The BBC has sold out to the U.S. market, simple as that. A prime example of the tripe the BBC is producing at the moment is Robin Hood. There has never been a take on Robin Hood that could cram such intense 
levels of vacuous, inaccurate, meaningless drivel into such a pointless exercise. The non-violent stance of Robin Hood is the stuff of the A-Team, this combined with truly stupid stunts and extremely poor fight choreography gets the BBC the award for the ‘most appalling Robin Hood ever conceived’. The clothes are often pseudo-modern in style with the most ridiculous excuse for Norman armour that I have ever seen. There is a Sarusan women wearing a combat jacket, Lord of the Rings style acrobatics such as deathslides on a bow and a sense of inflation in everything that only a dumbwitted American audience would suck up this shit. Maybe I am too harsh on the Amercians, TV in the UK is now almost the utter tripe it is in the US (but without the HBO), and Robin Hood has been getting the same old positive reviews pumped out as a standard for BBC trash programming (ie Torchwood and Dr Who). (Too many good BBC lunches for journos I think).
Did the makers of this program do any research? Did they just think ‘The yanks are already stupid we can make any drivel and it’ll sell’. I’m not saying that Robin Hood should be some serious look at the gritty reality of being a bandit in the 12th century (approx). Robin Hood is a romance that has changed over the years. Michael Praed arguably the best Robin Hood in ‘Robin of Sherwood‘ which is definitely the finest series about the ‘hooded man’ ever made, conveys a far deeper and interesting take on Robin. Exploring his pagan links with Hern the 
Hunter and as such draws a far more accurate version of Feudal England than has ever been portrayed in a Robin Hood themed series/film. Of course it was romanticised but it WAS NOT AMERICANISED.
The new Robin Hood series is an absolute disgrace pumping the viewing expectations of an American audience into our heritage, twisting a fine story into a non-violent pantomime, making a laughable tragedy of one of our most treasured heroes. Now he is some ‘emo‘ passifist wimp that makes me want to vomit. (why couldnt they do a story about Robin coming back from the Crusades?!!) Jonas Armstrong looks far too much like Steven Hendry for me to take him seriously as an actor, let alone as Robin Hood for gods sake.
THE BBC, YOU HAVE SOLD OUT. YOU PANDER TO THE AMERICAN MARKET AND CHARGE ME FOR THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING YOU BUTCHER OUR HERITAGE.
p.s. Keith Allen has allways been crap.
Tuesday, 20. November 2007
As an American, I would have to agree with you whole-heartedly! If there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s the white-washing of the Good Old Legends to fit American taste (and poor taste at that). Sadly to say (yes, I’ll say it of of my own countymen), most Americans will rather hypocritically fawn over something foreign and exotic to them, only to water it down as time goes on and ruin it by making a cheap and tawdry version that fits the desires of the masses (be it food, film, or literature)!
I also remember “Robin of Sherwood” with it’s connections between Robin and Hern, and enjoyed the one or two episodes I saw, and enjoyed them MUCH better than most of the utterly unimaginative crap that passes for good teleplay these days.
As a matter of fact, I’m going to get the series on DVD as soon as possible, as I never got to see all the episodes.
[ I also like a good banger sausage as well (nothing else like them!), and mourn the fact that I can't find them at my local grocery more often, commenting upon one of your other blogposts.]
Saturday, 7. June 2008
I too have to agree with your critique on the new BBC Robin Hood. I too am an American and have greatly fallen in love with the idea of Robin Hood. I’m not a fan of every Robin Hood film/series I just like the idea of him. I don’t really know what it is that holds such appeal. Maybe the idea of all those men living together in the forest. LOL! The best representations I’ve personally found of him have been on stage… very romantic.
What really gets on my nerves about this particular show is the lack of historical accuracy, which I hold in the utmost regard. Especially the costumes! I’ve never seem so many machine made costumes in a period piece. Polyester? Come on now! Also, women would never wear pants back then… women would almost never wear pants fifty years ago Marian! Another down fall which you’ve already mentioned are the shoddy fight scenes. I don’t know why I even watched the entire series. I found myself cringing uncontrollably time and time again hoping it’ll get better. It doesn’t.
I ordered this series on Netflix so no worries about my TV giving this tripe ratings. I am extremely excited about receiving Robin of Sherwood next from Netflix. Cheers to historical accuracy.
Thank you.
Monday, 9. June 2008
Thanks guys, I really find the BBC’s Robin Hood painful, and I’m glad you do too. Long live Robin of Sherwood, I still watch this fantastic series even though it is very dated. Much more English feel to it
Thursday, 31. July 2008
The movie makers film in a way they “think” Americans want them. All American’s aren’t uncultured and uneducated. I, as one, really enjoy a historically accurate film. Add a little romance, and it’s the perfect film for me. I’ve not seen either Robin Hood series, though I have seen many Robin Hood movies. Robin (or Robyn) as I call him, has always held a special interest for me and I really enjoy European films. Less dramatization and more “real life”. I look forward to getting DVDs on Robin of Sherwood.
Friday, 14. November 2008
I hate the new Robin Hood so much. What’s going on with all the terrible heavy handed modern politics? Is Robin Hood, an English icon, now a Taleban fighter? The Sheriff never seems too bad. Why do I want Robin to die in every episode?