The first Disney film I remember seeing on the big screen was Disney’s Robin Hood. My aunt and uncle took me to the Odeon Leicester Square for its release in 1973. So I have always had a great fondness for the film although it has not always received critical acclaim. We take a look at the film and we include a few of the collectables and toys produced over the years, although sadly there has not been much 50th anniversary related items made.
In 2023, the Disney film “Robin Hood” will celebrates its 50th anniversary since its original release in 1973. The film, which was directed by Wolfgang Reitherman and produced by Walt Disney Productions, was the 21st animated Disney feature. The film is an adaptation of the classic English tale of Robin Hood, a heroic outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
However, in the Disney version, the characters are all portrayed as anthropomorphic animals, with Robin Hood as a cunning and charismatic fox, and his love interest Maid Marian as a beautiful vixen. King John is a lion, Little John a bear and Friar Tuck a badger.
The film features a memorable soundtrack composed by Roger Miller, who also voices the character of the rooster minstrel, Allan-a-Dale. The film’s most iconic song, “Oo-De-Lally,” is a fun and upbeat tune that perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of the film. Other notable songs include “Love,” a romantic duet between Robin Hood and Maid Marian, and “The Phony King of England,” a catchy tune sung by the film’s villain, Prince John.
Did you know? The character of Friar Tuck was originally going to be a pig, but animators changed him to a badger to avoid any religious connotations that could be taken as offensive.
Recycled Animation in Robin Hood
Recycled animation is a common practice in the animation industry, where animators reuse previously created animation sequences for new projects. The use of recycled animation in “Robin Hood” was a cost-saving measure that allowed the animators to produce the film on a tighter budget and shorter timeline. However, it also had the added benefit of maintaining a consistent style and aesthetic with other Disney films of the time.
One example of recycled animation in “Robin Hood” can be seen in the dance scene between Robin Hood and Maid Marian. The dance sequence was taken directly from “The Jungle Book” and was originally created for the song “I Wanna Be Like You” featuring Baloo and King Louie. The animators used the same dance steps and movements but replaced the characters with Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
Another example of recycled animation is the scene where the Sheriff of Nottingham and his henchman trigger a trap and are catapulted into the air. This scene was taken from “The Aristocats” and was originally created for the scene where the kittens are launched into the air during a fight with the butler Edgar.
While some critics may view the use of recycled animation as a lazy or cheap way of creating content, others argue that it can be an effective way to save time and resources while maintaining a consistent style and quality. In the case of “Robin Hood,” the use of recycled animation helped to create a charming and visually appealing film that has stood the test of time.
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Disney Robin Hood items on ebay
