Robin Hood (Disney)

Some childhood movies get old after you grow up but many of them take on new meaning and stay just as entertaining when you reach adulthood. Even though this movie is far from perfect, Disney's "Robin Hood" has a charm that is hard to outgrow. There were some great casting choices made and the filmmakers created a unique but fun interpretation of this classic legend. The characters are what I most enjoy. Ever since Walt Disney in the early 60's told his animation team to have fun in making "The Jungle Book", those same creative minds kept having fun with the studio's two subsequent films.

The opening credit sequence resembles the credits for "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" and for "The Aristocats". The opening sequence in "Robin Hood" however does a much better job in establishing the mood for the entire film. First of all, any Robin Hood movie has adventure and the opening shots with the storybook provide an adventurous atmosphere. You also have one of the best opening lines of this era of Disney animation: "You know, there's been a heap of legends and tall tales about Robin Hood. All different too. Well, we folks of the animal kingdom have our own version. It's the story of what really happened in Sherwood Forest." That line really adds credibility to this film adaptation for some reason. In any film, there must be rising action or drama and this movie fulfils that requirement. The archery tournament is upstaged in terms of drama and action by the jailbreak in the climax. The lack of sound and use of music at the start of the climax was a great choice. The story of Robin Hood is so well known that the filmmakers do away with establishing how Robin ended up in Sherwood Forest and instead focus on establishing a new incarnation of characters. This keeps both old and young viewers entertained. Because this is a kid's movie, it must be understood early on that Robin and Little John are not bad guys even though they rob from the rich. American history is full of people who broke laws in order to create better ones and that is why the story of Robin Hood is so appealing to a western audience. Instead of leading a revolution against those who usurped power however, Robin Hood and his men cause trouble until King Richard can return. I think Friar Tuck put it best with his funniest line of the movie: "Praise the Lord and pass the tax rebate!" The government's taxation without reason must be countered by Robin's schemes. Speaking of Tuck, Robin Hood's Merry Men consist of just two and a half men in this adaptation when you think about it. Friar Tuck remains in the town of Nottingham as Robin's man on the inside so that the distribution of Robin's plunder will look like charity from the church. Tuck also provides the other Merry Men with news such as about the archery tournament. This is part of the original legend but it is depicted with another staple of the Robin Hood legend: the romance between Robin and Maid Marian. Those in power organize the contest as a trap for the outlaw (leaving the Sherriff of Nottingham out of the loop in order to have the best chance of success) but Robin isn't lured by the golden arrow prize. Marian, also unaware of the trap, sees the tournament as a way for her and Robin to authenticate their childhood love for each other. With Marian offering a kiss to the winner, Robin will take the risk. His talent with a bow and arrow however allows Prince John to see past the disguise, leading to a harrowing but fun escape. Unlike past versions, Marian doesn't appear in the climax so we are led to believe that she is in Robin's hideout in Sherwood Forrest now that their love is known to their enemies. This forces Prince John to tax "the heart and soul" of out the people seeing as how he can't exploit the relationship between Robin and Marian. Among other European actors in this movie, the one that best maintains that important tie to the English origins of the story is future Stratford Shakespearean actor Brian Bedford as the voice of Robin Hood himself. With each subsequent film adaptation of the character Robin Hood, they get slightly less impressive each time. All incarnations are good but after the quintessential performance of Errol Flynn in 1938, Bedford's is my second favorite and all others fall behind them.

Secondly, concerning the opening sequence, you have a catchy tune that is composed and whistled by country songwriter and singer Roger Miller. That, more than anything, establishes a unique atmosphere for the movie. The Disney studio has always been known for Americanizing classic stories. But this time, a more specific American style is incorporated instead of a general one: an old western style. In like manner, the Disney studio would later in the 90's create another combination between Greek Mythology and gospel music in "Hercules". Even though the visual design of the movie is modeled after an English storybook, the music and a few of the voices in the movie generate a Wild West vibe as well. Come to think of it, the legend of Robin Hood does have some resemblances to stories of lawmen and bandits from the American West. "Oo De Lally" furthers this mood with lyrics that include "scheming sheriff and his posse". Towards the end of the movie, another Roger Miller song "Not In Nottingham" reprises this feeling. One might compare the jailbreak scene at the castle to sneaking into a fort and the "Royal Rock Pile" gag at the end of the movie seems like a place where bad guys would end up in a western movie if they were not killed. As mentioned, many of the actors cast for this movie sound as if they belong in a sleepy desert town with tumbleweeds goin' down the street, none more so than Pat Buttram. He is the voice of the Sherriff of Nottingham and provided his voice for a total of six Disney-produced films. This is his greatest character in my opinion. Even though the Sherriff is villainous, he is also entertaining. Other characters that are westernized in the audible sense include Friar Tuck, Nutsy and Trigger.

