With the exception of ‘The Onedin Line’, very few had a good memorable theme tune (and that one not written specially for it, of course).
But that all changed when the aforementioned Richard Carpenter hit his stride with ’Robin of Sherwood’
A smash hit, it catapulted Clannad to the top of the pop charts and the TV series itself sold well around the world, introducing a whole new audience to the rather odd melding of Celtic myth and classic storytelling.
A smash hit, it catapulted Clannad to the top of the pop charts and the TV series itself sold well around the world, introducing a whole new audience to the rather odd melding of Celtic myth and classic storytelling.
It got Ray Winstone his big break too!
Next month’s theme: Anything But A PI
Next month’s theme: Anything But A PI
23 comments:
Ray Winstone's big break? I'm pretty sure "Scum" and "Minder" featured his talents before that?
Probably the best adaptation of Robin Hood ever....miles better than that recent BBC sherwood-in-the-Matrix abortion.
I used to really like it as a kid. The other thing it did was introduce a character from the East (that guy with two swords - forget his name) which was shamelessly ripped off as an idea by the 1991(?) movie which has Morgan Freeman cast as the noble Moor or whatever it was. Gods that were a terrible film and talking of soundtracks how long was Sir Bian deAdam's ditty at #1.
PS. My favourite "arrgh!" from "Prince of thieves" was the land back in England at Dover and Costner says they'll be feasting in his halls in Nottingham by nightfall. They achieve this by walking and part of the path involves Hadrian's Wall. Epic Fail!
How did English folklore become a 'Celtic myth'?
This anti-English age we live in is utterly weird. I'm glad my grandparents passed on before it became fashionable to abuse English identity.
We've got maybe two generations left before no one knows who any one was in these islands. You'll get your way soon enough so give it a rest for those of us who are still here - and still English enough to weep about our end.
Steve
How did English folklore become a 'Celtic myth'?
The Robin Hood myth/folk lore was the social & political clash between Norman and Saxon. Absolutely nothing to do with Celts.
Such TV and Film adaptations are way off the mark. Time our schools taught our youngsters this land's real and proper history again.
Eeek. Nostalgia overload. Thanks for the reminder of how much I loved Clannad (and still do sometimes).
@ NickM ..
I think the character to whom you refer was called "Nazir" or "Nasir" ..
Whilst on the subject of Robin Hood, for me, the funniest reference ever was when Del, Rodney & Uncle Albert were aboard a small boat & "lost" somewhere in the channel .. and Del decides to sing a "stirring" English song to buck them all up .. and then launches into the theme of the 1950's series, starring Richard Greene in the title role ..
Pure brilliance ...
Funny you should run that because I've a best TV series thingy coming up on Monday. Nostalgia?
'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' - a time machine in a theme tune.
The Clannad album 'Legend' is the complete collection of the music from this series. I used to have the tape as a kid.
I've got the Michael Praed series on DVD, but not the Jason Connery series, not a patch on his old man is Jason.
The theme tune from Robin of Sherwood was "The Hooded Man" by Clannad.
Their first real hit which got to number 5 in the charts was the theme from Harrys Game a series about the troubles in Ireland. This predated Robin of Sherwood by a year or two.
They also did the theme to The Last of the Mohicans - I will find you.
Their music is fabulous.
Was this the start of the tendency for all history to become Celtic? Seems to crop up all over, the recent Robin with Rusty, Xena of course, and lets not forget Alexander...
"Ray Winstone's big break? I'm pretty sure "Scum" and "Minder" featured his talents before that?"
It's his first in a TV leading role - 'Minder' was just a bit part.
"...miles better than that recent BBC sherwood-in-the-Matrix abortion."
Ah, but that one brought us Richard Armitage in black leather, so it can be forgiven! :)
"...which was shamelessly ripped off as an idea by the 1991(?) movie which has Morgan Freeman cast as the noble Moor .."
Yup, that one definitely was not the finest. Haven't seen the Russell Crowe version yet, though.
"How did English folklore become a 'Celtic myth'?"
Gawd knows. Perhaps the influence of Clannad?
"I think the character to whom you refer was called "Nazir" or "Nasir" .."
Yup!
"Funny you should run that because I've a best TV series thingy coming up on Monday. Nostalgia?"
Nostalgia is always popular! :)
"'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' - a time machine in a theme tune."
Yes, I used to love that one too.
"The Clannad album 'Legend' is the complete collection of the music from this series. I used to have the tape as a kid."
I've got it on CD & digital. Still play it...
"Their first real hit which got to number 5 in the charts was the theme from Harrys Game a series about the troubles in Ireland. "
Ahh, I loved that one too. Once saw the Vulcan introduced to that at an airshow - it was quickly drowned out, of course! But it was rather fitting...
"Was this the start of the tendency for all history to become Celtic? "
You know, I think it might have been...
The castle on the cover of the "Legend" album is Rochester (you can tell by the three square towers and one round one - the result of a falling out with King John).
Not very near Nottingham but never mind :) Nice to see what was my local castle on something other than tourist brochures.
Great album and a great series - Ray Winstone running round a Mediaeval Sherwood Forest in his Dr Martins brings it all back :)
"The castle on the cover of the "Legend" album is Rochester..."
That (and Alnwick) gets used a lot. It must be on a list of 'Photogenic Castles'... ;)
Slighty off topic.
I was at the last Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, a much better experience all round from Silverstone which is dull.
Anyway at lunch an air display took place. At one point in this a Vulcan cam overhead pretty low. The pilot then stood it on end directly above the circuit. Ths Noise!!! Loads of people were sleeping as you're there pretty early if you don't have a seat booked. Lots of people getting a massive fright! Spillages and the like.
Fabulous plane.
I had a major crush on Michael Praed, and was gutted when he left to play a Ruritanian prince in "Dynasty". Jason Connery just didn't cut the mustard.
Still think I prefer the theme from the original Adventures of Robin Hood..or even better, the Python send up, Dennis Moore!
"Fabulous plane."
One of my favourites at airshows. I'm so pleased they got it up in the air again.
Not written specially for "The Onedin Line"? Errm, quite. It is indeed correct in the strictest fashion that Aram Khachaturian did not write the overture to Spartacus for a 70's soap opera about a shipping company.
If only he'd known how it would have been used... ;)
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