The Legend of Robin Hood (TV series)

The Legend of Robin Hood was a 1975 BBC television serial that told the story of the life of Robin Hood.

Plot
Robin has been raised as the son of John Hood, a groundskeeper, but learns that he is in fact the long lost son of the Earl of Huntingdon. He comes into conflict with a plot to replace King Richard I by his brother Prince John involving the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisbourne.

Broadcast
The serial was broadcast by the BBC in the Sunday "tea time slot". The serial was also broadcast by PBS in the United States, alongside other BBC period dramas such as The Forsyte Saga and Elizabeth R.

Cast

 * Martin Potter as Robin Hood
 * Diane Keen as Lady Marion
 * John Abineri as Sir Kenneth Neston
 * William Marlowe as Sir Guy of Gisbourne
 * Paul Darrow as Sheriff of Nottingham
 * Michael-John Jackson as King Richard
 * David Dixon as Prince John

Reception
Clive James praised The Legend of Robin Hood in The Observer, describing it as "a promising series. Neatly written, well acted, finely dressed and softly filmed like Akenfield."

Controversy
Mary Whitehouse and the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association attacked The Legend of Robin Hood, saying the program displayed "extreme violence and sadism" and was not suitable for children. The BBC defended the show by stating that it had been approved by senior BBC executives, and had also been promoted as a program for parents and children to watch together. Discussing the controversy, television historian James Chapman stated: "Viewed today, The Legend of Robin Hood does not seem particularly violent, certainly not in comparison to Arthur of the Britons".