Norwegian drama with english overdub, originally titled "Sigurd Dragonslayer" in Norwegian, a much better title by my thinking, this film has excellent historic quality for a kids', or even an adults' film, being that it comes from the land it depicts. It has stunning Norwegian scenery and great costume and sets. It would suit older kids, as it has some scarey and violent scenes. It is basically the story of one boy's coming of age and of his defeating the "dragons" of violence and mindless observance of custom and superstition in his culture, in favor of a wiser, kinder and more clear thinking perspective. This symbolizes Norway's coming out of the dark ages, as led by the intuitions of a youth. Sigurd's wig and the film's cover are rather silly (it is not a comedy), but the rest is quite educational and entertaining for adults as well as older kids.

I was so lucky to catch the series from episode one, on tv, at the age of 15, and was thus aligned and enlightened, as many others were, to the things that matter, and to how things should really work, and to what life is all about, the Greenwood, Herne, justice, freedom, friendship, love, valour and honour, and most importantly, life as it should be; natural, beautiful and free. This is more than just a show, this series founded the spiritual views of many, reminded us of our heritage, taught us who we are, and what that means. Robin is real, he is gritty, brave, kind, just, spiritual and free. He is the English hero now that he always was, and in my mind, and the minds of many, only Michael Praed can play him. Here is England in the days of Saxons and Normans, before it formed as a united country. The trees are bright and deciduous, and full of magic and lore. The outlaws sleep on the dirty ground and do not settle in one place, ever protected by the forest. "Stop! You fools! We'll never find them in the greenwood!" It is an old show though so it isn't sharp and pristine like a modern film, but that doesn't matter to me. The music by Clannad, is at times gorgeous and moving, at other times, suspenseful and tense, and perfect for every scene. It is a rare showcase of native English life and religion. I am heartliy saddened by the new imposter on English telly now. If you want to know about being a native of your own land, or are generally interested in English folklore and legend, which no doubt has paralells in European myth and legend, you can't miss our Robin of Sherwood, especially the first two episodes, which play like a film and explain the main story. I end with a quote by Robin said to our Norman opressor Guy of Gisbourne, "I'm not a serf. I'm a free man.", words to live by.

This is one of my very most favorite films. They are the characters, no one else. It is perfect in every way. The costume, the acting, the sets, the casting, the music. I get thoroughy enthralled every time, and weep every time. I cannot say enough good things about this film. I am thoroughly in love with it. It's enchanting, enrapturing, rich and beautiful, honest, thrilling, inspiring, heartbreaking, eternal...

One might find the female singer on this rare record to be somewhat of an ear-sore, but she is actually portraying fairytale witches with that grating, childish voice, and the male singer's deep smoothness more than makes up for it. The Brothers Grimm would have loved this one. The album title explains the topics at hand. The music itself is in a medieval style on early instruments. It makes for good listening, and would be even more so if you could understnad the language because the songs are mainly about the stories they tell. But even not getting the whole picture, one picks up on the myth and mystery in it. And there are very few places to find german mythological folk music. In fact this may be the only recording of some of these songs. But it also includes Scottish, Danish, English and Belgian songs, all sung in variants of German. My favorite track on it is "Twee Kuniges Kinner", a low german ballad.

1988 this came out, with the first single from it being "Flesh Under Skin"- "Back in the dark ages where love meant children and nothing was sacred except flesh, flesh under skin". This is a good record, well all except for their cover of the Beatles "Shout" at the end which is over the top. Good old fashioned unhindered rockin' with good beats, tunes and lyrics. Black clad, long black haired, voluptuous, gothy Maria Del Mar, man can she wail! Her and three frightful male bandmates put out rousing numbers such as "68 hours" about an affair with a married man, "Pacifist at Risk" about standing up and fighting for your views, and "Bam Bam" just a good guitar piece, heavy ones such as "Another Day", which takes on many varied touchy topics with vehemence, and thoughtful, gothy songs such as "Change My Mind" about the truth of worshiping teen idols, and "Meet My Match" a haunting love song with references to the witch burnings which seems to harken back to the depths of memory and lunge out in anger and tainted acceptance, tinged with revenge. Let's not forget one rockin' and talented Canadian band!

