Robin Hood - Series 1 Vol.2 (DVD)

...of the going ons of Robin Hood and his merry men.

==What Is It?==
This one disc DVD contains the next five episodes of series one of the BBC's creation of the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood. This was first shown on the BBC, and later released as DVD's, however they can now be bought as a full box set, and no longer per every 5 episodes. There are three volumes in this series, all of which I own. This is a completely different take ...
...2006, a new series of Robin Hood was shown on the BBC and most recently series 3 is on our screens with the finale episode coming very soon! I watched the first episode of series one and since then have been COMPLETELY addicted to the series. So it was fantastic to see that the BBC has released the series in DVD form in 2007. I knew I had to be the first to get them and eventually ended up buying all of Series one on DVD. This is the second DVD of ... more

I've already reviewed Volume 1 so obviously I have to review volume 2. This is for series one, so were getting to the half way point. Expect less character development and more action than the first few episodes. This contains four episodes of the going ons of Robin Hood and his merry men.

What Is It?

This one disc DVD contains the next five episodes of series one of the BBC's creation of the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood. This was first shown on the BBC, and later released as DVD's, however they can now be bought as a full box set, and no longer per every 5 episodes. There are three volumes in this series, all of which I own. This is a completely different take on the outlaw, and is seen to give him a new light and make him much more exciting and thrilling. This is PG rated and is suitable for children, as long as you don't mind them watching the odd sword fight and romantic scene!

Since 2006, a new series of Robin Hood was shown on the BBC and most recently series 3 is on our screens with the finale episode coming very soon! I watched the first episode of series one and since then have been COMPLETELY addicted to the series. So it was fantastic to see that the BBC has released the series in DVD form in 2007. I knew I had to be the first to get them and eventually ended up buying all of Series one on DVD. This is the second DVD of three of series one.

General Story Of Robin Hood.

Now if you don't know this already then you either have had your head buried in the sand or just don't get out very much. However it is defiantly worth mentioning the general story, as you are then able to compare it to the BBC take on it.
Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood basically!) arrives home from the Crusades in the Holy Land to find his people starving, cruelly treated and heavily taxed under the oppressive rule of the new Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin finds out that the only way to reason with the sheriff. However this means him being forced to give up his lands and title, which he proudly does for his people.
Robin and his servant and best friend Much, gather up a faithful gang of outlaws to beat the sheriff. They get Little John, Will Scarlett and Allan Dale to defeat the sheriff and regain peace to the land. But even with Robins cunning and talent with a bow and arrow, can he really defeat the Sheriff and his Black Knight Sir Guy of Gisborne. While of course juggling falling in love with Maid Marion, to whom she is the daughter of the previous Sheriff of Nottingham, who is now ill.
Basically the story surrounds the adventures each side has with trying to defeat each other and who can out smart one another.
Stars

Jonas Armstrong - The main guy who Robin Hood in the series. The fairly unknown actor who has been in such TV programmes as 'Teachers' and 'Ghost Sqaud'. However don't let that put you off, this really is his big break and expect you will see the young actor very soon in other projects, after Robin Hood. He is an excellent actor, playing Hood passionately yet cheekily at times. I really enjoyed watching him portray Hood, as he was able to show another side that I had not yet seen yet.
Keith Allen - Plays the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham brilliantly. One of my favourite characters in the series as Allan plays him so cruelly yet really shows off a sly side. Allen is probibly best known for his acting credits and music and of course being the dad of Lily Allen. One of the finest actors in the series and definately stands out.

Richard Armitage - Plays the Black Knight Sir Guy Gibson, the Sheriff of Nottinghams faithful sidekick. I first saw him on the Vicar of Dibley as he was the one who ended up marrying our favourite vicar! He is best known for his Shakespearian acting, and in many of popular TV shows such as 'Miss Marple' 'Spooks' and 'Ultimate Force'. One of my favourite actors.

Lucy Griffiths - Plays the fantastic, fiesty and simply beautiful Maid Marion. She really shines in Robin Hood, playing the very intelligent yet exceptionally fiesty Marion. However she gives a twist on the traditional character as she makes her really cunning and sexy. Griffiths like Armstrong is a fairly unknown actress however has been in TV before, 'Sugar Rush' and 'Sea of Souls'.

Sam Troughton - Plays the loveable Much. He is originally Robin Hood's man servant when he lived on the estate however has become his best friend and was freed. He is a very popular character and is seen as the babbling more cowardly man, compared to Robin. However he is actually exceptionally caring and loyal to Robin and the outlaws. I really enjoy Troughton playing him, you may recognise him from 'Vera Drake' and 'Alien Vs Predator'.

William Beck - Plays Little John's 'apprentice' who is learning the trade of being an outlaw. I was able to recognise him straight away from the film 'Snatch' in which he played Neil. Really enjoyed watching him in Robin Hood and is a well experienced actor who I expect we will be seeing in bigger projects in the near future.

Episode List

The Tax Man Cometh
This is one of more exciting and adreniline filled episodes of the entire series. When Robin and his gang find a man who claims to be the tax collector, they break into Nottingham Castle to steal the tax back. Being Robin Hood, it is not for himself but to give it to the poor to feed themselves. But they were tricked and end up locked in a room with no money in it, so not only nothing to steal but left feeling stupid. Robin takes it the hardest, saying he should never had led his men to do this. Meanwhile, the sheriff rewards the tax man for helping in the capture of the gang.
We see Marian arguing with her father whom is very reluctant to marry Sir Guy of Gisbourne. She ends up going to the castle to meet a mother superior, the highly respected Abbess of Rufford. Why you may ask? To become a nun... Very unlike Marions character who is a free spirit and a huge rebel. Viewers find out however that the mother superior is being held in the castle's chapel by the Sheriff. This is also where the Sheriff is keeping the silver (tax).
Robin and his gang cunningly manage to escape, whilst the tax man and Mother Superior steal the silver from the chapel. Wait a minute, yes a character twist? But who are they people and why are they doing it? They are both helped by Marion to escape but there is something wrong, you will have to watch to find out! I really enjoyed this episode, it was cunning and quick witted. You did get to see a more 'human' side to Robin in this as well, as he gets trapped with his men. A really good twist and some fantastic acting, especially by Marion. 5/5

Brothers In Arms
This is the one that started to pull that heartstrings. So far, Marion is desperately trying to keep in Guy of Gisbournes good books, but is in love with Robin. In this episode you see the tenseness of the situation growing as Marion is caught out. In this episode you start out by watching a rather crooked family reunion between Allan and his brother Tom. But it ends up a mess as Tom has brought along some rather unpleasent pals with him to cause trouble. Will this be the start of a very unhappy relationship between the two?
Meanwhile, in Nottingham a young poor couple turn up asking Guy of Gisbourne to marry them. Of course he agrees but want's something of value, so gets the poor girls necklace. He performs the ceremony and holds the necklace, bing! An idea. He gives it as a gift to Marion for her affection. She knows where it comes from and gets Robin to return to the girl who is so grateful. But Marion has been caught out. Gisbourne, while out on patrol, sees it around the girl's neck. Alarm bells start ringing as he seems to wonder how she was able to get it back. He suspects that Marion is allies with Robin. Oh dear...
In the castle, the Sheriff suspects a spy who is betraying his plans to Robin Hood and his gang. He immediately orders Gisbourne to set a trap to catch this spy. Gisbourne however ends up catching the wrong person who is his own soldier. He ends up dying under terrible torture, even though the viewers know that it is in fact Marion. But I reckon he does actually know that.
In quite a cruel twist in the series, Allans brother Tom and his gang are taken by the Sheriff's men and hanged. The Sheriff actually advances the hanging by an hour, so that by the time Robin and the gang arrive to rescue them, they are already too late. Robin finds out that Gisborne knows Marion gave the necklace back. This is worrying as not only for Marions sake but also for the people of Nottingham. Robin is on a new mission, to get the necklace back, and does so just in time so Marion can prove her innocence. This is relieving for the viewer, she has not been caught, but it was bloody close. She is however forced to promise Guy that in order to protect herself and her father from any harm from the Sheriff, that she will marry him the day King Richard returns from his mission in the Holy Land. She agrees. This is a very twisty and darker episode compared to previous ones. For the first time you see suspion in Gisbourne and a very public cruel side of the Sheriff. You also get to see a much realer side of Robin again like the last episode. A tense and thrilling episode! 5/5

Tattoo? What Tattoo?
A start a little different to many episodes in which Robin has a nightmare about his time in the Holy Land. It is about a group of Saracens who attempted to kill the king. Just as he slashes the attempted assassin's arm and sees his tattoo in which Robin hastily wakes.
The outlaws are busily humiliating Gisborne at a feast to celebrate King Richard's birthday by stealing their stuff. This ironically includes an engagement ring he was going to give to Marion. Gisborne tries to attack but Robin pins him to a wall with a dagger, ripping open his sleeve and revealing a tattoo identical to the assassin's, complete with scar. WHAT???
The outlaws quickly escape, but leave Djaq behind who is captured by the Sheriff. Meanwhile, Gisborne goes in pursuit of Robin and the stolen engagement ring. Some very quick scenes follow and Robin confronts Gisborne. After a spat, Robin knocks Gisborne down and prepares to slash his throat. However the rest of the outlaws arrive and stop him.
In the castle, Djaq manages to escape her cell by using acid to weaken the bars. Annoyingly she is recaptured hastily. The Sheriff however is fasinated by the acid and enlists her as his new alchemist. Meanwhile Robin begins beating up a tied up Gisborne, but is pulled off and knocked unconscious by Little John. However it was done in a caring manor. Much is left to guard a tied up Robin and Gisbourne whilst the others try to rescue Djaq. Robin tries to convince Much to release him. It fails dismally as he ends up insulting him. Robin begins threatening Gisborne which ends up into another heated arguement which turns to the subject of Marion. Robin knocks Gisbourne unconscious but then ends up falling out of exhaustion. Much returns with Marion and the rest of the outlaws. They have a plan to swap Gisbourne for Djaq, which could work. Again they leave Robin tied up and guarded by Much whilst the outlaws take Gisborne. Robin begins trying to get Much to untie him, again this fails.
In an odd twist, the Sheriff discovers Djaq is a girl and makes jibe at how popular she must be at night. Maybe not suitable for kids! Robin escapes and as the prisoners are exchanged, Robin declares his disagreement. Robin shouts that as soon as Prince Richard returns, he will see that tattoo and get his compupence. "Tattoo? What Tattoo?" shouts the Sheriff and burns it off with the Djaq's acid. After a lot of passionate shouting, will the outlaws finally be able to escape? Remember all the sheriffs men are there. I wrote a lot about this episode as I loved it so much! This is my favourite on the DVD and loved every minute. 5++++++++++/5

