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The first full reviews for the programme began appearing on [[September 7]] [[2006]], after a preview of the opening episode had been shown at the press launch the previous evening. The website of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that: "The challenge for the new Robin Hood is to appeal to younger viewers while pulling in their parents as well. It will be no easy task. About as difficult, in fact, as simultaneously firing two arrows from the same bow, and both hitting the target. But as Robin showed in the opening episode, it can be done."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2006/09/first_review_robin_hood.html|title=First review: Robin Hood|first=John|last=Plunkett|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|date=[[2006-09-07]]|accessdate=2006-09-07}}</ref> In ''[[The Times]]'', critic [[Paul Hoggart]] backed the series to be a success: "Armstrong as the rather understated Robin Hood should still be moodily cheeky enough to find his way on to the bedroom walls of a few hundred thousand pubertal girls, and Lucy Griffiths as Marian is inevitably feisty. But the villains steal the show, with Richard Armitage’s Guy of Gisborne off-setting Keith Allen’s gags as the mocking, heavily sarcastic Sheriff. The audience including cast, crew and their friends cheered at the end but this remake should go down well with families at home, too."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23569-2348506,00.html|title=Old villains steal new show|first=Paul|last=Hoggart|author=Paul Hoggart|publisher=[[The Times]]|date=[[2006-09-07]]|accessdate=2006-09-07}}</ref>
The first full reviews for the programme began appearing on [[September 7]] [[2006]], after a preview of the opening episode had been shown at the press launch the previous evening. The website of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that: "The challenge for the new Robin Hood is to appeal to younger viewers while pulling in their parents as well. It will be no easy task. About as difficult, in fact, as simultaneously firing two arrows from the same bow, and both hitting the target. But as Robin showed in the opening episode, it can be done."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2006/09/first_review_robin_hood.html|title=First review: Robin Hood|first=John|last=Plunkett|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|date=[[2006-09-07]]|accessdate=2006-09-07}}</ref> In ''[[The Times]]'', critic [[Paul Hoggart]] backed the series to be a success: "Armstrong as the rather understated Robin Hood should still be moodily cheeky enough to find his way on to the bedroom walls of a few hundred thousand pubertal girls, and Lucy Griffiths as Marian is inevitably feisty. But the villains steal the show, with Richard Armitage’s Guy of Gisborne off-setting Keith Allen’s gags as the mocking, heavily sarcastic Sheriff. The audience including cast, crew and their friends cheered at the end but this remake should go down well with families at home, too."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23569-2348506,00.html|title=Old villains steal new show|first=Paul|last=Hoggart|author=Paul Hoggart|publisher=[[The Times]]|date=[[2006-09-07]]|accessdate=2006-09-07}}</ref>


The BBC began running longer trailers for the programme on Saturday [[September 16]] [[2006]], with the first being shown following the final episode of ''[[How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?]]'' on BBC One. Trailers were also shown in [[movie theatre|cinema]]s, and [[billboard]] advertisements were taken out by the BBC. The ''Radio Times'' devoted the cover of its [[7 October|7]]&ndash;[[13 October]] [[2006]] edition, published on [[3 October]], to the series, with a photo of Armstrong and Armitage in character.
The BBC began running longer trailers for the programme on Saturday [[September 16]] [[2006]], with the first being shown following the final episode of ''[[How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?]]'' on BBC One. Trailers were also shown in [[movie theatre|cinema]]s, and [[billboard]] advertisements were taken out by the BBC. The ''Radio Times'' devoted the cover of its 7&ndash;[[13 October]] [[2006]] edition, published on [[3 October]], to the series, with a photo of Armstrong and Armitage in character.


Several episodes of ''[[Dead Ringers (comedy)|Dead Ringers]]'' broadcast in [[February]] and [[March]] [[2007]] have [[Dead Ringers (comedy)#Robin Hood|mocked ''Robin Hood'']] for its allegedly anachronistic approach.
Several episodes of ''[[Dead Ringers (comedy)|Dead Ringers]]'' broadcast in February and March [[2007]] have [[Dead Ringers (comedy)#Robin Hood|mocked ''Robin Hood'']] for its allegedly anachronistic approach.


