First broadcast: 1984
Stars: Michael Praed, Jason Connery, Ray Winstone and Clive Mantle
Writer: Andrew Flanaghan, Andrew McCulloch
The lowdown: This re-telling uses plenty of mysticism, magic, folklore and good old fighting to tell the story of forest outlaws fighting corrupt Normans. Michael Praed first takes on the lead role of “The Hooded Man”, with Jason Connery (son of Sean) later stepping into his shoes. The series has a Magnificent Seven feel with very carefully choreographed fight sequences and some interesting plot twists, including the shock discovery of a unique link between two of the merry men.
Memorable moments: Clannad music drifting through the house on Saturday evenings. Robin is chosen for his mission by Herne the forest god and Robin meets Little John on the riverbank for a spot of quaterstaff fighting.
Trivia: Not a single frame of the series was shot in Nottingham, but mainly in ancient forests near Bristol. Praed went to America to star in Dynasty after the second series and missed out on the huge celebrity Robin earned him in the UK. Praed now narrates many documentaries. Clannad were chosen by the cast who heard the music for Harry’s Game and urged the producer to use them. Neil Morrisey and Paul McGann were reportedly considered as potential Robins, before the programme’s makers chose Connery as Praed’s replacement.
