Richard Greene Rides Again as Robin Hood

Richard Greene as Robin Hood.

Sandwiched between The Men of Sherwood Forest (1954) and A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967), Hammer Films produced Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960). This action opus about the legendary English outlaw stands out for one big reason: It stars Richard Greene, famous for playing the title role in The Adventures of Robin Hood TV series. As all Robin Hood fans know, that's the one where he's "riding through glen with his band of men."

One might think that Sword of Sherwood Forest is a big screen continuation of the TV series that ran from 1955-59. However, that's not the case in terms of the storyline and the cast (with the exception of Greene and some minor players). The film features veteran actors in most of the major roles: Nigel Green (Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts) as Little John, Niall MacGinnis (Night of the Demon) as Friar Tuck, and Hammer regular Peter Cushing as the Sheriff of Nottingham. 

Peter Cushing as the Sheriff.

Screenwriter Alan Hackney wisely dispenses with the typical Robin Hood origin story. His tale has the Sheriff of Nottingham collaborating with the greedy Earl of Newark (Richard Pasco) to steal land by manipulating the court system. Maid Marian, who is the Sheriff's niece in this version, gets wind of their scheme. When her uncle won't change his evil ways, she seeks help from the Chancellor of England, who is visiting the area in his other capacity as Archbishop of Canterbury. 

Meanwhile, Robin is trying to figure out why the Sheriff killed an unknown traveler. Along the way, he happens on Marian, who has just bathed in a lake (it's a Hammer film, after all). Despite her feeble protests, there is an instant attraction between the two (although Robin is almost twice her age). But before they can get together, the Earl of Newark must be stopped before he can assassinate the Chancellor.

Hammer's most renowned director, Terrence Fisher, keeps Sword of Sherwood Forest moving briskly through its 80-minute running time. There are a plethora of outdoor scenes, perhaps in an attempt to keep production costs down. Contemporary reviews call it colorful, but, unfortunately, the print used for Mill Creek's Blu-ray disc (part of the Hammer Ultimate Collection) is a muted one. 

Sarah Branch as Marian.

Greene still has the required panache to play Robin, but, at age 41, he lacks the physicality required for the role (it's easy to spot his stunt double). Chemistry is definitely lacking between his Robin and Sarah Branch's Marian. The former model had little prior acing experience at the time and, though she tries, she seems miscast as a spunky heroine.

Peter Cushing and Richard Pasco excel as the villains. The problem is that, in a movie this short, there's only room for one villain. As a result, Cushing's Sheriff of Nottingham gets nudged into the background all too often. It's a shame to waste an actor of Cushing's caliber.

Finally, it's always fun to see who pops in British films of the 1960s. In uncredited roles, look for the following:  Desmond Llewelyn (Q in many Bond films) as the "wounded fugitive" at the beginning; Derren Nesbitt (Von Hapen in Where Eagles Dare) as Martin, one of the merry men; and Oliver Reed as Newark's henchman. I am convinced that Oliver Reed was dubbed, even though some sources contradict that claim.

How You Can Celebrate National Classic Movie Day

We love classic cinema throughout the year, but Saturday, May 16th, is a special opportunity to share that love with others. It's the 12th annual National Classic Movie Day! Here are 12 ways that you can celebrate this wonderful day:

Host a Watch Party: Gather friends or family to watch a favorite classic film. You can make it special by creating a "theatrical" atmosphere with dim lighting, cozy seating, and classic snacks like buttered popcorn and candy. You could even encourage guests to dress in "red-carpet best" or as their favorite classic movie character (I'd opt for Robin Hood!).

Introduce a Friend or Relative to a Favorite Classic Film: Share your passion by introducing someone to an iconic film from Hollywood's Golden Age. I enjoy showing kids The Court Jester and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), both of which are always hits.

Share on Social Media: Use the hashtag #NationalClassicMovieDay to post your favorite movie lines, memorable posters, or lists of must-watch films.

Join a Blogathon: Many classic film enthusiasts and bloggers participate in themed "blogathons," where they write about their top picks. I hosted a 5 Movies on an Island blogathon for the second National Classic Movie Day and it's still one of my most popular classic movie events.

Research Film History: Spend time learning about great filmmakers like Billy Wilder or Anthony Mann or explore the evolution of various genres like "screwball comedy" and "film noir."

Visit a Museum or Theatre: Spend the day at an institution like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures or catch a classic screening at a historic theater or a local drive-in. And don't forget that many wonderful movie star museums are not located in Hollywood, such as the Jimmy Stewart Museum (Pennsylvania), Ava Gardner Museum (North Carolina), or Judy Garland Museum (Minnesota).

Explore Filming Locations: If possible, visit sites where famous scenes were shot or take a studio backlot tour at major studios like Warner Bros. or Universal to see where the magic happened. Check out the blog Hometowns to Hollywood for movie-related locations in your state.

Build a Backyard Drive-In: This is a variation of the watch party, but even more fun! If the weather allows, set up an outdoor screening using a portable projector and a white sheet. For families, you can have children decorate cardboard boxes as "cars" to create a personalized, at-home drive-in experience.

Host a Trivia Night: Test your knowledge (and your friends') with trivia questions about classic films, actors, and behind-the-scenes facts. Hey, I still have my Silver Screen Edition cards for Trivial Pursuit!

Create Movie-Themed Meals or Treats: Pair your screening with food inspired by the film, such as Italian dishes for an Italian classic or vintage-style snacks found at historic theaters.

Start a Movie Bucket List: Use the day to commit to your film education by starting a "100 Classics" bucket list. You can find interactive scratch-off posters or dedicated Movie Night Journals to track your progress and write short reviews after each screening.

Play Interactive Movie Games: My favorite is Movie Charades. If you looking for difficult titles to give to an opposing team, try The Day of the Triffids or Hammer Films' Twins of Evil. Both are fondly remembered charade titles among my family and friends.