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