Here we have a German woman singing in English, songs about the old times in Northern Europe, largely about the Norse gods and goddesses. She sounds rough and real, nothing like Enya, and many of the songs would be suitable to play during a Viking raid, lots of low menacing, religious "Heya Heya Ho's" in it. I find it dark but ultimately positive, with such songs as the beautiful "Alva", where she compares her spritely little girl to an elven child, and the sorrowful "Your World In My Eyes", where she discusses the attrocities of man and states, "If this is humanity, then this is no place for me. I am not of your kind". "Wake Skadi" is a great thundering number which stirs the blood, about the snow giantess, patroness of skiing and journeying in the cold void. I do however have Enja the Celts right next to this album, and play them comfortably right after the other. It is thoughtful, and fills a gap in the music world for Norse culture in English.

This is the soundtrack to the British tv series Robin of Sherwood, inspiringly played by Clannad, Irish dreamy celtic group. But I don't think Irish Celtica when I listen to this! I think of the stories of our cherished English icon Robin Hood as portrayed in this my favorite and definitive version of his legend. I remember the excitement, the anticipation, the anger and fear, and the sheer ecstacy, but mostly the enchantment and spirituality of this vital part of English culture and heritage. The great love of Robin and Marion, the torn vengeful heart of Will Scarlet, the comradery of the men. If you knew and were moved by the show, the soundtrack will be a treasure for you.

Native Innu duo from Quebec playing their own blend of traditional native, french folk, pop rock, and country music, sung for the most part in their native language Innu, which is spoken by very few people today. The music can appeal to all, it is mainstream, earthy, very catchy, and upbeat. I think this is my favorite album by them because it contains the most energy and it has the great singles Tshinanu and Pakuakumit on it. Very talented musicians that put us in touch with the land, all Canadians who can feel the beat.

I was looking forward to seeing this film for months, what with the superb costuming and sets and the alternative music I grew up with and love, but I ended up looking at my clock every ten minuites, yawning and slouching further and further into my seat waiting for it to end. The film will probably appeal to a young audience still interested in the rock and roll excess lifestyle and still not wanting to face reality. It is indeed visually lavish, but even that offends me as it seems to suggest we should also disregard the suffering of the masses and be wastefull and overindulgent. I thought the film would have ended better with Marie's execution, to show the stark contrast between her world and the outside world, and to provide balance and a defined moral to the story. I didn't like Kirsten as Marie, as I thought she doesn't look like her, and I didn't feel I was learning about the historical figure, which I like historical films to do, educate. Kirsten has the physical features more of a fairy than the famous bouffanted french queen. I didn't enjoy the use of rock music either. The film is more of a costume party for us, than a historical story. ALso the dialogue is sometimes hard to hear, and we miss bits, including the last line of the film, spoken by the king.

I don't think a masqued ball would feel like a rave or a rock concert. I don't think people thought just like we do now back then. Things were different, they had very different expectations placed upon them, and different influences. I'm much more interested in real history.

Back in the early 90's when I was clubbing, a friend watched Saturday Night Fever and gave me a rave review of it. I was ignorant in denying it a chance, and carrying on the unfortunate bias against it. I watched it 10 years later and lamented. Kleo was right, it was us, it was a mirror of our scene just with slightly different music, and slightly different clothes! I know that feeling, I know that need to dance, I know the high of the dancer and music united, and we shared that same acceptance of all races and sexual preferences as we danced the night away together amidst flashing lights and pina colada fog. Disco was the precursor to house, and thence techno. It's obvious. So if you are or were a raver, you will learn something from this film and it's music, and see something of ourselves in it. I'm glad there is a film to preserve club culture, and when I see Travlota getting taken over by the vibe I'm right there in the moment. I love the cd, especially "You should be Dancin'", "Jive Talkin'", "Night Fever", "Stayin'Alive", "If I can't Have You" and "More Than a Woman". It gets me groovin', in a different way from Orbital or Spiral Tribe or Underworld, but groovin' still! And that's eternal!