SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST

UK, 1060, 80 minutes, Colour.
Richard Greene, Sarah Branch, Peter Cushing, Richard Pascoe, Nigel Green, Jack Gwillam, Oliver Reed, Derryn Nesbitt.
Directed by Terence Fisher.

Richard Greene had starred on British television in one hundred and forty-three episodes of Robin Hood between 1955 and 1960. This film gave him the opportunity to be seen as Robin Hood on the big screen. He is matched by Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham and some interesting casting with British character actors like Nigel Green as Little John and Niall McGinnis? as Friar Tuck. Oliver Reed has a small role (but his voice was dubbed).

The plot is the usual material associated with Robin Hood stories, centring on the villainy of the Sheriff of Nottingham and the attraction of Maid Marian.

The film was directed by Terence Fisher who had pioneered the Hammer film classics of Dracula, The Revenge of Frankenstein and The Mummy in the late 50s. Hammer produced this film. Fisher was to go on during the 1960s to direct quite a number of the Hammer horror films.

1. Audience expectations of Robin Hood? So many films? A good one, better than usual?

2. The appeal of Robin Hood and his heritage, robbing, upholding rights? Norman- Saxon clashes? Life in the forest, Maid Marion, Friar Tuck and Robin's other assistants? The Sheriff?

3. The use of colour photography, locations, medieval sets, medieval and effective music?

4. Audience interest in the story of Robin Hood, his role in the forest, way of life, protest? The credibility of the encounter with Maid Marion and falling in love with her? The Sheriff and his social oppression, getting properties, working for Earls? The Earl of Newark, his assistant and their plans? The murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

5. The character of Robin Hood: conventional hero, spill with arrows, the Earl of Newark hiring him as an assassin, the encounter with Marion, the saying of the Archbishop? An attractive hero? Maid Marion and her contribution? Friar Tuck and his walk to the town and his intelligence system? The Sheriff as villain, his relationship with Marion, oppression, death? The Earl of Newark and his ambitions, ruthlessness, final fight to the death? His aide and his arrogance?

6. The minor characters of the towns, the forest soldiery, the initial victim and his message?

7. The special effects in the forest scenes, the battles, the court case, the falcon flying and shooting, the final sequences in the convent, the fighting?

8. Why do audiences respond so well? Heroic entertainment, quests, liberation? Courage and endurance?