Starring Phil Harris, Brian Bedford, Peter Ustinov, Pat Buttram, Andy Devine, Monica Evans, Roger Miller
Written By: Ken Anderson
Directed By: Wolfgang Reitherman
Studio: Disney/ Buena Vista
Buy on Amazon.com link

I used to love Robin Hood as a kid, but I still think Sleeping Beauty and Sword and the Stone are my favorite Disney movies. Robin Hood has been on DVD before, but this DVD has a new digital transfer and can be heard in 5.1 surround sound. Plus there’s a few bonus features as well!

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away…Wait, wrong movie. “A long time ago, in a faraway land, legends tells an extraordinary tale of courage and friendship…” Robin Hood is the animated tale of the legend of Robin Hood. This time, the Prince of Thieves is a red fox and Little John is a big bear. Robin Hood robs or “borrows” from the rich, and gives to the poor. Prince John makes his way into Nottingham and starts to tax everybody. If the people can’t pay, they get thrown into jail. Until Robin Hood starts to rob from him and Prince John puts a bounty on Robin’s head. Robin Hood and his band of bandits of Sherwood Forest revolt against the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John.

It’s been a long time since I saw Robin Hood but it’s great to see it on DVD with this new transfer. The film is probably one of the best animated films of all time, especially one of Disney’s best. The film has some cute and funny moments, it’s got action, it’s got folk singing, and it even has some romance. Of course, all the parents and even kids roll their eyes when Robin and Marian are running through the forest to that sappy song. I just hate it when a good movie has to get interrupted with some song in it. Roger Miller’s folk singing is tolerable, and kind of fits the whole mentality of Robin Hood. At least Phil Collins or Elton John were too young to do the soundtrack, am I right people!

My favorite part of the whole movie isn’t any scene particularly, but it has to be the character of Prince John. Everytime he says “Mother,” he has to grab his ear and suck on his thumb like a baby and it makes me giggle like a kid every time I see it. The little animal kids are quite cute as well; I remember I used to like them when I was younger. The snake is funny too, especially during the archery contest. The ending is a fun sequence because Robin dresses up like a guard and breaks everybody out of prison. And besides that, he steals all of Prince John’s money. The deleted scene in the bonus features shows a different ending. Robin escapes the fiery tower, but is injured and Prince John and the slippery serpent sneak into his camp to kill him. But King Richard saves the day, and eventually knights Robin Hood. Other extras include some sing-alongs, trivia and a bonus short.

If you like Robin Hood, and don’t already own the DVD then the Most Wanted Edition is the version to own. It was great to see the movie again, and I wish Walt Disney made 2-D animated movies like this again.

Features:
All-New Robin Hood’s Merry Games:
Archery Trivia Challenge
Rescue Maid Marian
Disney’s Song Selection:
“Oo-de-lally”
“Love”
“The Phony King of England”
Deleted Scene
Featuring an Alternate Ending
Bonus Short
Ye Olden Days
And More!

Audio:
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 CC
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Stereo
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo

Video:
Widescreen 1.75:1 Color (Anamorphic)

Subtitles:

Favorite Scenes: The archery’s contest, the ending.
Rating: G
Running Time: 83 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: