June 13th, 2009

If you have never watched The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men …

then allow me to highly recommend it

I learned about this nearly perfect film from Clement of the Glen, who has a blog devoted to the subject. Fortunately for me and all other Robin Hood zealots, it has been just re-released, now on DVD. It’s a refreshing breath of greenwood air!

The reason it’s so good is this: if you’re going to put Robin Hood in Medieval times, (click here to find out when he really lived) you better be able to pull it off. And this one does exactly that; it’s so realistic. You also better keep the wild fun of the Medieval legend! For instance, in the Errol Flynn film, can you imagine Robin making the Sheriff ride home backwards on his horse, wearing stag-horns? Well—no?

That’s exactly what Robin does in this film. He may be young for the role, but he pulls it off with command and charm and spunk. Plus they dressed him up correctly. No synthetic material for Richard Todd. Oh no—real, heavy linen-like cloth, dyed a leafy shade of green—a big, dirk-like knife (whittle)—besides the amazing fact that he actually wears a horn (!).

There’s also a lot of humor in the film. Be careful, Friar Tuck will catch you unawares and have you doubled up with laughter.

And don’t forget Maid Marian: (she’s spunky too!)

(Note: I have to admit, I like this Marian better than the Errol Flynn one. Partly because of costume.)

And if you get this DVD, beware: beware. You’ll be singing and humming the minstrel’s tunes about Robin Hood. Just to whet your appetite, I’ll spell out the opening (and closing) verses of the movie: (very appropriate by the way to have a minstrel start the story and end it, as the minstrels were the ones who kept the legend around)

Oh I’ll sing a song, a rollicky song,
As I stroll along my way …
With a hey derry down and a derry die doo
And a riddle dee diddle dee day.

On to the tale of Robin hood
And of his Merrie Men!
His like you are not like to see
In all this world, again—
His bow was long, his arm was strong
And his heart was good and true
Well did he fight
To gain the right
And so, I pray, may you …

{minstrel goes off whistling in the distance}