The tapes for the newest TV series of Robin Hood, made by the BBC, have been stolen and ransomed by Eastern European gangsters. The 13-part series was filmed in Hungary and each episode is 45 minutes long. It will fill the Saturday night slot of the highly successful new Dr Who series which has ended. The filming of the next Dr Who series is taking place.
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Gangsters demand £1m for BBC's Robin Hood tapes
By BEN FARMER
28th August 2006
The BBC's version of Robin Hood is being ransomed by thieves.
Eastern European gangsters have stolen master tapes of the BBC's new Robin Hood series and are holding the corporation to ransom.
Tapes of the expected blockbuster are believed to have been stolen by an extra while the £8 million series was being filmed in Hungary.
Criminals are now reportedly demanding a ransom of up to £1 million for their safe return. There are not believed to be any back-up tapes and unless the masters are returned, scenes would have to be reshot at great cost or the series could even be shelved.
Last night the BBC admitted it had been the victim of a burglary. In a statement issued jointly with the production company Tiger Aspect, it said: "Tiger Aspect has been the victim of a break-in in Hungary where Robin Hood is currently being filmed and some high definition tapes and other equipment have been stolen.
The drama's logo.
"The thefts are causing inconvenience and have resulted in a delay in finalising some of the episodes. Tiger Aspect is taking all reasonable steps to recover the tapes."
The high quality series was planned as a cornerstone of the BBC 's autumn Saturday night prime time schedule, filling the spot of the highly successful Dr Who.
Robin Hood is played by 25-year-old newcomer Jonas Armstrong, with Lucy Griffiths as Maid Marian. Robin's sworn enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham is played by Keith Allen.
For added realism the main cast were taught horse riding and archery.
Hungary had been chosen as a location because the woods outside the capital city of Budapest were thought to be a perfect stand in for Sherwood Forest. The shoot employed dozens of Hungarian extras.
The legend of Robin Hood has inspired a series of successful film and television dramatisations featuring stars from Errol Flynn to Sean Connery, RIchard Greene and Michael Praed.
dailymail.co.uk
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Gangsters demand £1m for BBC's Robin Hood tapes
By BEN FARMER
28th August 2006
The BBC's version of Robin Hood is being ransomed by thieves.
Eastern European gangsters have stolen master tapes of the BBC's new Robin Hood series and are holding the corporation to ransom.
Tapes of the expected blockbuster are believed to have been stolen by an extra while the £8 million series was being filmed in Hungary.
Criminals are now reportedly demanding a ransom of up to £1 million for their safe return. There are not believed to be any back-up tapes and unless the masters are returned, scenes would have to be reshot at great cost or the series could even be shelved.
Last night the BBC admitted it had been the victim of a burglary. In a statement issued jointly with the production company Tiger Aspect, it said: "Tiger Aspect has been the victim of a break-in in Hungary where Robin Hood is currently being filmed and some high definition tapes and other equipment have been stolen.
The drama's logo.
"The thefts are causing inconvenience and have resulted in a delay in finalising some of the episodes. Tiger Aspect is taking all reasonable steps to recover the tapes."
The high quality series was planned as a cornerstone of the BBC 's autumn Saturday night prime time schedule, filling the spot of the highly successful Dr Who.
Robin Hood is played by 25-year-old newcomer Jonas Armstrong, with Lucy Griffiths as Maid Marian. Robin's sworn enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham is played by Keith Allen.
For added realism the main cast were taught horse riding and archery.
Hungary had been chosen as a location because the woods outside the capital city of Budapest were thought to be a perfect stand in for Sherwood Forest. The shoot employed dozens of Hungarian extras.
The legend of Robin Hood has inspired a series of successful film and television dramatisations featuring stars from Errol Flynn to Sean Connery, RIchard Greene and Michael Praed.
dailymail.co.uk