===Ratings===
===Ratings===
The opening episode won its timeslot in the unofficial overnight ratings, with an average viewing figure of 8.2 million, peaking at 8.5 million. This compared to an average of 7 million for its nearest opposition, ''[[Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway]]'' on [[ITV1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4801879.stm|title=Robin Hood debut watched by 8.2m|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=[[2006-10-08]]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> According to the [[Guardian Unlimited]] overnight ratings report the following Monday, this equated to a 37% share of the total viewing audience available for ''Robin Hood'' in its timeslot, as against 31.1% for ''Ant and Dec''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,,1891170,00.html|title=ITV all-of-a-quiver as Robin rides in|format=requires free registration|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|first=Julia|last=Day|date=[[2006-10-09]]|accessdate=2006-10-09}}</ref>
The opening episode won its timeslot in the unofficial overnight ratings, with an average viewing figure of 8.2 million, peaking at 8.5 million. This compared to an average of 7 million for its nearest opposition, ''[[Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway]]'' on [[ITV1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4801879.stm|title=Robin Hood debut watched by 8.2 m|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=[[2006-10-08]]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> According to the [[Guardian Unlimited]] overnight ratings report the following Monday, this equated to a 37% share of the total viewing audience available for ''Robin Hood'' in its timeslot, as against 31.1% for ''Ant and Dec''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,,1891170,00.html|title=ITV all-of-a-quiver as Robin rides in|format=requires free registration|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|first=Julia|last=Day|date=[[2006-10-09]]|accessdate=2006-10-09}}</ref>


The second episode of the series lost 1.5 million viewers compared to the debut, with an average of 6.7 million in the overnight figures and a 30% audience share. This put it second in its slot, behind ''[[The X-Factor]]'' on ITV1, which average 7.3 million and a 35% audience share.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,,1923600,00.html|title=Robin's audience swiped|format=requires free registration|first=Julia|last=Day|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|date=[[2006-10-16]]|accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref>
The second episode of the series lost 1.5 million viewers compared to the debut, with an average of 6.7 million in the overnight figures and a 30% audience share. This put it second in its slot, behind ''[[The X-Factor]]'' on ITV1, which average 7.3 million and a 35% audience share.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,,1923600,00.html|title=Robin's audience swiped|format=requires free registration|first=Julia|last=Day|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|date=[[2006-10-16]]|accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref>

Revision as of 13:42, 15 August 2007

Robin Hood
File:Hoodlogo.jpg
Created byDominic Minghella and Foz Allan, based on traditional legends
StarringJonas Armstrong
Lucy Griffiths
Keith Allen
Richard Armitage
Gordon Kennedy
Sam Troughton
Harry Lloyd
Joe Armstrong
William Beck
Anjali Jay
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes13
Production
ProducerTiger Aspect Productions
Running time45 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC One
BBC HD
ReleaseOctober 7 2006 –
Present (series two commissioned)

Robin Hood is a British television programme, produced by independent production company Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One, with co-funding from the BBC America cable television channel in the United States.[1] Based around the stories of legendary English folk hero Robin Hood, the programme started on October 7 2006.

Production

Comprising thirteen 45-minute episodes, Robin Hood was created by Dominic Minghella and Foz Allan, who serve as executive producers on the series, with Minghella the chief writer. Minghella was previously responsible for the successful ITV network comedy-drama series Doc Martin. Richard Burrell is the producer, and the other writers involved on the first series are Paul Cornell, Mark Wadlow, Debbie Oates, Kurti & Doyle and Joe Turner.[2]

The programme was shot in Hungary, standing in for 12th century England. Production was based in the town of Fót, near Budapest, at a facility leased by Tiger Aspect from the Hungarian film company Mafilm.[3] The first series had a reported budget of £8 million.[1] The programme was specifically designed to run in the same Saturday evening family drama slot as the successful revival of Doctor Who, filling the slot in Doctor Who's absence between series. Shot in the high definition format, the programme also airs on the BBC's BBC HD service.

Robin Hood was announced as a possible commission by BBC One Controller Peter Fincham in July 2005,[4] but not officially confirmed by Head of Drama Jane Tranter until October 24 that year.[5] On February 18 2006, the Daily Mirror newspaper announced that actor Jonas Armstrong had been cast in the lead role in the series.[6] This was confirmed by the BBC in a press release on April 3 2006, which announced that filming on the series had begun in Hungary and also announced further casting.[7]

On Thursday November 23 2006, the BBC confirmed that the programme had been renewed for a second series, to be shown in 2007.[8] Filming began in March 2007, and the series is due to be aired in October.[citation needed]

Tape theft

On Monday 28 August 2006, it was reported in various British tabloid newspapers that several master tapes for the programme had been stolen from the production base in Hungary, possibly by an extra working on the series. "Now TV executives are deciding whether to pay off the crooks or reshoot large chunks of the show. At worst the series, due to replace Dr Who on Saturday nights from October, could be shelved," reported the Daily Mirror.[9]

