Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID510960.asp" target="_blank">11/29/06 Toon Talk: Robin Hood DVD</a>
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Just a note: I found out after this review was written that "The Story of Robin Hood & His Merrie Men" is available on DVD, but only as a Disney Movie Club exclusive.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Great review. It's sad that they really didn't do more with the bonus features, since Robin Hood is one of those features that people don't really know much about. From the sounds of it, however, it may just be that there isn't much to know about it to begin with. Either way, I think that I will most likely be passing on this edition of the movie, even if it is the Most Wanted Edition.
Originally Posted By a1stav "This Robin Hood is definitely representative of its time, the “after Walt†period typified by an episodic storyline, uninspired music, villains more slapstick then threatening," OK, I am not quite sure what is meant by some of these statements. I feel that the music for Robin Hood is some of the best that Disney has ever produced. The songs especially are wonderful. Later on he gives light praise to the songs, so I don't know. The villains are by far the best part of the picture, so I don't see that as being a negative at all. "with some fine character animation and Roger Miller’s folksy contributions to the song score (including a pre-“Hamster Dance†“Whistle Stop†and the bleak “Not in Nottinghamâ€), not to mention an impressive roster of voice talent …" Very much agreed! The illustrative style of the animation, the songs and the incredible voice acting make this picture a truly under appreciated gem. The criticisms to the cost cutting may be justified but I feel that most of the animation cycling and the like add charm and an intimate feel to the movie. Also this is Disney's only truly anthropomorphic full length picture to date which makes it stand out from the crowd. Anyway as you may have guessed I have a special place in my heart for "Robbin Hood" so I could be biased. I already own the Gold Collection DVD so I doubt I will purchase is again, but I do treasure this movie.
Originally Posted By basil fan Robin Hood may not be in my top ten list, but I do enjoy it and own it. It has a lot of entertainment value. Guilty! The Disney Villains <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/villain.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ disney/villain.html</a>
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy <"This Robin Hood is definitely representative of its time, the “after Walt†period typified by an episodic storyline, uninspired music, villains more slapstick then threatening," OK, I am not quite sure what is meant by some of these statements. I feel that the music for Robin Hood is some of the best that Disney has ever produced. The songs especially are wonderful.> I agree. It's a wonderful film, one of Disney's funniest (along with "The Sword and the Stone"), and the songs are terrific. Heck, "Love" was nominated for an Oscar! It's a beautiful piece, and "Not in Nottingham" is fittingly melancholy and moving, and "Whistle Stop" and "Oo-de-Lally" are lighthearted fun. This all reminds me of when John Grant ragged on RH in his book "The Encyclopedia of Disney Animated Characters". He ended his critique with, "This film is the only feature to have bored this author's then-seven year-old daughter". Well I'm sorry, but as exciting and full of movement and color and comedy as RH is ("post-archery tournament chaos" anyone?), if your daughter was bored by it, that's her problem, not the film's.
Originally Posted By mawnck Disagree strongly. I remember being bored by this movie as a kid as well, and now that I've grown up, it's easy to see why. The movie has no storyline to speak of . . . it just sort of meanders through a bunch of vignettes, like Alice in Wonderland only without the interesting stuff. There's no conflict, no villain of hero-threatening significance, no suspense (unless you count the he's-not-really-dead silliness at the end, which by 1973 even the toddlers were on to). Prince John and Sir Hiss are the only two characters with a bit of spark. Robin and Marian have even less personality than Aurora and Phillip (too bad Robin doesn't have a horse), and most of the supporting characters borrow their personalities from the voice artists doing their trademark sitcom schtick (with all those hillbilly accents in England, no less). The kids are cute to the point of nauseating -- it's that fake Strawberry Shortcake/Aristocats kind of cute as opposed to the genuine-article Thumper cute. The look of the film is garish and artless - all bright colors just slapped about with little thought to color pallette or how well the characters read against the backgrounds. The pacing stinks, careening from one plot point to another with no regard for flow or dramatic impact. While I agree the Roger Miller songs are nice, they can't carry the movie. They're very leisurely-paced, and don't do much to advance the story or up the excitement (although if you speed them WAY up, Hampsters will dance to them). "The Phoney King of England", the one uptempo number, is just plain awful -- an unsingable melody, cluttered arrangement that can't decide whether to be British Folk or Dixieland, and moronic lyrics that don't advance the story or anything else (plus, it was stolen -- it's a slight rewrite of an old X-rated English folk song called "The Bastard King of England"). "Love" is 110 seconds long (that's with the intro and the repeat), and I don't know what it was up against at the Oscars, but it must've been a slow year. It's pretty, but just not much of a song, and whatever impact it has on the story or mood lasts exactly 110 seconds, since it's blasted to smithereens by "Phoney King" immediately after it. And while your daughter might not notice the recycled animation (and dialog) throughout the movie, everybody over the age of 11 certainly did, and it was, and is, annoying as all getout. The movie had some nice animation, some pretty good Roger Miller songs, great voice performances by Ustinov and Thomas, and that about covers it. Oh, and it says "Disney" on the box. Still better than "Home on the Range."
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy <Still better than "Home on the Range."> That's it mawnck, fill up the other half of that glass! ;-) Though with Aurora and Philip, I do like how John Grant points out that that's a different type of film, and people who see them (particularly her) as "cyphers" can be seeing what they expect instead of what's really there. <I remember being bored by this movie as a kid as well> Did you not see what I said about the chaos after the archery tournament? How could any kid not love that? That was the highlight of the film for me. And all of the humor, especially Lady Kluck, Prince John, and Sir Hiss. Disney stitches abound. And thanks for bringin' up "The Phony King of England"---great song. Forgot to mention that one. <---gently scratches off "mawnck" of LPers whom to have a Disney movie marathon with ;-)
Originally Posted By TheRedhead "Robin Hood" was the first Disney animated film I ever saw on VHS. It was a week after we had gotten our first VCR (a top-loader!), I was about ten, my mother rented RH, and I watched it a bazillion times. It is a mess, I admit. But it is a fun mess that has a speacial place in my heart. "Phony King of England" is still one of my favorite Disney songs (I just got a recording of Louis Prima singing it from itunes). And Prince John is just perfection. I'll defend the film half-heartedly, but don't say anything bad about him.
Originally Posted By jasmine7 <<And Prince John is just perfection. I'll defend the film half-heartedly, but don't say anything bad about him.<< Amen! I absolutely love PJ. Ustinov's performance was just spot-on. I have great affection for this movie, as it and Mary Poppins were the first Disney movies I ever owned (our first copies were on the old disc players from the early 80s). I always thought that Robin was a very dashing character, so I don't really see how anyone could call him lifeless or dull, but to each his own.
Originally Posted By basil fan Hey, Redhead, I had a top-loader for my first VCR, too. And the remote was connected to the machine by a wire! Every time the dog walked by, she pulled the wire out! I can laugh about it now. I do miss setting the timer without an on-screen display, however. Anyhow, I still like Robin Hood. For Disney Girls Only <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/girls.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ disney/girls.html</a>
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA The best thing about 'Robin Hood' is the style of animation. I really like the sketchy, Xeroxed cel look of '101 Dalmatians' 'Sword and the Stone' 'Jungle Book' 'Aristocats' 'Robin Hood' and 'The Rescuers' -- plus the animated sequences in 'Mary Poppins' and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks.' I like the way the pencil lines show, it seems to give the animation more life, and preserve some of that....active feeling.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy That's interesting, Jim...I respect your opinion and can understand why some folks prefer that, but I much prefer the sweeping, grand, more elegant style of animation such as "Sleeping Beauty". It's just that whole "fantasy world" thing to me. And I thought it was cool that Walt called SB's animation "like paintings come to life". To each our own.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>I really like the sketchy, Xeroxed cel look of '101 Dalmatians' 'Sword and the Stone' 'Jungle Book' 'Aristocats' 'Robin Hood' and 'The Rescuers' -- plus the animated sequences in 'Mary Poppins' and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks.'<<< Speaking of... WHERE the heck is our restored RESCUERS? I hope hope hope it comes out next year, the 30 anniversary of the film. Because THAT is quite a fine film. Robin Hood... I found it entertaining as a kid, but a bit of a letdown. Prince John IS a terrific and extremely unique, specifically created villain. There are other lovely things about the movie, but it's kind of a mixed bag.
Originally Posted By jdub As far as sequels to "The Jungle Book" go, I thought it was far superior to the John Goodman version.
Originally Posted By FiveBearRugs Robin Hood II: Gisbourne's Revenge Join an all-star cast in this action-packed sequel to the Disney classic Robin Hood! The evil Guy of Gisbourne arrives in Nottingham to help the evil Prince John and his cohorts. Will Robin Hood arrive in time? Join old friends like Maid Marian and Little John, and new friends like Will Scarlet. Extras include: "Love" music video by AJ and Aly; "Whistle-Stop" (Disney remix) music video by Ashley Tisdale and the cast of High School Musical Cast Hugh Grant as Robin Hood John Goodman as Little John Rowan Atkinson as Sir Hiss Jeff Foxworthy as The Sheriff of Nottingham Patrick Stewart as Prince John Christy Carlson Romano as Maid Marian Ian McKellan as Guy of Gisbourne Judi Dench as Mummy Gisbourne Orlando Bloom as Will Scarlet David Ogden Stiers as Alan-a-Dale
Originally Posted By basil fan Actually, the one thing I never liked about Robin Hood is the scenes shown during the credits. The animated characters running around are like a giant spoiler for the rest of the film, and it bugs me every time I watch. I like the rest of the movie. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/glitch/sdglitch.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ glitch/sdglitch.html</a>
