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In one of Hammer Films’ more underwhelming genre efforts, Richard Greene stars as Robin Hood, Sword of Sherwood Forest. Robin discovers a conspiracy between the Sheriff of Nottingham (Peter Cushing) and a band of nobles who want to steal real estate from dead Crusaders and assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury (Jack Gwillim). But trust me: that description sounds far more exciting than the movie is.
Despite direction by reliable Hammer regular Terence Fisher, great scenery, and production values better than a low budget movie deserves, Sword of Sherwood Forest suffers from a lackadaisical script and uninspired casting choices. Even though Greene played Robin Hood on British television prior to this feature outing, he lacks charisma and star power and looks more like a glorified extra than a leading man. Other characters like Maid Marian (Sarah Branch), Little John (Nigel Green), and Friar Truck (Niall MacGinnis) are introduced as nonchalantly as they are performed — leaving no lasting impression upon the viewer.
Cushing, as expected, gives one of the better performances, though it certainly doesn’t rank among the actor’s finest efforts. Richard Pasco is good as the leader of the nobles looking to kill the Archbishop. Oliver Reed is by far the most electric performer, despite saying few words in the movie and receiving no screen credit. He plays a scowling henchman who always seems to be suppressing a lethal rage. He’s by far the most virile element in an otherwise snooze-inducing matinee movie.
With Vanda Godsell as a nasty nun and Dennis Lotis as Alan A’Dale, who provides a couple of short folk songs. Look for James Bond’s Q, Desmond Llewelyn, as a fugitive who dies under Robin’s care.