Sword of Sherwood Forest

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Sword of Sherwood Forest
Sword of Sherwood Forest film Theatrical release poster (1960).png
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Terence Fisher
Written by Alan Hackney
Produced bySidney Cole
Richard Greene
Michael Carreras
Starring Richard Greene
Sarah Branch
Peter Cushing
Niall MacGinnis
Nigel Green
Oliver Reed
Desmond Llewellyn
Cinematography Ken Hodges
Richard Bayley
Edited byJames Needs
Lee Doig
Music by Alun Hoddinott
John Hollingsworth
Stanley Black (songs)
Production
company
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • 26 December 1960 (1960-12-26)
(UK) [1]
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office1,229,879 admissions (France) [2]

Sword of Sherwood Forest is a 1960 British Technicolor/MegaScope adventure film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Richard Greene, Peter Cushing, Niall MacGinnis, Nigel Green and Sarah Branch. [3] Greene reprises the role of Robin Hood that he had played in The Adventures of Robin Hood television series from 1955 to 1959. The film was coproduced by Greene, Sidney Cole and Michael Carreras for Hammer Film Productions.

Contents

The film was shot in both England and Ireland, from 23 May 1960 until 8 July It was released in the UK on 26 Dec. 1960 and in the U.S. in January 1961. [4]

Plot

The Sheriff of Nottingham plans to confiscate the estate of the Lord of Bawtry, a nobleman who has died on a crusade. The archbishop of Canterbury, acting as regent or viceroy on behalf of King Richard the Lionheart (who is also on a crusade), speaks against the plan and the sheriff plots to eliminate him. Robin Hood is asked to kill the archbishop for the plotters, led by the Earl of Newark and Lord Melton, but when he realises who the intended target is, Robin Hood resolves to help the archbishop instead.

Maid Marian also wants to meet the archbishop so that she can grant freedom to the family of a man murdered by the sheriff's men. She also wishes to meet Robin again, whom she had believed to be a common outlaw before realising that he is on the side of good.

Cast

Apart from Greene, none of the original cast from The Adventures of Robin Hood appears in the film.

Production

While most Hammer Film Productions films of the period were filmed at the company's permanent home at Bray Studios, Sword of Sherwood Forest was produced at Ardmore Studios in Bray, and at County Wicklow in Ireland.

The film's music was composed by Alun Hoddinott, with songs by Stanley Black. [5]

Reception

In a contemporary review for The New York Times , critic Howard Thompson wrote: "It's business as usual, but hold on. Alan Hackney's script and Terence Fisher's direction keep the incidents jouncing ... a nicely tinted Sherwood Forest is as pretty as could be, and Sarah Branch is certainly the curviest Lady Marian we've ever seen. Mr. Greene is aptly limber, and Peter Cushing, Richard Pasco and an unidentified "Archbishop of Canterbury" are excellent". [6]

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Lush Irish landscapes, doing service for Nottinghamshire's medieval green belt, and the presence of two solitary actors, Richard Pasco and Jack Gwillim, fail to save this joyless romp. Pantomimic dialogue, a sprawling plot and a rouged and lipsticked Prioress are but three of the hazards common to this type of film; a needless flogging scene, and the flea-bitten costumes and performances of the small-part players, are more damaging and unpleasant elements in a tradition that remains specifically Hammer's." [7]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "To many, Richard Greene was the definitive Robin Hood, ushering in ITV in a cleverly cast (though cheaply made) television series with a remarkably catchy theme tune. This is the feature, co-produced by Greene for Hammer Films. Alan Wheatley makes way for Peter Cushing as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham, and the film is directed by Cushing's Hammer colleague, Terence Fisher. Technicolor adds some scale, but this is really a cheap and cheerful affair." [8]

British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "The big-screen version of a popular TV series makes a rather feeble addition to the legend, but the actors try hard." [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 188. ISBN   0-7864-0034-X.
  2. ↑ Box office information for Terence Fisher films in France at Box office Story
  3. ↑ "Sword of Sherwood Forest". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 190. ISBN   0-7864-0034-X.
  5. ↑ "Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)". Archived from the original on 29 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Howard (26 January 1961). "Screen: 'Home Is the Hero' Opens at Fifth Avenue". The New York Times . p. 32.
  7. ↑ "Sword of Sherwood Forest". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 28 (324): 25. 1 January 1961. ProQuest   1305829439.
  8. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 902. ISBN   9780992936440.
  9. ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 985. ISBN   0586088946.
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