Review: Robin Hood at Hammer
Blu-ray: Robin Hood at Hammer: Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) A Challenge For Robin Hood (1967)
In 1960’s Sword of Sherwood Forest, Richard Greene reprises the role he made famous in the classic television series The Adventures of Robin Hood and battles the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (played with relish by the always watchable Peter Cushing), while attempting to thwart a plot to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury (Jack Gwillm).
Interspersed with scenes of over the top archery skills is an uncredited performance by Oliver Reed who speaks with the most amazing accent and looks like a Romulan extra from an original Star Trek episode…worth watching for that alone.
1967’s A Challenge for Robin Hood sees Barrie Ingham don the Lincoln green tights in a genesis story of Robin Hood that I found quite fascinating, with family betrayal, murder and more action than the previous movie.
More gritty than Sword of Sherwood Forest, this tale of how Robin de Courtenay came to be “Robin Hood” is a great mix of action and humour that can be enjoyed by all of the family…as can one of the special features which I was delighted to see once again: Children’s Film Foundation film Robin Hood Junior (1975), starring Keith Chegwin. I loved that as a kid.
Both movies look superb and the special features across both discs will keep you entertained for a long time.
Proper “Sunday afternoon viewing” for everyone to enjoy.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST
- High Definition remaster
- Original mono audio
- Audio commentary with writers and film experts Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman (2022)
- Interview with Terence Fisher (1967, 76 mins): the legendary director reflects on his work with Hammer in this rare archival audio recording
- The BEHP Interview with Sidney Cole(1987, 80 mins): career-spanning audio interview, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring the celebrated editor, writer and producer in conversation with Alan Lawson, Arthur Graham, and Rodney Giesler
- Play It Again: Richard Greene (1981, 23 mins): film and television’s celebrated Robin Hood chats with Tony Bilbow about his favourite silver-screen moments
- Merry Memories (2022, 4 mins): actor Dennis Lotis fondly recalls his time making the film
- All in a Quiver (2022, 7 mins): continuity supervisor Pauline Wise remembers her big break at Hammer
- Riding Through the Glen (2022, 29 mins): Jonathan Rigby, author of English Gothic: A Century of Horror Cinema 1897–2015, examines the production of Hammer’s second Robin Hood adventure, and considers its enduring appeal
- A Hero’s Fanfare (2022, 23 mins): appreciation of Alun Hoddinott’s score by David Huckvale, author of Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde
- Isolated music & effects track
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
- New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- UK premiere on Blu-ray
A CHALLENGE TO ROBIN HOOD
- High Definition remaster
- Original mono audio
- Audio commentary with film historians Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby (2022)
- The John Player Lecture: The Hammer Forum (1971, 61 mins): onstage discussion chaired by John Russell Taylor, with contributions from noted Hammer luminaries Michael Carreras, Peter Cushing, Terence Fisher, James Needs, Anthony Nelson-Keys, and Jimmy Sangster
- The BEHP Interview with C M Pennington-Richards (1990, 96 mins): archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring the veteran cinematographer and director in conversation with Alan Lawson and Colin Moffat
- An Excuse for Action (2022, 12 mins): actor John Gugolka remembers making the film at Pinewood and on location
- Sherwood on Screen (2022, 25 mins): author and critic Kim Newman surveys the many cinematic portrayals of the world-famous English outlaw
- Songs from the Hood (2022, 12 mins): appreciation of Gary Hughes’ score by David Huckvale, author of Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde
- Robin Hood Junior (1975, 61 mins): Children’s Film Foundation adventure yarn, starring actor and television presenter Keith Chegwin as the young outlaw
- Audio commentary with film historian Vic Pratt on Robin Hood Junior (2022)
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
- New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- World premiere on Blu-ray
- Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Frank Collins, an article on Richard Greene, archival materials, contemporary reviews, and film credits
- Limited edition exclusive poster
- Limited edition of 5,000 copies for the UK
Release date: 12 September 2022.
