Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman
Written by Larry Clemmons, Ken Anderson, Vance Gerry, Frank Thomas, Eric Cleworth, Julius Svendsen, and David Michener. Based on the English legend of Robin Hood.
Premiered November 8, 1973
83minutes
Rated G
Synopsis
In 12th century England, King Richard the Lionheart is off fighting in the Crusades and has left his greedy younger brother Prince John (Peter Ustinov) in charge. While he taxes the poor residents of Nottingham--governed by the cruel Sheriff (Pat Buttram)--and Sherwood Forest, outlaw fox and skilled archer Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) and his best friend Little John (Phil Harris) rob from the rich to feed the poor. Prince John is reasonably frustrated and decides to hold an archery contest to trap Robin Hood and uses his ward Maid Marian (Monica Evans), Robin's childhood sweetheart, as bait.
Before We Begin
You know how there's that chick at school who always does her makeup, styles her hair, and wears cute clothes? And then one day she shows up to class with a bare face, a messy bun and yoga pants and you're like "Man...I'll bet she's going through some shit..." Well, Robin Hood is the Disney Animated Feature version of that.
Walt had been gone for seven years by the time Robin Hood came out and the Disney company was making most of their money from theme parks and their live action flicks. The animation department--which was once upon a time the heart and soul of the company--was the unattractive spinster nobody wanted to dance with. But out of tradition or guilt or something, they kept it going. Robin Hood? Sure! It's a classic story (or premise, rather) that everyone knows! But let's make the characters animals! That's fun and child friendly, right? Right! Yayyyyyyyyyyy!
Mötley Müsings
• Oh, this is going to be so relaxing!
• Ah...the book. I love the book.
• "You know there's been a heap of legends and tall tales about Robin Hood, all different too. Well, we folks in the animal kingdom have our own version. It's the story of what really happened at Sherwood Forest." Sure. Why not?
• Anyone remember "The Hamster Dance"? It's from this movie.
• Opening credits to pad this thing out. Reused animation that we haven't seen yet.
• "Take a look at your hat. That's not a candle on a cake."
• "Rob? That's a naughty word. Tsk, tsk, tsk. We never rob."
• Sir Hiss is basically Smithers. YESSSSSSSS.
• "This crown gives me a feeling of power! Power! Forgive me a cruel chuckle. Heh-heh-heh. Power."
• Our heroes in drag! Blue eye shadow! #1970s
• "Female bandits? What next?"
• This is pretty fucking ballsy. Robbing the
• Let's do this: King Henry II had five sons--William, Henry, Geoffrey, Richard, and Baby John. By the time Henry II kicked the bucket, his three eldest sons had as well leaving Richard the king. However, Richard disliked England and preferred to live in France (where his mommy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was from). So even though Richard was king, he decided he wanted to fight in the crusades and Eleanor was all "why don't you leave John in charge while you're away?" And he's like "Okay." John pretty much did what he wanted and tried to take over England, but when Richard got back, he forgave him and made John his heir because he didn't have any legitimate heirs. The people of England were thrilled.
• I thought that crystal ball was way cool when I was a kid.
• Of course your name will go down in history, John, you're one of Henry II's sons.
• "Solid gold hubcaps."
• Like they would carry around the treasury like that.
• HOW THE HELL DID ROBIN GET JOHN'S ROYAL ROBES? WHAT!?
• John's mommy issues...whoa...
• You know what would be fucking awesome? A western version of Robin Hood. Instead of a skilled archer, Robin could be a sharpshooter. Sheriff of Nottingham. Maid Marian could be a school marm. Prince John could be like an evil mayor. Friar Tuck is like a preacher...It writes itself. How has this not been done? I mean, there's a Ratpack version!
 |
| I wasn't kidding. |
• Bunny rabbits!
• "One whole farthing!" Sounds like a lot of money c. 12th century England. (It's a 1/4 of a penny, btw.)
• The main boy bunny--Skippy--looks a lot like Rabbit from the Winnie the Pooh shorts. AND HIS FATHER IS MISSING! #disneyconspiracytheories
• "Yes, mine yo mannows."
• "If I tattle tale, I'll die til I'm dead." Toby the Turtle is Milhouse.
• Maid Marian's gown looks like a 70s bridesmaid dress. Nice.
• "What a bonny wee bunny."
• Lady Kluck is a HUGE chicken.
• What's the deal with Maid Marian? I ask this concerning every version of Robin Hood. She's like Prince John's ward, but how and why? They never explain this. Robin Hood just needs a girlfriend.
