"Maid Marian and Her Merry Men" (1989) TV series 1989-1994

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

16 November 1989 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The true story of Sherwood Forest is finally revealed: Robin was a cowardly tailor from Kensington, and Marian was the brains behind the Merry Men...

Plot Keywords:

History Error Corrected For Comic Effect | Anachronistic | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Howard Lew Lewis	...	Rabies (25 episodes, 1989-1994)
Mike Edmonds	...	Little Ron (25 episodes, 1989-1994)
Tony Robinson	...	The Sheriff / ... (25 episodes, 1989-1994)
Mark Billingham	...	Gary (25 episodes, 1989-1994)
David Lloyd	...	Graeme (25 episodes, 1989-1994)
Forbes Collins	...	King John / ... (24 episodes, 1989-1994)
Kate Lonergan	...	Marian (22 episodes, 1989-1994)
Wayne Morris	...	Robin of Kensington (22 episodes, 1989-1994)
Danny John-Jules	...	Barrington (22 episodes, 1989-1994)
Hilary Mason	...	Gladys (20 episodes, 1989-1994)
Ramsay Gilderdale	...	Guy of Gisborne / ... (17 episodes, 1990-1994)
Robin Chandler	...	Snooker (15 episodes, 1989-1994)

Runtime:

25 min (25 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Exmoor National Park, Devon, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

When Robin Hood wonders whether his life would ever be made into a movie, Rabies asks if he could be in it. The actor who played Rabies, Howard Lew Lewis, did in fact appear in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) as Hal.

Quotes:

Marian: [hanging in the dungeon] Help! Help!
[gives up]
Marian: Well, this is it I suppose. Oooh, how embarrassing to be put to death when your mother's staying! Why couldn't someone save me? Anyone'd do! As long as he was good looking, and a bit, you know, sulky, with a couple of day's stubble and a pair of really tight-
Robin: [bursts through the door] Don't worry! I, Robin of Kensington, will save you!
Marian: Oh, Blimey, not *you*! I'd rather stay up *here*, thanks!
Robin: But you were shouting for help!
Marian: No I *wasn't* !
Robin: You *were*!
Marian: I was not so!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 100 Greatest Kids TV Shows (2001) (TV)

The finest children's TV show of its generation

This series worked on just about every level - "Blackadder for kids" is an expression often used to sum it up, but that does it a disservice, suggesting it's some kind of imitation of another show. This really was wonderful in its own right, though - entertaining stories and performances delicately laced with some delicious satire and gags you can't believe they got away with, i.e. Robin's "I've never laid anything in my life!" when trying to sneak into the castle under the guise of being a carpet fitter. It's a crying shame they never made more than they did, but at the same time at least it never became stale. DVD release soon, please!