Despite a low rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website, Disney’s animated Robin Hood is one of the more fun Disney animated films in their collection of animated masterpieces. It is filled with colorful characters and fun and catchy sing-a-long songs. The record version of the movie is one that I played on my recored player on a regular basis when I was a lad. But before the animated version Disney made a live action version of the legendary tale. The 2nd full length Disney live action version of Robin Hood is almost forgotten today, but not entirely.
I haven’t seen the original swashbucker Douglas Fairbanks version and I and don’t remember the Kevin Costner version so I can’t compare this one to the others. I have seen the golden version with swashbuckler Errol Flynn, and believe it to be not better or worse but only a different take on the Robin Hood story. TSORH may not be one of my favorite Disney films, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t good example of a classic Disney adventure film which is a lot of fun.
Some of the interesting aspects of this particular version include how Robin Hood communicates with his Merry Men throughout Sherwood Forrest. This is done by whizzing arrows creating a particular sound as it travels through the trees. It may communicate a unknown visitor to Sherwood Forrest or it will signal to the Merry Men to meet in the town square. It makes you wonder what might happen if they accidently hit someone they are shooting a message to? Another interesting aspect is that it shows a Christian blessing to King Richard before he goes off on the crusade. A Christian blessing would must likely be replaced with some new age ceremony today. God is still very relevant in 1950’s cinema. It’s fasanating to see that a great deal of the people of medieval England had a variety of bright colorful tunics and clothing. Even the horse pulling the royal carriage is nicely decked out in a fine purple horse outfit. This version shows how Robin Hood became an outlaw. Like Batman, he turns to a life of vigilantism after his father is assassinated. This was plot point was not explained in the animatied version.
It also has Robin and Maid Marian sharing a very passionate kiss. It’s the kind of kiss you always dream of having with someone you really love. And this was the kiss that happen before Wesley and Buttercup shared their famous liplock. The wandering minstrel provides some fun little ditties you can sing along to. There are also the custimary fights with Little John, Friar Tuck and various others , which are all part of the added joy of any Robin Hood film. Prince John however seems to be in the shadows in this particular version.
There is also the joy of seeing just men kick the crap out of unjust men. It’s fun to see Robin trick the Sheriff of Nottingham into giving a hefty sum of gold for the ransom of King Richard. The Sherriff of Nottingham tries to make Robin look bad by robbing the royal carriage of the queen with his men posing as Robin’s, but it FAILS. Saddly there is lack of a big final fight scene with the sheriff, but there is a final confrontation in which he gets his just reward.
Overall it is a pretty fun film that should entertain adventure lovers of all ages.
Other Notible Robin Hood's
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