Robin Hood (1973)When I was a little kid, I remember watching the Walt Disney animated film, Robin Hood, over and over--among others, as most little kids do. I was surprised to watch it again to see that it not only holds up well for sheer entertainment value, but I'm glad to also find that it sports even more appeal that I can appreciate as an adult. This has become something of a trademark for Disney family films now, but even devoid of pop culture references, there are plenty of moments in this movie where adults can understand the real reason that Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham are the villains they are, and not just because they snarl and scowl.
|
|
There are numerous things which endow Robin Hood with that magical touch, that charm befitting the rogue of Sherwood. Among the many talented animators, the legendary Don Bluth showcases his talents--which would become more apparent after his split with Disney soon after this film; his own company--Don Bluth Productions--would become a steady competitor with Disney at their own game. While this is certainly whimsy, it does kind of plant the distinctive animator as a rebel himself, a kind of internal "Robin Hood", his legacy in his own way of embodying the "12 Principles of Animation", the foundation upon which Disney virtually invented animation as we know it. Those principles are more than just academia--they make the characters more real than real, lifelike, even when exaggerated; in truth, they are alive because they are exaggerate.. Like many Disney animated features--long and short past--the characters are all anthropomorphized, a feature which was popular in one of Disney's preceding films, The Jungle Book, with animals cast in roles which seem to embody the superficial qualities of those beasts. Robin Hood is a sly fox, his Maid Marian a lovely vixen to match, along with the wolfish Sheriff of Nottingham, and the bard and narrator, Alan-A-Dale, a rooster singing the ballad of Robin, Little John, and all the rest. One thing I found especially clever upon my most recent viewing was how the children--inquisitive rabbits like Skippy, and even a shy turtle--are not only voiced by children (or remarkable facsimilies), but are, in fact, one of the best connections that children watching the piece will have, mirroring the responses of the small faces staring up at the television screen.
Something which always passed me over as a child is, really, the central conflict of the story; that Prince John--the "phony king of England"--has been hiking up taxes to exorbitant levels, draining the heart and soul away from the people of Nottingham. As a child, I really didn't understand the nature of taxes and government, merely seeing the regent king and his enforcers as bullies--which they are. Watching this Robin Hood today makes me aware of the political and social context present in the story--and nearly all renditions of it--but I never found it distracting as a child, because I could always find a character to relate to--be it the heroic Robin or the puckish and brave Skippy. Hopefully no one out there is relating to the Prince or his like, although we all probably knew one or two spoiled kids like the thumb-sucking Prince John from the playground. The Sheriff is shameless in his collection of even the smallest farthing for the royal coffers, even finally pushing the Friar Tuck too far, getting him arrested and kicking off the conclusion of the film, which is his jail break; there is only so much "give unto Caesar" one can take. This light-hearted and endearing fable is also filled with a bevy of whimsical folk tunes, sung primarily by Alan-A-Dale, but also others; music which reminds one of easy summer days, or even a budding romance. The music is not the stereotypical "renaissance fair", but I find the divergent choice even more appealing, setting up a playfulness in the soul of the film which might have been lost otherwise. What I can recall from my youth is the music, how it affected me and invoked a feeling which I may not have understood contextually, but was able to feel as I was captivated by the animated adventure.
Recommended for: Fans of a positive delight of an animated tale of bravery, courage, and even love. Animation aficionados will see the watermark of a master like Don Bluth at work, foreshadowing his distinctive style to come.
Something which always passed me over as a child is, really, the central conflict of the story; that Prince John--the "phony king of England"--has been hiking up taxes to exorbitant levels, draining the heart and soul away from the people of Nottingham. As a child, I really didn't understand the nature of taxes and government, merely seeing the regent king and his enforcers as bullies--which they are. Watching this Robin Hood today makes me aware of the political and social context present in the story--and nearly all renditions of it--but I never found it distracting as a child, because I could always find a character to relate to--be it the heroic Robin or the puckish and brave Skippy. Hopefully no one out there is relating to the Prince or his like, although we all probably knew one or two spoiled kids like the thumb-sucking Prince John from the playground. The Sheriff is shameless in his collection of even the smallest farthing for the royal coffers, even finally pushing the Friar Tuck too far, getting him arrested and kicking off the conclusion of the film, which is his jail break; there is only so much "give unto Caesar" one can take. This light-hearted and endearing fable is also filled with a bevy of whimsical folk tunes, sung primarily by Alan-A-Dale, but also others; music which reminds one of easy summer days, or even a budding romance. The music is not the stereotypical "renaissance fair", but I find the divergent choice even more appealing, setting up a playfulness in the soul of the film which might have been lost otherwise. What I can recall from my youth is the music, how it affected me and invoked a feeling which I may not have understood contextually, but was able to feel as I was captivated by the animated adventure.
Recommended for: Fans of a positive delight of an animated tale of bravery, courage, and even love. Animation aficionados will see the watermark of a master like Don Bluth at work, foreshadowing his distinctive style to come.