my long-term memory all these years - I
can't recall watching an episode of the TV show in 40 years. I just bought a
2-DVD set of 12 episodes distributed by the Platinum Disc Corporation, which
led me to search the Internet.
Anyway, best of luck with
your site. Sincerely,
Duane Otremba
That’s all folks
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Our next issue is out on
the 31st August 2004. If you
have any items of interest you wish included in the magazine please do not
hesitate to contact us at trhas@hotmail.com.
Anna and Mike