Robin Hood
Brief Description:
Based on the English folktale of the same name, the story follows the adventures of Robin Hood, Little John, and the inhabitants of Nottingham as they fight against the excessive taxation of Prince John, and Robin Hood wins the hand of Maid Marian.
(from Wikipedia)
Date: 1973
Genre: American animated musical adventure comedy family film
Running time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Cast:
Brian Bedford (Robin Hood)
Phil Harris (Little John)
Andy Devine (Friar Tuck)
Roger Miller (Alan-a-Dale)
Monica Evans (Maid Marian)
Carole Shelley (Lady Kluck)
Peter Ustinov (Prince John / King Richard)
Terry Thomas (Sir Hiss)
Pat Buttram (the Sheriff of Nottingham)
George Lindsey (Trigger)
Ken Curtis (Nutsy)
Candy Candido (Captain of the Royal Guard)
Billy Whitaker (Skippy)
Dana Laurita (Sis)
Dori Whitaker (Tagalong)
Richie Sanders (Toby)
John Fiedler (Sexton)
Barbara Luddy (Sexton’s wife / Mrs. Rabbit)
J. Pat O’Malley (Otto)
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Production company: Walt Disney Productions
Based on: The legends of Robin Hood
Wikipedia page
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Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5
So, this is NOT an accurate Robin Hood retelling. It’s a comedy. Once you realize that, it’s much more smooth sailing. XD But it has a cute Disney feel/aesthetic to it, and I like it!
Characters: 5/5
I love how every character’s accent and voice fits their personality SO well. Robin is, of course, Robin Hood and wonderful. Little John is about seven hoots and a half. Friar Tuck was actually quite accurate to himself. Alan-a-Dale was a fun character, as was Lady Kluck; and Maid Marian was adorable. John was hilarious, specially paired with Sir Hiss; the Sheriff and his men were great comedic relief. Also, the kids were SO CUTE, and the mice and Otto were lovely village folk.
Plot: 4/5
For the most part this is a mad screwball. And it’s funny! Even the intro is fun. I’m not a fan of the fortune telling scene (because of Little John… ahem) but the birthday scene is epic and so sweet (I MELTEDDDD), and so is the one in the castle grounds <33 But LJ and Rob are such a great pair; I love most of their scenes ;) The archery scene and subsequent rampage is hilarious! But I can’t love the romantic evening because THAT SONG HAS BEEN USED IN VERBO ADS AND NOW I CANNOT ENJOY IT ANY LONGER!! And The Phony King of England lyrics are great. Absolutely hilarious. Also, the song Not in Nottingham is kinda really heartbreaking and made me cry. All that scene surrounding that is so touching! Anyways, the ending of the film is perfect—heartwarming and hilarious and dramatic all at once—and I loooove it.
Romance: 5/5
Super small but real cute. :) And I looove the melting of Maid Marian’s face + the waterfall. Super cool artistry.
Themes/messages/topics: 5/5
It’s a bit buried beneath all the slapstick, quips, and country music, but I love the message.
Oh, Robin, you risk so much to keep our hopes alive.
The theme of empty souls through loss of hope, and finding happiness again, is particularly poignant to me, as someone who struggles with depression and hopelessness, and sees it a lot in the world.
Content: 4/5 (low)
Euphemisms. Country music, etc. Lady Kluck’s underpants are shown briefly in a chase scene, and her dress is clearly optional, because it’s always flying up and around. (As my sister says, the girls are always showing their bloomers in this film when they hitch up their skirts!) The biggest thing that bothers me is the scene where John and Robin disguise themselves as women fortune tellers, though no real fortunetelling is done. John gains attraction because of how buxom he is and he stores things in his bodice several times, and he flirts with the guards.
Violence: 5/5 (low)
There’s mild violence but it's so slapstick it doesn’t feel violent. XD
Overall: 4.5/5
Overall, this is a very amusing film, and I do love the characters. It’s not my favourite, but I really, really enjoy it. <3
