The Legend of Robin Hood (TV series)
A 1975 BBC serial noted for historical accuracy and family adventure
In 1975, the BBC produced a television serial called *The Legend of Robin Hood*, a version of the outlaw story noted for its commitment to historical accuracy in depicting the 12th century. The plot follows Robin, a forester raised by John Hood, who discovers he is the lost son of the late Earl of Huntington. Sent to London with a signet ring and a letter for King Richard I, he aids Lady Marion, who is forced into marriage with Sir Guy of Gisborne by her uncle, Sir Kenneth Neston. The king makes Robin his page, but Robin is captured by monks and misses the departure for the Crusades. The Sheriff of Nottingham lies to the king that Robin has renounced his title and refused to go, but outlawry is declared later after Robin's actions in Sherwood. Robin’s band struggles to find food due to guards in the forest, so they impose a toll on road users. When the king is captured and held for ransom, Queen Eleanor instructs Robin to steal tax money the Sheriff has illegally kept with Prince John’s permission. Prince John is appointed regent by the council, but King Richard returns just as he seizes power. With Robin’s help, the king captures the Sheriff as he tries to escape through a secret tunnel. Robin is later poisoned by the Sheriff's agent, seeking revenge for her brother’s death, and dies from the poison.
The serial aired on BBC in the Sunday tea-time slot and was broadcast in the United States by PBS, where it was rated and advertised as a family serial. The cast included Martin Potter as Robin Hood, Diane Keen as Lady Marion, William Marlowe as Sir Guy of Gisbourne, Paul Darrow as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Michael-John Jackson as King Richard I, David Dixon as Prince John, Miles Anderson as Will Scarlet, Tony Caunter as Friar Tuck, Conrad Asquith as Little John, Yvonne Mitchell as Queen Eleanor, John Abineri as Sir Kenneth Neston, Anthony Garner as the Earl of Huntingdon, Tony Doyle as Norman Sergeant, David Ryall as the Abbot of Grantham, Martin Duncan as Blondin, Stephen Whittaker as Ralph Gammon, and Roy Marsden as Military Prior.
Reception was positive. Clive James in *The Observer* called it “a promising series. Neatly written, well acted, finely dressed and softly filmed like Akenfield.” Bernard Davies in *Broadcast* said it “stands in the true succession of Sunday afternoon serials with something for everybody,” praising the BBC for recalling its pro
- broadcast_network
- BBC
- year
- 1975
- format
- Television serial
- country
- United Kingdom
- known_for
- Depicting the 12th century accurately; controversy over violence
Lore & Background
The serial follows Robin, raised as a forester by John Hood, who discovers he is the long-lost son of the late Earl of Huntington. He is sent to King Richard I with a signet ring and letter, but on the way he helps Lady Marion, who is forced to marry Sir Guy of Gisborne. Robin becomes the king's page but is captured by monks, missing the Crusade. The Sheriff of Nottingham falsely reports that Robin renounces his title, but outlawry is declared later after Robin's actions in Sherwood. Robin's gang struggles for food and decides to levy tolls on forest roads. When King Richard is captured and held for ransom, Queen Eleanor instructs Robin to rob the Sheriff's illegally kept tax money. Prince John is appointed regent by the council, but King Richard returns, arrests the Sheriff with Robin's help, and Robin is later poisoned by the Sheriff's agent, not by Marguerite (who is not Sir Guy's sister), and dies.
Reader's Guide
The Legend of Robin Hood holds significance as a BBC Sunday tea-time serial that aimed for historical accuracy in its depiction of the 12th century. It was broadcast in the United States by PBS and advertised as a family serial. The programme sparked controversy when Mary Whitehouse and the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association attacked it for extreme violence and sadism, singling out a shot of a dead man with blood on his face. The BBC defended the show, noting it was approved by senior executives and promoted as suitable for parents and children. Television historian James Chapman later noted that, viewed today, the serial does not seem particularly violent compared to other programmes of the era. The serial also produced an illustrated television tie-in book by Carola Oman, published alongside a tie-in for the BBC serial North & South.
Did You Know?
- The serial was broadcast by the BBC in the Sunday 'tea time slot'.
- It was attacked by Mary Whitehouse and the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association for extreme violence and sadism.
- An illustrated television tie-in book was written by Carola Oman and published on November 13, 1975.
- The cast included Martin Potter as Robin Hood and Diane Keen as Lady Marion.
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