Movie Info
Movie Name: Robin Hood
Studio: Walt Disney Productions
Genre(s): Animated/Action/Adventure/Musical/Family
Release Date(s): November 8, 1973
MPAA Rating: G
I predict Disney can do better
Robin Hood and his friend Little John have their hands full. King Richard has left Nottingham in the charge of his brother Prince John as he wages a crusade. Under John’s rule with the help of the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, the people of Nottingham have suffered while John lives a life of luxury. Also caught up in John’s web is Maid Marian who Robin has pined for with all his heart, and Robin and Little John must find a way to save her as they save the poor from the iron fist of Prince John and his men.
Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Robin Hood is a Disney action-adventure family film. The movie was Walt Disney’s twenty-first animated feature in its Walt Disney Animated Classic series and followed followed The Aristocats in 1970. It is an adaptation of the popular Robin Hood legends and met with average reviews. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song (“Love”).
This bird can shoot
Robin Hood was always one of those Disney films that didn’t have much fanfare attached to it. Disney would pop out Robin Hood as almost an afterthought when opposed to releasing big movies like Pinocchio, Snow White, or Cinderella. Robin Hood was the type of Disney film that would make TV air much sooner than other classic Disney films and there is a reason…it isn’t that good.
The original concept for Robin Hood sounds far more interesting than the movie that ended up being made. Disney was going to produce a film surrounding Reynard…the fox of legend from European fairytales. Unfortunately Reynard isn’t always the best role model and family friendly, and Disney played it safe by making a story out of the Robin Hood legend…which feels like it has been done to death.
Oh yes…I will destroy him!
The movie did bring a strong cast to voice the characters. Shakespearian stage actor Brian Bedford took the role of Robin Hood with Monica Evans as his Maid Marian. Disney go-to man Phil Harris provided the Little John voice (and a ringer for his Baloo character from The Jungle Book), but Peter Ustinov steals the show as both the thumbsucking Prince John and the regal King Richard. Another Disney favorite Paul Buttram voiced the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Friar Tuck and Sir Hiss were voiced by Andy Devine and Terry-Thomas. Singer Roger Miller provided some of the music as the wandering bard character Alan-a-Dale.
Goodbye…we’re not even good enough for a straight-to-video sequel
I just have never been into the art of Robin Hood. That whole style of art which began with One Hundred and One Dalmatians and stretched until around The Black Cauldron never did much for me…especially when compare it to Disney’s superior early work or Sleeping Beauty (which I’d argue is some of Disney’s best art…but unfortunately a weak story). The movie is aided by some simple and catchy tunes (including the great opening which is my go-to whistle tune).
Robin Hood is a movie that is forgettable but also extremely accessible. The movie moves quickly and with little controversy or challenges for younger viewers (an alternate ending was a bit darker and can be found on some versions of the film). If you have a pile of Disney films to choose from, stick with the classics and skip over Robin Hood. Robin Hood was followed by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 1977.
