Today’s quick review: Robin Hood. While King Richard is out of the country crusading, his duplicitous brother Prince John (Peter Ustinov) seizes the throne and subjects the people of England to unbearable taxes. Robin Hood (Brian Bedford), an outlaw living in Sherwood Forest, fights this injustice by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, with the help of his friend Little John (Phil Harris).
Robin Hood is an animated family adventure from Disney that reimagines the classic story with a cast of animals. The wily, cheerful Robin Hood outfoxes his enemies, offers comfort to the downtrodden people of Nottingham, and charms Maid Marian (Monic Evans), the noblewoman he fell in love with years before. The movie blends the spirit of the original tales of Robin Hood with a charm that could only come from animation.
The appeal of Robin Hood comes from the care it puts into its characters and their interactions. It isn’t enough to go through the motions of the story with anthropomorphic animals. Instead, Robin Hood goes the extra mile to ensure that even the smallest characters have their own personalities. The movie has a knack for bringing its characters to life. Even after just a few minute onscreen, each character leaves a clear mark.
The other aspects of the movie are similarly strong. The animation suits the characters perfectly, turning even simple exchanges into impressive bits of comedy, slapstick, and adventure. The dialogue has a nice rhythm to it, but its real strength is in the way it supports the characters. The story is somewhat weaker. It conveys the highlights of the source material, but it’s a thin plot for a feature film and does not always flow very well.
How much you like Robin Hood will ultimately come down to taste, but there is certainly a lot to like. Those who are drawn to charming characters and attentive animation will find Robin Hood to be a joyful watch. Those who are focused a little more on tight plot work and dramatic story arcs may find it a little frivolous. In any case, it is worth checking out for anyone in the mood for something light and spirited.
For an iconic adaptation of the story, try The Adventures of Robin Hood. For a more irreverent take, try Robin Hood: Men in Tights. For a classic musical comedy with a similar plot, try The Court Jester.
[7.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070608/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for charming characters and swashbuckling adventure.