Robin Hood (1973)
Based on the English folk tale, Robin Hood.
The story is narrated by Alan-a-Dale, portrayed as rooster (“Whistle Stop”). He introduces Robin Hood, portrayed as a red fox, and Little John, portrayed as a brown bear, who live in Sherwood Forest, robbing from the rich and giving to the overtaxed townsfolk of Nottingham. The Sheriff of Nottingham, portrayed as as wolf, tries to catch the two, but he fails every time (“Oo-De-Lally”). Meanwhile, Prince John, portrayed as a lion, and his counselor Sir Hiss, portrayed as a snake, arrive in Nottingham. Earlier, Sir Hiss hypnotized Prince John's brother King Richard to fight in the third crusade, allowing Prince John to take the throne as de facto King. Unfortunately, the Prince is greedy and immature, even sucking his thumb whenever his mother is mentioned. Robin and Little John rob Prince John by disguising themselves as fortune tellers, prompting the Prince to put a bounty on their heads.
The Sheriff, under Prince John's orders, taxes the inhabitants of Nottingham excessively. However, Robin gives back some money to a family of rabbits, and gives a bow, arrow and one of his hats to the young rabbit Skippy for his birthday. Skippy along with two of his sisters and his friend, Toby, test out the bow, but Skippy accidentally fires the arrow into the grounds of Nottingham Castle. The children sneak inside, meeting Maid Marian, also portrayed as a red fox, and her lady-in-waiting Lady Kluck, portrayed as a hen. Marian reveals that she and Robin were once childhood sweethearts, but she was sent to London and has not seen him for years, only recently returning to Nottingham and assuming Robin has forgotten her.
Friar Tuck, the local priest, portrayed as a badger, visits Robin and Little John to report that Prince John is hosting an archery tournament, with a kiss from Maid Marian as the prize. Robin disguises himself as a stork and enters the contest, while Little John masquerades as the Duke of Chutney to get close to Prince John. Robin wins the tournament, but Prince John recognizes him based on his skill as an archer and exposes him, sentencing him to death despite Marian's pleas. Little John threatens Prince John with a dagger, resulting in a fight between Robin's forces and Prince John's soldiers, culminating in Robin's party escaping with Marian and Lady Kluck in tow.
In the forest, Robin and Marian share a romantic evening (“Love”), then are surprised by Robin's "merry men", who sing a funny song dubbing John the "Phony King of England” (“The Phony King of England”). Prince John learns of the song and furiously triples the taxes; most of the town cannot pay, and are imprisoned (“Not In Nottingham”). The Sheriff visits Friar Tuck's church to steal from the poor box; Tuck throws him out and attacks him with a quarterstaff, resulting in Tuck's arrest for "treason". Prince John learns of this, and orders Tuck's execution, hoping to lure Robin into doing something rash to save him. The night before the execution, despite the precautions of Prince John, Robin Hood and Little John sneak into the castle. Little John manages to free all of the prisoners, Tuck included, whilst Robin steals all of Prince John's gold. Hiss awakens, and tries to stop them, rousing the castle. Chaos ensues as Robin and the others try to escape to Sherwood Forest, and Robin is forced to return to the castle to rescue Skippy's sister, Tagalong. The Sheriff chases Robin through the building and attacks him with a lit torch, setting the castle ablaze and forcing Robin to jump into the moat. Little John and Skippy anxiously watch as the water is pelted with arrows, and for a moment, it seems as if Robin has been killed, but he eventually emerges unharmed. Hiss chides a despairing Prince John for his failed trap, and points out the castle is afire, which drives Prince John to insanity.
Later, King Richard returns to England, and sentences Prince John, Hiss, and the Sheriff to hard labor in the Royal Rock Pile. He pardons Robin Hood, who marries Maid Marian and leaves Nottingham, with Little John and Skippy in tow (“Whistle Stop” & “Oo-De-Lally”).
TRIVIA
Robin Hood features the most recycled animation footage from other Disney Animation films such as The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.