Robin Hood: Season 1 (Blu-ray)

Spend some time in a different kind of hood! This 13-part series updates the original legend for a new generation with exhilarating action, adventure, wit and romance. The noble Robin of Locksley (Jonas Armstrong, Teachers, Ghost Squad) returns from the Crusades to find his people starving and brutalized under the oppressive rule of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen, Viva Blackpool, Trainspotting). You'll be enthralled as outrageous scams, disguises, tricks, ingenuity, breathtaking archery and incredible swordplay fight corrupt government and greedy officials. Feel the chemistry as Robin's infectious charm wins back the heart of an intelligent, feisty Marian (Lucy Griffiths, Sea of Souls, Sugar Rush). Fans of Doctor Who, Battlestar Gallactica or Rome will love the sharp scripts and striking settings of this "legendary" BBC production celebrating the common man's favorite hero. Jolly good fun for the whole family! As seen on BBC America.

Robin of Locksley returns home from defending King and country in the Holy Land, to find a corrupt and changed Nottingham. The ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham is now in charge, crippling the poor with greedy taxes and severely punishing them for stealing even a loaf of bread. The ever-gallant Robin and his faithful, if slightly unenthusiastic, manservant Much are determined to fight for the good of these hapless people. Aided by a gang of talented outlaws including Will Scarlett, the ingenious engineer who can construct anything from any material, just as long as it's wood; Little John, the man-mountain who can destroy all in his path, but is afraid of a trickling stream; and, as the series progresses, Jack, master of trickery and disguise - so much so that at first you don't realize she is in fact a woman. As each episode unites the gang against the Sheriff and his dastardly deeds, will they succeed in thwarting injustice to relieve the poverty and hunger of the good people of Locksley?

Will You Tolerate This? - Robin of Locksley heads home from the Crusades to find his people starving and brutalized under the tyrannical rule of the new Sheriff. He quickly discovers that the only way to reason with this Sheriff is with bow and arrow – even if it means sacrificing his title and his lands and consigning himself to life in the forest

Sheriff Got Your Tongue? - The humiliated Sheriff storms into Locksley village, threatening dreadful revenge until Robin Hood surrenders. Robin has no choice but to give himself up. But, with the forest outlaws on his side, all is not lost.

Who Shot the Sheriff? - Robin Hood gets the blame when a mysterious sniper murders innocent people in Nottingham. Desperate to stop the killings, Robin must form an unholy alliance with the Sheriff of Nottingham. But the Sheriff has his own agenda...

Parent Hood - Robin and his men discover an abandoned baby in Sherwood Forest, moments before the Sheriff kidnaps Roy. Roy is given a dilemma: kill Robin Hood or watch his mother hang at sunrise. Who Will Roy Save? - Who does the baby belong to? And can the Outlaws really be expected to storm Nottingham Castle on two hours’ sleep?

The Turk Flu - The Nottingham Fair arrives, bringing with it the lure of the silver arrow competition. But Robin must resist temptation until he has dealt with something more pressing: the Sheriff’s move to buy Saracen slave labour for his lethal mine. Will he put the mine out of business and get to Nottingham in time to win the prize? Or is there a different reward in the shape of a new member of the gang?

The Taxman Cometh - Robin and his gang are not fooled when they come across a farmer named Flaxton and his son on their way to Nottingham. To their delight they discover Flaxton is really a tax inspector, whose job it is to count the mountain of tax silver currently housed in Nottingham Castle Even better, with Flaxton as their cover, entry to the castle is easy. Perhaps too easy...

Brothers - A family reunion between Allan and his long-lost brother Tom turns sour when Tom and his crooked friends tag along with the gang. Tom proves to be far more trouble than he is worth, first trying to rob Marian’s house, and eventually getting himself caught by the Sheriff. Worse, Marian is in mortal danger from a murderous Gisborne. Robin must try to save Tom before helping Marian. Even if Robin can get to her in time, will she be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to prove her innocence?