• So...Robin Hood and Maid Marian were childhood sweethearts. And somehow Robin was allowed into Prince John's "back yard" and carved his and her initials in a tree. Then she left for London. Now she's back. And somehow
• "Do you have any kids? My mom has a lot of kids."
• "Your uncle King Richard--" WHAT? A LION IS HER UNCLE? SHE'S A FOX. WHAT?
• "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
"Or forgetful."
• But no, Robin hasn't forgotten Marian. He happens to be dreaming of her right now. Because...he heard she's back from London?
• "You're burning the chow!"
• "What do I have to offer her?"
"Well, for one thing, you can't cook."
• Archery contest? It's a trap!
• Robin Hood's disguise is pretty damn good.
• And Little John's Sir Reginald, Duke of Chutney is an inspiration. Even if his costume is from the 16th century.
• "P.J.!"
• Helium balloons?
• "Yay, Dad!"
• "I suspect you favor the gangly youth."
• At least he wasn't naked underneath.
• "My dear, emotional lady, why should I?"
• Chase scene. Fighting....
• Mmmm...blackberry pie...
• I always want Little John and Maid Marian's lady-in-waiting to get together...
• Yay! Now it's time for the Academy Award nominated "Love"...This looks so beautiful. And this flower ring with the firefly!
• "The Phony King of England" ...but John did eventually become king because Richard didn't sire any legitimate heirs.
• "Too late to be known as John the First/He's sure to be known as John the Worst"...well, he was (and is) the only King John of England
• So much recycled animation...
• "Old Rob'll snatch his underwear..."
• Here's one of the most melancholy Disney songs..."Not in Nottingham."
• The Sherman Brothers were the go-to songwriters for DAFs in the 60s, but for some reason (????) they branched out in the 70s. In 1973, Hanna-Barbera's Charlotte's Web came out with songs penned by the Sherman Brothers. And I think it's their best work. Yep. I said it.
• I used to think the cookie crumbs the mice eat was from one of those Little Debbie oatmeal cream cookies. #childlogic
• The mouse bed is a shoe. Adorable.
• "THAT'S THE POOR BOX!"
• "GET OUTTA MY CHURCH!"
• Damn...Friar Tuck has blown a gasket.
• Money still doesn't make Prince John happy...because he ain't got no respect.
• My fiancé just walked in and said "I know this...it's The Emperor's New Clothes." No, Babe. :-)
• Hang Friar Tuck? It's another trap!
• I'm not gonna lie: when they start the "jailbreak/heist" portion of this movie I completely check out...
• Ha! Hiss sleeps in a cradle.
• "Praise the Lord and pass the tax rebate!"
• Robin, man, just let him keep that last bag of gold. Is it worth it?
• They're shooting arrows at that little baby bunny!
• If they made this movie today, Marian would be in on it and helping with the exodus ala Eowyn.
• "He's just gotta make it!"
• "Now, look what you've done to your mother's castle."
• And King Richard returned and straightened everything out....meaning he put John to work in a rock quarry. No. If anything, he'd be put in the Tower or something.
• Cinderella wedding music.
• Why is Little John dressed like Sir Reginald again?
Final Thoughts
Oo-de-lally. I don't think I could have picked a better movie to follow my review of The Princess and the Frog. I had so much (too much?) to say about that movie and now I have Robin Hood...which is easily the crappiest Disney animated feature ever made. Now "crappy" doesn't mean, "not entertaining", it is literally just not very well made. It is lazy. It is a lazily told story that lazily reuses animation. But I obviously like it well enough if it's in my On the Fence category and not lower.
I mean, there's some funny moments and the voice work is great. I like the songs because I like 70s music. And that's about it. I'm not saying it deserves to be on any Greatest Animated Movies lists (Oh God, no.) I like it, but I know it's weak.
I shunned The Sword in the Stone for not doing more with Arthurian legend, so why am I not doing to the same for Robin Hood? Um...nostalgia? Yep. Nostalgia. I'm gonna go with that because I can't think of any better excuse. My grandma owned Robin Hood on VHS, so it was an oft watched DAF growing up. When you're seven, what's not to like? So yes, let's all blame nostalgia for my giving Robin Hood a passing grade when it doesn't deserve it.
Favorite Character
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| Prince John |
Favorite Moment -- Robin and Marian walking around to "Love".
Favorite Song -- "Love" performed by Nancy Adams
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