Robin Hood - TV-PG
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: BBC America Cast: Jonas Armstrong, Keith Allen, Lucy Griffiths
Genre: Drama
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this British adventure drama includes lots of implied violence and torture. Although little of it is actually shown on screen, the characters make their intentions pretty clear, and the camera stays focused on the action until the very last second. (For example, when a bad guy threatens to cut out a villager's tongue if he refuses to divulge some valuable information, the last shot in the sequence features a soldier poised to jam scissors into the victim's mouth.) The nasty Sheriff of Nottingham also makes frequent use of the gallows in his main courtyard -- viewers can see victims' feet twitching and dangling. While Robin Hood's personal reluctance to harm anyone makes him admirable, the casual violence of the Middle Ages can be rather disconcerting.
Families can talk about law and order. The show's central theme is Robin Hood's decision to become an outlaw rather than support the Sheriff of Nottingham's routine exploitation of the struggling peasants. Is Robin's basic rob-from-the-rich-give-to-the-poor strategy just? When is it OK to take the law into your own hands? Is crime ever defensible? What's the best response to a corrupt government? Also, how does this version of the Robin Hood tale compare to others you've seen? Do you think it's more or less accurate? Why?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Will Wade
After five hard years of fighting in the Crusades, Robin of Locksley returns home to England wanting little more than a warm bath and a good meal in the comfort of his own manor. Instead, he discovers that the citizens of his village are starving and terrified thanks to the brutal regime of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, who cloaks his tyranny under the guise of maintaining order.
In this modern update of the ROBIN HOOD legend, Robin (Jonas Armstrong) quickly runs afoul of the Sheriff (Keith Allen). When several hungry Locksley villagers are sentenced to death for stealing food, Robin must decide whether to support the Sheriff's cruel reign or fight back. For Robin, the choice is a simple one, but it brands the young noble an outlaw. Along with his dedicated manservant Much (Sam Troughton) and a few trusted allies, he takes refuge in the wild Sherwood Forest to plan a rebellion.
It's clear that Robin's years at war have had a profound influence on him. Certainly, he has become an amazing marksman with the bow and a fearsome swordsman, but he's also developed strong feelings about violence and oppression and would rather give up his land and his title than let the Sheriff oppress the villagers.
One of the show's faults is that it sometimes seems a little short on action and a bit too preachy. There are many scenes in which Robin explains his theories of social justice and agrarian economics, occasionally with a few more details than necessary. And many of the other characters debate whether the long-absent king would approve of Robin's actions because he's trying to take care of the peasants or condemn the bandit for undermining the fundamental notions of law and order.
Meanwhile, despite his combat skills, Robin is reluctant to hurt anyone, even the Sheriff. As a result, many of the fights in Robin Hood seem oddly one-sided, pitting a man who won't kill against nameless, flunky soldiers whom any viewer can tell are destined to lose their battle. Pairing a brutish despot who endorses torture and wanton killing with a somewhat pacifistic hero who makes light of the entire conflict gives the show an odd tone. Though entertaining, the series seems uncertain about whether it's trying to be a serious action-adventure show or a lighthearted spoof of one.
Fans may also enjoy Highlander, which also features plenty of swordfights, or one of the many other takes on the Sherwood Forest legend, from the serious to the silly to the kid-friendly.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentNo sex scenes, and only modest flirting. It's tough to find time for love when one of the main characters lives in the woods. |
 |
|
||
ViolencePlenty of sword fights and great examples of precision archery, but little graphic violence. Robin makes a point of avoiding bloodshed whenever possible, but his nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingham, isn't above torturing innocent villagers (though none of it appears onscreen, the show makes it quite clear what's happening). Gallows victims' feet are shown dangling and twitching. |
 |
|
||
Language |
|
|
||
Message |
|
|
||
Social BehaviorThe name "Robin Hood" is synonymous with defying corrupt authority figures, and this version of the legend drives that message home harder than most. The title character is sometimes a bit preachy, but his message -- that government exists to serve its citizens rather than exploit them -- is one that should be heard. |
 |
|
||
Commercialism |
 |
|
||
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters often drink wine, but they rarely get drunk. |
 |
|
||