A BBC spokeswoman would not confirm reports of a £1m ransom being demanded for their safe return or that the tapes were the only copies of the footage. She added: "All reasonable steps are being taken to recover the tapes." The BBC further said that the series would still be shown as planned, despite the theft.[10]

Given the irony of a Robin Hood series falling victim to theft, and the fact that the crime came to light as the BBC was beginning to publicise the show in preparation for its launch, there was some suggestion in sections of the media that the story was actually a publicity stunt. Guardian Unlimited columnist Mark Borkowski, for example, wrote that: "OK, so I might be a cynical old publicist, but has anybody checked the crime scene on the set of Robin Hood in Hungary? ... expect a miracle in Budapest and don't try getting money on at the bookies for the lost footage turning up, saving the odd red face and gloating PR exec."[11]

The Controller of BBC One, Peter Fincham, denied that the story had been a publicity stunt at the programme's press launch in London on September 6. The cast and crew confirmed at the same launch that they had been forced to re-shoot some scenes in order to cover the material lost on the stolen tapes.[12]

The day after the press launch, the BBC News Online website reported that the tapes had been successfully recovered, and two men arrested for their theft.[3]

Characters

Main article: Robin Hood (2006 TV series) characters

Publicity and reception

File:Robinhoodpress.jpg
Some of the UK media coverage from the week leading up to the first episode's broadcast.

Media coverage

On Saturday July 8 2006, the BBC showed the first teaser trailer for the series — a shot of a flaming arrow flying into the BBC One logo in the corner of the screen as the Robin Hood logo and "Coming Soon" were displayed above. This teaser ran either side of the Doctor Who series finale on BBC One, and was shown on several other occasions on various BBC channels over the following weeks. A longer trailer with actual dialogue from many of the characters was previewed in the Video Room of the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre during the first week of August 2006, as part of the community's Robin Hood Festival.

The BBC's Radio Times listings magazine ran a short preview article for the series, as part of a feature showcasing the best of the autumn series television line-up, in its 2–8 September 2006 edition, published on August 29 2006, the day after the tape theft story was publicised in the press (see above). Wrote the magazine's correspondent Benji Wilson: "Why watch it? You can't beat a good ruckus — Armstrong and his merry co-stars all enrolled at a specially-commissioned 'Hood academy' before filming in Hungary, where they were drilled in horse riding, sword skills and archery."[13] The article was accompanied by a large publicity photo of Armstrong in costume.

The first full reviews for the programme began appearing on September 7 2006, after a preview of the opening episode had been shown at the press launch the previous evening. The website of The Guardian said that: "The challenge for the new Robin Hood is to appeal to younger viewers while pulling in their parents as well. It will be no easy task. About as difficult, in fact, as simultaneously firing two arrows from the same bow, and both hitting the target. But as Robin showed in the opening episode, it can be done."[14] In The Times, critic Paul Hoggart backed the series to be a success: "Armstrong as the rather understated Robin Hood should still be moodily cheeky enough to find his way on to the bedroom walls of a few hundred thousand pubertal girls, and Lucy Griffiths as Marian is inevitably feisty. But the villains steal the show, with Richard Armitage’s Guy of Gisborne off-setting Keith Allen’s gags as the mocking, heavily sarcastic Sheriff. The audience including cast, crew and their friends cheered at the end but this remake should go down well with families at home, too."[15]

The BBC began running longer trailers for the programme on Saturday September 16 2006, with the first being shown following the final episode of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? on BBC One. Trailers were also shown in cinemas, and billboard advertisements were taken out by the BBC. The Radio Times devoted the cover of its 7–13 October 2006 edition, published on 3 October, to the series, with a photo of Armstrong and Armitage in character.

Several episodes of Dead Ringers broadcast in February and March 2007 have mocked Robin Hood for its allegedly anachronistic approach.

Ratings

The opening episode won its timeslot in the unofficial overnight ratings, with an average viewing figure of 8.2 million, peaking at 8.5 million. This compared to an average of 7 million for its nearest opposition, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV1.[16] According to the Guardian Unlimited overnight ratings report the following Monday, this equated to a 37% share of the total viewing audience available for Robin Hood in its timeslot, as against 31.1% for Ant and Dec.[17]

The second episode of the series lost 1.5 million viewers compared to the debut, with an average of 6.7 million in the overnight figures and a 30% audience share. This put it second in its slot, behind The X-Factor on ITV1, which average 7.3 million and a 35% audience share.[18]

By the time of the second series' confirmation at the end of November, the programme had averaged an audience of 6.6 million viewers for its seven episodes then broadcast.[8]

Episode guide

# Title Writer Director Airdate

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Merchandise

File:RobinHoodDVDCover.jpg
The DVD cover for the US release of Season One.