The opening sequence also introduces the film as a Disney animated comedy. If you put aside the Western allusions, there are other American characteristics in "Robin Hood". The main character is given the nickname "Rob" just like other Disney animated stars had nicknames given to them such as Pinoke or Baggy. One part of the script that I like is that the plotline with Skippy's birthday present smoothly leads to the introduction of Maid Marian and Lady Cluck. The relationship between Robin and Marian develops somewhat fast in the movie but it features real life issues and origins. They are referred to as childhood sweethearts and this is appealing. Their years away from each other causes their love to bloom but some realistic obstacles stand in the way of their reunion. There is the class distinction and also Robin as a man on the run can't provide for Marian. The calamities that ensue make these impediments seem insignificant. It seems like any two people in real life can never afford to get married but they make it work anyways. Even if you missed the opening credits, the use anthropomorphic animals would make it obvious that this is the old Disney movie. Ken Anderson, who created the story, wanted to avoid animal stereotypes for the characters but this went against what director Wolfgang Reitherman had in mind. It apparently broke Anderson's heart. I would have to side with the director however because the stereotypes made for a more entertaining experience. The character of Little John for example is not only the most American character in the movie but Phil Harris' voice and the fact that the character is a bear reprise the kind of Disney fun we had watching Baloo. Harris' voice coming out of a cat in the previous Disney film didn't work so I am glad the studio ended Harris' vocal contribution to the studio the way they did. The filmmakers do create some differentiation between Baloo and Little John because the latter character is a brown bear instead of a sloth bear. As fun as Little John is, my favorite character in "Robin Hood" also represents the best casting decision for the whole movie. Two-time Oscar-winning actor Sir Peter Ustinov, who would later become a diplomat, provides the voice of Prince John and the results are memorable. This character is the source of the best comedy in the movie and he is designed as such. King Richard's crown is too big for Prince John's head as are the robes the character wears throughout the film. When Prince John is sitting in a throne, the chair is also too big. Finally, you have what Prince John is known for most in this version: sucking his thumb. Animator Ollie Johnston got inspiration from his son for this gag. As funny as the villains are, they must also be a threat to our heroes. If you heard Ustinov's voice by itself, you wouldn't guess that his character is comedic so there is some great contrast created. He also provides the voice of King Richard at the end of the movie. He really sells the humor of the phrase "outlaw for an in-law". The chemistry between Prince John and Sir Hiss is also special. In "The Jungle Book", you have a great scene between Shere Khan & Kaa and in "Robin Hood"; we have another "carnivore vs. serpent" scenario. As with the action in the movie, the comedy scenes between Prince John and Hiss get funnier as the story progresses, reaching a pinnacle with the sleeping scene. The way Prince John rubs his feet together while he sleeps came from animator Frank Thomas' son. I almost pee my pants when Robin takes Prince John's thumb out of his mouth as he steals the last moneybag. This movie has too many funny moments to go through all of them. I will say that I enjoy how Prince John likes the nickname PJ so much that he exclaims, "Hiss, put it on my luggage." Hiss' mode of transportation & corresponding sound effect is hilarious and I also like the puppet show mocking Prince John & Hiss. We get some great moments courtesy of Lady Cluck such as "I'm your lady in waiting. I'm waiting" and the football reference that kicks off with: "Seize the fat one!" Clucky also uses the golden arrow as a weapon in the fight at the archery tournament and that is funny. Two other funny characters I have already mentioned are Trigger and Nutsy, both of whom have fitting names. I always laugh at the line "One o'clock and all's well" (I would like to spell it phonetically as spoken in the movie but then you wouldn't be able to understand it). The movie's final gag is quite perfect too.

Six members of Disney's Nine Old Men worked on this film. Frank and Ollie were two of them and director Wolfgang Reitherman is also part of that group. From 1961 to 1977, Reitherman would direct or co-direct every animated Disney film including "Robin Hood". He was notorious for borrowing animation from previous films. In this movie, animation was copied from "The Jungle Book", "The Aristocats" and even "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" because of a small budget. Using animation from the latter film did cross a line with some at the studio at the time. The filmmakers also reused animation original to this film. That, among other minor reasons, is why I rate this movie with only four out of five stars. Unfortunatly, the film has lost appeal with some of today's critics but this critic still likes "Robin Hood". It is my favorite film from 1973 even though I favour it over "Charlotte's Web" only by the narrowest of margins. The song "Love" was nominated at the Oscars and the film was one of the top ten highest grossing films of that year by the way. The unique style and characters in this show are its biggest selling points. I am glad I had this movie growing up instead of "The Aristocats".

4 Stars