Like a lot of kids, it’s easy to grow up on Disney movies – especially back in the 70’s when I was but a wee lad and there was little in the way of selection. One movie that I was apparently endlessly fascinated by was The Jungle Book, which my mother claims is my favorite childhood movie. It’s one I certainly like, as an adult, but I suspect that I’d put Charlotte’s Web or The Little Prince ahead of it these days.
What those films won’t get past though is what’s at my top with the Disney animated version of Robin Hood. Released in 1973, the Wolfgang Reitherman film is one that simply delighted me with its familiar story given an animal adaptation that likely set up my interest in various animal-people anime interpretations over the years. THe film is obviously simple and straightforward, but it has a lot of appeal in that kind of approach as it covers the bases, has a wonderful visual beauty about it without being overdone or, strange as it may sound, too rich in its design and backgrounds. It’s about the characters and it’s one of the few films that captures the kind of simple fun of Robin Hood and Little John in the way they exist and go through this part of their lives.
Plot concept: Join Robin Hood, his trusted companion Little John and his hilarious band of Merry Men as they outfox greedy Prince John to save the good people of Nottingham. Dashing from one daring deed to the next, Robin won’t rest until he wins the hand of Maid Marian and restores King Richard to the throne.
