Robin Hood
1973 · Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman
Original language: English
- animation
- family
- adventure
The story
With King Richard off to the Crusades, Prince John and his slithering minion, Sir Hiss, set about taxing Nottingham's citizens with support from the corrupt sheriff - and staunch opposition by the wily Robin Hood and his band of merry men.
What it’s like
Warm, hand-painted watercolour backgrounds in greens, ochres and deep forest browns give Sherwood a soft, storybook glow, with sunlight filtering through leaves and the flat, cheerful colour of a 1970s Disney cel. The character animation is loose and bouncy, with exaggerated rubbery movement, and the sets lean on simple, uncluttered compositions rather than moody shadow. The score is a light, jaunty mix of lute-like plucks, whistling and folk-tinged songs that keep the energy buoyant even in the tense moments. Its vibe is playful, gently mischievous and comfortingly old-fashioned, well suited to a family movie night, a lazy weekend afternoon or a comfort rewatch with kids. The pacing is brisk and episodic, with a clear hero-versus-tyrant arc in which a charming outlaw fox outwits a pompous, cowardly prince and his snake henchman. Violence is cartoon-mild: slapstick scuffles, swordplay with no blood, a few threatening moments and a jailing, all lightly comic and never frightening. It is for viewers who want something warm, funny and uncomplicated, with animal characters and a clear sense of right and wrong.
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