Robin Hood: Most Wanted Edition (1973/Disney Animated)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: B- Film: B-
If there
ever was a classic tale, Robin Hood
would be at the top of the list. Here we
have another Disney classic re-released on DVD, the good thing being that
Disney has done a quality job of cleaning up the graininess of the animated
feature since the Classic Gold Collection release several years ago. The new Robin
Hood: Most Wanted Edition (1973) is a quality release with much to offer
Disney fans. This rendition of the
classic tale takes many liberties to create a fun and humorous atmosphere, yet
at the same time the film remains intelligent and well placed together. As with all Robin Hood tales, the story centers on Robin Hood (voiced by Brian
Bedford of the classic Grand Prix)
and his good pal Little John (voiced by Phil Harris who also voiced Baloo in
the Jungle Book) robbing from the
rich and giving to the poor, all the while thwarting the evil Prince John
(voiced by the legendary Peter Ustinov of the film Spartacus) who is using the kingdom’s subjects as his personal
piggy bank. The film remains intelligent
through its use of intricate scenes and the transitional phases from a happy,
carefree kingdom to a land in ruins, then back to pleasantries again with the
return of King Richard. Overall, though
not the best Disney animated feature the classic tale was brought to a whole
new light and created new memories for all who watched.
A
surprising fact about this film which was released in 1973 is that this was the
first animated release after the death of the great Walt Disney. At this time the studio was in a great
financial slump and many fans and critics alike thought that Disney Studios was
on the verge of ruin without their front man.
The film is quite surprising in its use of humor and unconventionally
casting American voice actors along side British voice actors to create a
surprising relaxed and eclectic atmosphere.
The song does not only demonstrate a great tale but entwines the country
music styling of Roger Miller as primary song writer and narrator to further
push the film into greatness. Though
classic voice actors were used many other elements were recycled tidbits from
other Disney animated features, such as the character of Little John sounding
and resembling Baloo of The Jungle Book,
Sir Hiss resembles and acts similar to Kaa of The Jungle Book, and certain dance numbers even resembling The Jungle Book. Overall, the film was a great success for
Disney and to this day holds records for the company, one can even say this
forced the studio out of their threatening financial slump.
The
technical aspects of this DVD are quite good by comparison to the previous
release of this animated feature, but expect this to be even better when
re-released in a Disney Platinum Collection or Disney Blu-ray high definition
disc. The picture contains a new
somewhat restored digital transfer but still not the greatest in its 1.75 X 1 anamorphically
enhanced widescreen format. At times the
picture’s colors were still not quite right, seeming dull while a certain
degree of graininess remained within the film.
Originally produced and released in three-strip dye-transfer
Technicolor, this would be the last such film ever to come out in the print format
Walt Disney liked so much that he temporarily had an exclusive contract to use
as a way of putting his animation competition out of business.
When the
larger studios wanted the process, Disney got bought out and the format became
a classic. Disney first used it on a
1932 short called Flowers & Trees,
then applied it to his first feature, Snow
White & The Seven Dwarfs (1938).
This was the last of 16 animated Disney features to use the three-strip successive
exposure system, though parts of The
Reluctant Dragon, The Three
Caballeros, Song Of The South, So Dear My Heart, Mary Poppins and Bedknobs
& Broomsticks used it mixed with live action in parts. Sleeping
Beauty (1959) was shot in the large frame Technirama format, had to be
animated differently, but still came out in 35mm reduction dye-transfer
Technicolor prints. Needless to say,
this Robin Hood was the end of an
era.
The sound
was quite nice in its Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound format though high/low
problems still somewhat persist. The extras
were fun and enjoyable, children are sure to take pleasure in such features as
Robin Hood’s Merry Games (Trivia and ‘Rescue Maid Marian), as well as a song
selection guide and an extra animated short of Mickey and Minnie Mouse in ‘Ye
Olden Days.’
In the
end, Robin Hood: Most Wanted Edition
does need some work but remains far superior to the early Gold Collection
release. Such Disney classics remind
audiences as to why they fell in love with this animation studio in the first
place. On an interesting endnote,
Disney’s Robin Hood is one of the first Disney titles to be released for home
viewing; on top of this being released in essentially every format to
date. From beginning to end Robin Hood is an essential Disney film
to own having stolen the hearts of rich and poor alike for almost 25 years.
- Michael P Dougherty II
