Robin Hood Junior

I'm surprised to see another reviewer saying that this Children's Film Foundation production hasn't aged well, because I found it one of the better ones I've watched. The irrepressible Keith Chegwin is a natural fit for playing a youthful version of Robin Hood and Allington Castle in Kent is a wonderful setting for the action-packed adventures. This plays out with a couple of fun rescue missions with the usual surreal slapstick hijinks inbetween, featuring the usual scenes of dim-witted guards being outwitted by their youthful opponents. There are some good stunts too and the chance to see familiar British TV stars like Andrew Sachs, Leonard Fenton and Sydney Bromley do their bit; in addition, Maurice Kaufmann is a hammy delight as the villain of the hour.

I usually like Childrens Film Foundation Films but this one was not very good at all and it has not aged well. CFF films usually have a timeless charm which means that they never get old but there's not a lot of charm in this one.

Too many scenes with the kids running about mad making a lot of noise, it would have appealed to children way back in 1975 but not now.

The CFF tradition of at least one baddie getting soaked was present here but we had to wait until close to the end.

CFF fans have to watch it for the sake of completeness but it is one of the less better efforts. The adult actors must have been embarrassed about appearing in it later on.