Tattoo? What Tattoo? - King Richard’s birthday turns out to be a day of surprises for the gang. First Djaq is captured when they raid Gisborne’s party at Locksley Manor, then Robin unexpectedly discovers a terrible secret about Gisborne which sends him spiralling out of control. Without Robin as leader, the gang fails to rescue Djaq. They need Robin to choose between helping them save her, and seeking final retribution on his enemy Gisborne.

A Thing or Two about Loyalty - Castle scientist Lambert invents explosive “black powder”, but realises in the wrong hands it could be a lethal weapon. The Sheriff’s are the wrong hands. Lambert has hidden his secret ledger, but the Sheriff is going to torture him until he talks. Much volunteers to get himself arrested, get into the dungeons, and help Lambert escape. But the Sheriff throws a spanner in the works by appointing Much Earl of Bonchurch. Is it some sort of trap? And even if it is, with the lovely Eve to look after him, is Lord Much going to want to escape?

Peace Off! - When Robin saves an arsonist from burning Locksley Church he unleashes a series of events culminating in the discovery of a mysterious Saracen visitor at Nottingham Castle. The gang fears there is witchcraft at play, so Robin sets out to show them that they have nothing to fear. But there’s everything to fear in the true power of the forces converging on the Castle...

Dead Man Walking - A routine trip to Locksley to collect new weaponry descends into chaos when Robin and Little John witness a brutal tax collection, the capture of their bow-maker and worse – the arrest of Little John’s son. Little John tries to save his son but it is a futile gesture, and within seconds he too is carted off to the castle dungeons. But fate has a hand to play, and when Alice Little joins them in prison, estranged husband and wife are temporarily reunited. But while John and Alice try to work out what’s best for the future, the Sheriff cooks up a plan of his own, for a Festival of Pain – and they are the star acts...

The Return of the King - The glorious news spreads that King Richard is returning to England. For most, it hails a return to the good old days, but for Will and Allan it means a return to their lacklustre former lives. And for Robin and Marian, it means her impending marriage to Guy of Gisborne. Robin is desperate to find evidence convicting Gisborne of his crimes, while Marian sets out on one last mission as the Nightwatchman. But tragedy strikes and as the Sheriff and his men surround Robin and the gang it seems that Marian and Robin will be separated forever...

A Clue: No - Robin cannot come to terms with losing Marian. He refuses to help Edward in confronting the King, and abandons Much and the gang: his world has fallen apart. There is no point in being Robin Hood anymore. But all is not what it seems and the discovery of a terrible secret will spur Robin back into action and see the Sheriff and Gisborne defeated before the day is out...

Written by Dominic Minghella, Paul Cornell, Mark Wadlow, Debbie Oates, Richard Kurti, Bev Doyle, Joe Turner, Simon J. Ashford
Directed by John McKay, Richard Standeven, Declan O’Dwyer, Graeme Harper, Matthew Evans
Produced by Richard Burrell
Executive Produced by Foz Allan, Dominic Minghella, John Yorke

"It's Star Wars dropped down into the leafy dirt of Sherwood Forest ... it's zippy mindless fun, and Lucy Griffiths makes a sullen yet voluptuous Maid Marian." -People Magazine

"The world may not need another interpretation of the Robin Hood legend, but this one is tons of fun, with liberal doses of humor amid all the swashbuckling. Rising young hottie Jonas Armstrong has the title role..." -Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"In its new series Robin Hood, BBC AMERICA hits a bull’s-eye: a fresh take that makes the story seem something not seen before ... Robin Hood’s expert pacing and storytelling recalls the best of Sam Raimi’s Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. For adventure lovers, this series is a dream. This Robin Hood is so good, it will blot away memories of the 1991 Kevin Costner debacle Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. That’s about as close to a miracle as you’ll find on cable TV. Grade: A."- Boston Herald

"...so compelling, they've got me wanting to go medieval on something."- Las Vegas Review-Journal