DVD release

On November 13 2006 Volume One of three Robin Hood DVD sets was released, featuring the first five episodes. Volume Two was released on January 22 2007, followed by Volume Three on February 26 2007. Volume Two features episodes 6–9 and Volume Three features the final four episodes of the first series. A US release of the full Series One was announced on February 21, 2007, for release on June 5, 2007, following the end of the run on BBC America.[19] The Complete Series One box set was released in Australia on May 3, 2007 after only the first two episodes had aired there.

The Box Set is to be released in the UK later in 2007, though no official release date has been confirmed.[citation needed] The set will contain four episode commentaries by the cast and crew and four featurettes, one of which has already been released on the single volumes. The character profiles from the single volumes will also be included.[citation needed]

Soundtrack

Main article: Robin Hood (album)

On November 27 2006 a CD was released with a compilation of the musical soundtrack to the series. The music is composed by Andy Price, performed by the Danubia Symphony Orchestra and recorded at the Budapest Opera House.

The music used in the Robin Hood trailers is Alice by The Sisters of Mercy.

Overseas sales

As a co-producer on the series, BBC America owns the United States broadcast rights to the programme,[20] which debuted on the channel on Saturday, March 3, 2007. In Australia, the program began playing mid 2007 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's 7.30pm Sunday slot. Sales have also been agreed with broadcasters in Denmark, France, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Spain.[21]

Trivia

  • The bow Robin carries is not a typical English bow (longbows did not arrive until just before the Hundred Years War); it is a recurved bow, supposedly adopted from the Saracens he fought on Crusade. In reality it is an Hungarian hunting bow - the glues used in Saracen bows would have meant it would quickly fall apart under European weather conditions.
  • Keith Allen, who plays the Sheriff, lost one of his teeth while filming the final episode of Series 1.
  • Sam Troughton plays the character Much in this adaptation. His grandfather Patrick Troughton starred in the 1953 BBC Robin Hood series and was the first actor to play the role on television.

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Robin Hood returns to British TV". BBC News Online. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2006-09-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Robin Hood". Tiger Aspect. Retrieved 2006-04-06.
  3. ^ a b "Stolen Robin Hood tapes recovered". BBC News Online. 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-09-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Thomas, Liz (2005-07-14). "Hood the new Who?". The Stage. Retrieved 2006-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Deans, Jason (2005-10-24). "BBC starts search for a new Robin Hood (subscription link)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2006-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Robertson, Cameron (2006-02-18). "ROBIN WHO? EXCLUSIVE — BBC picks unknown for £8m Hood series". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2006-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Robin Hood revealed". bbc.co.uk. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2006-07-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Robin returns for second series". BBC News Online. 2006-11-23. Retrieved 2006-11-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)"Robin Hood returns for second series in 2007". bbc.co.uk. 2006-11-23. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
  9. ^ Methven, Nicola (2006-08-28). "Robin Hood Kidnapped". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2006-08-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Tapes for BBC's Robin Hood stolen". BBC News Online. 2006-08-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "2006-08-28" ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Hungary for publicity?" (subscription link). Guardian Unlimited. 2006-08-30. Retrieved 2006-09-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Robin Hood overcomes theft drama". BBC News Online. 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-09-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Wilson, Benji (2006-09-02–2006-09-08). "Stories to Stay in For". Radio Times. 330 (4300). BBC Worldwide: 12. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Plunkett, John (2006-09-07). "First review: Robin Hood". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2006-09-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Hoggart, Paul (2006-09-07). "Old villains steal new show". The Times. Retrieved 2006-09-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  16. ^ "Robin Hood debut watched by 8.2 m". BBC News Online. 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2006-10-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Day, Julia (2006-10-09). "ITV all-of-a-quiver as Robin rides in" (requires free registration). Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2006-10-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Day, Julia (2006-10-16). "Robin's audience swiped" (requires free registration). Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2006-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Robin Hood - New BBC Show To Get DVD Launch As US Broadcast Run Finishes". www.tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  20. ^ Sheppard, Fergus (2006-10-09). "Merry men Ant and Dec bow to latest incarnation of Robin Hood". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2006-10-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Akyuz, Gün (2006-10-11). "BBC's Robin Hood rides into action". C21 Media. Retrieved 2006-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

References

External links

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