A new Robin Hood

[Huffy]

In the local newspaper there is a report about the BBC filming a new show about Robin Hood. It is being filmed in Budapest and stars Jonas Armstrong.
The bit that grates is in the press photograph with Jonas looking mean and moody he is holding a Mongolian style recurve.
I know the story is a legend but surely even a TV company knows about the English longbow.

Best wishes, Mark

Link to BBC page

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4871688.stm

[Barry C]

Every one knows Kevin Costner is the real Robin Hood. Who is the BBC trying to fool this time?

One more thing but serious this time. My History isn't good so forgive me if this sounds a bit stupid. People back then didn't have real tights did they? Surly they were all pre-elastic. So why and who started the trend of Robin wearing lingerie, sorry mens tights? What would people of that age really have worn? Mud and lice encrusted coarse weaved wool?

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Barry C

Every one knows Kevin Costner is the real Robin Hood. Who is the BBC trying to fool this time?

Complete with appalling accent

The Patrick Bergin Robin Hood movie brought out about the same time was far superior, but didn't have the big studio backing.

One more thing but serious this time. My History isn't good so forgive me if this sounds a bit stupid. People back then didn't have real tights did they? Surly they were all pre-elastic. So why and who started the trend of Robin wearing lingerie, sorry mens tights? What would people of that age really have worn? Mud and lice encrusted coarse weaved wool?

Well, if they did wear tights, they certainly were real tights in the sense of the word at the time.

If you're really interested I can ask my wife, who's forgotten more than I've ever known about historical costuming.

[Furface]

I'm not really au fait with the history of lingerie, but folk in medieval paintings do seem to wear leg-hugging "hose". Even our beloved GNAS archer has well-curved calves, suggestive that he was not wearing Baggy Trousers.

Back to the TV series, the Times reported that there would be no Friar Tuck, because he was a "figure of fun". So, no fun here then!

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Furface

Back to the TV series, the Times reported that there would be no Friar Tuck, because he was a "figure of fun". So, no fun here then!

No, just what is starting to sound like a crap series. Hungarian recurve? "Something cool that is both modern and medieval?" Robin in the Hoodie, anyone?

TV fantasy/historical shows these days seem to be either utterly awful or very good. I think this is veering towards the former.

[Tobytoolbag]

Originally Posted by Barry C

Every one knows Kevin Costner is the real Robin Hood. Who is the BBC trying to fool this time?

Sorry Barry; I have to disagree with you on this one - the real Robin Hood was Michael Praed in the HTV series...

And I suspect it's the HTV series the Beeb are trying to emulate - even down to the same early Saturday evening time slot - to grab ratings that they've lost with the woeful Doctor Who remake (despite the fact that they're hailing it as a success!)

[Cakemeister]

Surely the real R**** H*** was Errol Flynn, whose costume was all decked in Lincoln monochrome, reflecting the lack of availability of good colour dyes in medieval times?

[celticjedi]

Saw the pic in the local and although I thought the costume looked good, what's with the recurve bow? Although I'm pleased that jonas, like all the best archers is Irish ;-)

[Furface]

Originally Posted by Tobytoolbag

Sorry Barry; I have to disagree with you on this one - the real Robin Hood was Michael Praed in the HTV series...

And I suspect it's the HTV series the Beeb are trying to emulate - even down to the same early Saturday evening time slot - to grab ratings that they've lost with the woeful Doctor Who remake (despite the fact that they're hailing it as a success!)

I certainly have fond memories of the HTV series, despite it coinciding with new fatherhood, and hence no time to watch.
But your comment about Dr W (with which I disagree) could probably generate a whole thread in itself. Just to stir the pot, anything had to be better than the Pertwee/Davison/Baker(c)/McCoy attempts. Again, fond memories: archery at Iffley Road, then off to someone's room for tea, crumpets, swiss roll - and Dr W.

[Flandyman]

Say what you like about Costner but he got from Dover to Hadrians Wall and back to Nottingham in one day on foot after trouncing a few of the sheriffs men ! now thats stamina

Dr W - dangerous ground here - JP was always the top!