Every generation has its Robin Hood, and the creators of the newest incarnation of the legend have given the outlaw hero an appropriately modern spin.

Paradoxically, though, they've managed to do that by tying the story fairly closely to its historical era more than 800 years ago. So while Robin (Jonas Armstrong) and his mates speak a recognizably contemporary kind of English, their lives are well grounded in a feudal society where only the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham has the material trappings of the good life.

Of course, the extensive fight scenes, well-executed bow-and-arrow wizardry and a feisty Marian (Lucy Griffiths) don't hurt either.

The first season of the BBC series -- which aired in this country on BBC America and is now available on DVD -- has all the swashbuckling elements you'd expect from a Robin Hood story, along with a healthy dose of humor and a suitably evil Sheriff (Keith Allen, savoring every bit of wickedness). But there's a little more going on than just robbing the rich and giving to the poor.

As creator Dominic Minghella explains in a making-of featurette, by playing up the legend's historical context -- nobleman Robin has returned from the Crusades a changed man, eyes opened to a larger world -- the show is able to comment on present-day affairs as well. Robin has doubts about the holy war being waged in the Middle East but remains deeply committed to his king and country and has serious problems with those who aren't.

To their credit, Minghella and fellow executive producer Foz Allan don't overplay the allegory; the focus remains on Robin's crusade against injustice, aided, usually capably and sometimes uneasily, by the stoic Little John (Gordon Kennedy, who reveals himself to be quite funny in the extras) and his fellow outlaws in Sherwood Forest.

The making-of featurette on the DVD set, though a bit overlong, offers the most insight into both Minghella and Allan's creative process and the physical production, which took place in Hungary. There are also brief profiles of all the principal characters and pieces on the set design, costumes and fight training the actors underwent.

The two creators and several cast members also provide commentary on four episodes, but unfortunately they don't add a whole lot. You get a good sense of the cast's camaraderie, but the joking-around to commentary ratio is a little too high. Like the incident that begins Robin Hood's outlaw career, though, it's a forgivable offense.

EXTRAS: Commentary on four episodes, character profiles, featurettes "Making Of ...," "Hood Academy," "Costuming Hood," "Designing the Hood"
PRICE: $79.98