A Thing Or Two About Loyalty
A very weapon based episode. A scientist has invented a highly explosive black powder known as 'Greek fire' which the Sheriff wants to use. But he does not trust the Sheriff and refuses to hand over the recipe. The instructions for making "Greek fire" are written in a ledger (diary) so the Sheriff orders him to the dungeons until he tells. He already has however a few barrells already. Robin finds out about the ledger, so decides Much must stand in the marketplace and insult the Sheriff to get arrested. The plan does fail but he does get arrested after punching a guard.
Much is recognised as being Robin's right hand man and decides to keep an eye on him. He surprisingly appoints him as an Earl and he gets a servant girl called Eve who is actually a spy.
Robin breaks into the dungeons and asks the scientist to reveal where the ledger is. He refuses at first but then gives up and says the ledger is hidden in a water barrel outside the castle. Djaq however is desperate to find out how the Greek Fire is made, as the Saracens have been experimenting for years and never managed to produce any. She wants to keep the book and copy it. However they want the WIll wants the book destroyed. Robin refuses to destroy it, as he promised the Scientist that he would keep it secure.
However the Scientist is tortured to death after Gisbourne gets a row from the sheriff after it is found out Robin knows where the ledge is. Robin visits Much at his new large home and asks him to find out where the Sheriff's three barrels of Greek Fire are stored. Much goes to the Council of Nobles. The Sheriff mocks him in front of the other nobles however is still able to attend the feast. There Much gets to know his servant girl very well and Marion, who suspects Eve is a spy, takes Much aside and tells him where the ledger is. Of course she knows Eve is listening.
After a very sweet conversation between Much and Eve, she eventually tells him that she is a spy. She promises to lie to the Sheriff about the where the ledger is hidden. She then helps Much to escape back to the forest. Much, who never gets the romantic light, swears to her that he will come back and find her once Prince Richard returns. Marion is exceptionally angry that the scientist was killed and tells Gisbourne she will only wear it if he never upsets her like that again. Meanwhile, Eve tells the Sheriff that the ledger is hidden and the soldiers go and try and look for it. When Gisbourne returns with nothing, the Sheriff realises that Eve has mislead them. But for the poor Sheriff and Gisbourne, Robin is already there to ambush. Will it work however? Another exceptionally exciting episode which is so thrilling and fantastic. 5/5

The Soundtrack

Many people when reviewing TV series's never mention Soundtrack? This is such a vital part! I actually loved the soundtrack so much, I downloaded it on iTunes for a reasonable £7.99. The whole soundtrack features beautiful folk and traditional music, mainly to set the era correctly. What I loved was how the music brilliantly added to the scene. For example when we first see Robin and Marion alone toghether they use slightly cheeky but delicate music. However it is when the scenes get dramatic where the music is at its true best. The fights scenes have very powerful, strong music which I love. It really makes you enjoy the series even more. It is all composed by Andy Price, who won a BAFTA for his work in composing music for TV. You can tell he is good, no brilliant. I really enjoyed the soundtrack and would give that alone 5 stars, and would recommend checking it out on iTunes or in any music shops. 5/5

Special Features

The special features are a very disappointing. Many fans after watching all them excitement filled episodes, want something fantastic; some interviews, how they made the scenes and maybe some behind the scenes?
There is only sadly one special feature on this DVD. Compared to the last one which had some featurettes on how they made up scenes and interviews. This DVD features 'Guy of Gisbourne - A Profile' which is the character development and how they created the character. It does mention some bits like short snippets of Richard Armitage interviews but it is short and disappointing. I would love to have seen a lot more, especially for the Robin Hood fans who rarely get to see any interviews etc. Special features - 1/5

Price/Where To Get It

I bought mine online using Amazon.co.uk which it only cost me £14. I was disappointed a bit on the price it is a lot. However I was prepared to pay this as the quality is excellent. However I got this a while ago and now you can get it from various sites and shops for around £4, which works out at around £1 per episode. Now you can buy the full box set which may work out more economical. However I bought the three volumes, and really enjoyed watching them all. HMV, Play.com and BBC Online is just some of the many places you can buy this. It is widely avaliable like many BBC DVD's are. As long as you don't pay more than £15 for it, you will be getting a bargain. Price - 4/5

Overall

Ok I have been a little biased as I love ROBIN HOOD! I wasn't sure what to expect when I first watching this on BBC1 almost 3 years ago. However I have become a complete addict and really enjoyed buying and watching this volume of the series.
Robin Hood's has a striking new look, which takes away from the traditional tight wearing man in green that we all know. Instead he is a sophisticated, witty, slightly cocky and very smart man. He just wants justice for his people, which is what he fights for. The brilliant scripts, fantastic soundtrack and excellent characters will have you hooked after the first episode.
If you want to get into it, it is on every Saturday on BBC1 and the series finale is actually this weekend (20th June) which sees the end of Series 3.

COMPLETELY RECOMMEND COMPLETE SERIES!

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