‘Robin Hood’ fox rocks, but copycat plays part too
Once again, Disney took a tale and gave it tails in “Robin Hood,” The animated film, released in 1973, keeps to the old “steal from the rich, feed the poor” mantra, but once animals are used as human characters, other storyline diversions are easier to absorb.
Putting a fox in the title role is, well, sly of Disney, which shows his craftiness repeatedly. The movie features an odd menagerie with farm animals mixing with alligators and lions. Sure, it’s difficult to resist elephants as trumpeters, but where exactly are we? And why are some creatures from the American South in this tale set in England?
Storywise, the creators successfully made the bad guys be downright evil with heartless (yet gleeful) tax collections and made Robin universally loved and justified in his thievery. (“Oh, he’s so handsome … just like his reward posters,” notes one young bunny.) In addition, he’s an expert archer and a master of disguise, including in one scene where he’s supposed to be a stork.
“Robin Hood,” the latest of our Disney Plus reviews published in the order that Disney’s animated films were released, also has a star-crossed love story over to the side.
The basics: Robin and his big sidekick Little John pull a scam on royally rich Prince John — a scenestealing, thumb-sucking lion — who vows revenge.
Things come to a head as disguised Robin enters an archery contest, but it’s a trap. His motivation was a prized kiss from Maid Marian because the two of them have a history. Somehow the result ends up being more taxes, and a catchy ditty about how inept John is.
There’s a skirmish between John’s troops and Robin’s forest friends plus an inventive jailbreak that includes more trademark taking from rich. And then it ends, rapidly, happily ever after.
The legacy: “Robin Hood” did respectable box office, and it got a lot of attention as the studio’s biggest effort since Walt Disney’s death in 1966. And it’s sort of a “Zootopia” ancestor.
The flashback: The hypnotic eyes of Sir Hiss, the prince’s snake sidekick, are very much like those of Kaa, who slithered through “The Jungle Book.” And Little John is a clone of that film’s Baloo. Both bears were drawn by the same artist and both voiced by Phil Harris.
Adult art of animation appreciation: There’s nothing amazing here. There’s a lovely looking scene with Robin and Marian when they are first reunited, and the use of extreme closeups was effective. More shocking is the step-by-step duplication of musical scenes from Disney films “The Jungle Book,” “The Aristocats” and even “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which predates “Robin Hood” by 36 years. (Google this; it’s worth it.)
Parental guidance/kid stuff: Flirtation between the foxes is overshadowed by death threats, including orders for multiple executions.
What brought me back to reality: “Taxes, taxes, beautiful, lovely taxes,” says the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Burning questions: Why does Marian disappear for so long? Even Lady Kluck, her hen friend, gets in on the battle scene.
The theme park angles: In Fantasyland, in happier, non-pandemic times, you could eat at the Friar’s Nook. It’s temporarily closed, but the online menu includes “creamy bacon macaroni and cheese tots.”
You’d be lucky to spot “Robin Hood” characters in the parks. Little John, Robin and Friar Tuck are seen mostly on special occasions. But “Robin Hood”-themed trees have been known to make an appearance at Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail.
Meanwhile, back in Orlando: Four “Robin Hood” characters were in the 1973 Orlando Christmas parade, on loan from Walt Disney World. Others on the scene included Wally Walrus from SeaWorld Orlando, Ronald McDonald and Frisch’s Big Boy, according to a preview in the Orlando Sentinel Star newspaper.
The film debuted at Orlando’s Plaza theater on Dec. 21, 1973. Playing at the Beacham that day: “Hell Up in Harlem.”
Up next: “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1977)