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Directed by Terence Fisher 
USA 1960

 

NOTE: Sword of Sherwood Forest is on Blu-ray as a part of Indicator 'Robin Hood at Hammer' boxset reviewed HERE

 

Hammer Films’ Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) is a big-screen adaptation of the popular television series, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-59); it stars the same dashing actor, Richard Greene, as the aristo man of the people, and is directed by Terence Fisher, a Hammer favorite who also helmed many of the series episodes. As in so many adaptations of the classic tale, we have the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham (a superb Peter Cushing), the lovely Maid Marian (a plush Sarah Branch), and a handful of terrific cross-the-pond actors: Niall MacGinnis, Richard Pasco, Jack Gwillim, Nigel Green, and even – in a tiny role – Oliver Reed.

***

Having portrayed Robin Hood on TV for five years, Richard Greene reprises the role in Hammer Films' Sword of Sherwood Forest. This time, Robin does a little undercover work to determine the wicked machinations of the Sheriff of Nottingham (played by Hammer stalwart Peter Cushing). Our Hero and the Merrie Men do their best to foil a plot to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury (Jack Gwillim). Sarah Branch co-stars as the obligatory Maid Marian. Sword of Sherwood Forest was released in the US by Columbia Pictures.

Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 26th, 1960

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Review: Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:19:56.833        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,243,785,288 bytes

Feature: 21,730,965,504 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2100 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2100 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated score:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2062 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2062 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Twilight Time

 

2.35:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,243,785,288 bytes

Feature: 21,730,965,504 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Isolated Score

• Trailer (01:53)


 Blu-ray Release Date: December 4th, 2019
 Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard sleeve

Chapters 24

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: Sword of Sherwood Forest is on Blu-ray as a part of Indicator 'Robin Hood at Hammer' boxset reviewed HERE

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Twilight Time bring the Hammer production of "Sword of Sherwood Forest" to Blu-ray. It is on single-layered disc but has the usual high bitrate. The Terence Fisher film was shot in Ireland and it should be noted that the cinematographer for this picture is Ken Hodges; the lensman for previous (and future) Robin Hood outings. Hodges worked on "The Adventures of Robin Hood" series from 1956-1960 and 1990's "Robin Hood: The Movie". The film is shot in 2.35:1 MegaScope Technicolor and Twilight Time's Blu-ray seems to be a decent transfer. The level of detail could be finer, though it is by no means blurry. The picture does seem to be on the brighter side, lacking deep or layered blacks. Colors however, look strong, with rich greens and deep reds. Contrast shows only mediocre black levels. This isn't too much of a disappointment, given the film's rather bright exposure, with a large number of exterior shots. It has some obvious Cinemascope mumps (horizontal squeeze).

Twilight Time give us the choice of watching the film in the original DTS-HD mono or with a DTS-HD isolated Music & Effects track. These options both sound decent. The sound here is a little flat, but of course that is to be expected. The score is the sole film composition of Alun Hoddinott from Wales. There are optional English subtitles on this Region Free Blu-ray.

The sole extra here is the film's trailer, unless you include the aforementioned option of watching the film with an isolated Music & Effects only track. There is also a booklet with an essay by Julie Kirgo.

The Hammer Studio production of Sword of Sherwood Forest, directed by Terence Fisher stars Peter Cushing and Oliver Reed in a small role. It has some of the studios wonderful charm although by no means anybody's career highlight, it is still a rather engaging telling of the Robin Hood legend, and worth owning for fans of Hammer, Cushing and completists. Twilight Time continue to impress with their varied Blu-ray output.

Colin Zavitz

 

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Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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