Robin Hood (1973)
2/4
Starring (voices): Brian Bedford, Phil Harris, Peter Unistov, Terry-Thomas, Monica Evans, Pat Buttram, Andy Devine, Roger Miller
Rated G
For obvious reasons, The House of Mouse is known as the king of animation. It has dominated the market and continues to do so with the acquisition of Pixar and distribution rights to Studio Ghibli. It faces some competition from other studios, but there's no question who reigns supreme. Some entries released by the Walt Disney Company are classics by any definition of the word. "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Pinocchio," the list goes on. Their take on the classic story of Robin Hood is not on that list. The animation is lacking, the story is trite, and there are some egregious examples of miscasting as far as the voice talent is concerned.
After having his snake jester Sir Hiss (Terry-Thomas) hypnotize his brother into going on a crusade, Prince John (Unistov) takes the throne for himself and enriches himself by stealing everyone's money through his unscrupulous tax collector, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Buttram). Fortunately for the local populace, they've got an ally on their side. Robin Hood (Bedford) is a charming and wily thief who happily relieves Prince John of his ill-gotten gains and returns them to their rightful owners. But the pampered prince is determined to nab his nemesis by any means possible.
The plot for this movie is thin, and that's being charitable. I don't expect a lot of depth or subtext in an animated film (although they are welcome), but if it's not going to concentrate on narrative, it has to find another way to gauge my interest. But the comedy is feeble and the action scenes are competent but not spectacular. The best part of the movie is the romance between Robin and his sweetheart, Maid Marian (Evans). They make a lovely couple.
If only the same could be said about the other members of the cast. They're adequate but not standout. The villains are a different story. Pat Buttram could hide behind the statement that he's miscast, but Peter Unistov gets the prize for giving the most annoying vocal performance I have ever heard. Yes, Prince John is supposed to be a comic foil, with his petulant behavior and greed being the subject of humor rather than scorn or malice. But Unistov gives the character such an aggravating voice that to see him on screen is akin to fingernails being dragged down a chalkboard. The character, a spoiled, thumbsucking mama's boy, is fine. His performance is not. Compare him to, say, Jonathan Freeman in "Aladdin," and you'll see what could have been.
For a company to have been in business for the better part of a century, it's unfair to expect every film to be a masterpiece. A few are going to inevitably misfire; such is the price of success. But to misfire so badly for such an obvious reason is rather shocking. Did no one realize what an albatross Unistov was to this film? Perhaps someone thought that it achieved the desired effect. While the character is certainly worthy of our hate, being so unbelievably grating and obnoxious is unacceptable.
Starring (voices): Brian Bedford, Phil Harris, Peter Unistov, Terry-Thomas, Monica Evans, Pat Buttram, Andy Devine, Roger Miller
Rated G
For obvious reasons, The House of Mouse is known as the king of animation. It has dominated the market and continues to do so with the acquisition of Pixar and distribution rights to Studio Ghibli. It faces some competition from other studios, but there's no question who reigns supreme. Some entries released by the Walt Disney Company are classics by any definition of the word. "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Pinocchio," the list goes on. Their take on the classic story of Robin Hood is not on that list. The animation is lacking, the story is trite, and there are some egregious examples of miscasting as far as the voice talent is concerned.
After having his snake jester Sir Hiss (Terry-Thomas) hypnotize his brother into going on a crusade, Prince John (Unistov) takes the throne for himself and enriches himself by stealing everyone's money through his unscrupulous tax collector, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Buttram). Fortunately for the local populace, they've got an ally on their side. Robin Hood (Bedford) is a charming and wily thief who happily relieves Prince John of his ill-gotten gains and returns them to their rightful owners. But the pampered prince is determined to nab his nemesis by any means possible.
The plot for this movie is thin, and that's being charitable. I don't expect a lot of depth or subtext in an animated film (although they are welcome), but if it's not going to concentrate on narrative, it has to find another way to gauge my interest. But the comedy is feeble and the action scenes are competent but not spectacular. The best part of the movie is the romance between Robin and his sweetheart, Maid Marian (Evans). They make a lovely couple.
If only the same could be said about the other members of the cast. They're adequate but not standout. The villains are a different story. Pat Buttram could hide behind the statement that he's miscast, but Peter Unistov gets the prize for giving the most annoying vocal performance I have ever heard. Yes, Prince John is supposed to be a comic foil, with his petulant behavior and greed being the subject of humor rather than scorn or malice. But Unistov gives the character such an aggravating voice that to see him on screen is akin to fingernails being dragged down a chalkboard. The character, a spoiled, thumbsucking mama's boy, is fine. His performance is not. Compare him to, say, Jonathan Freeman in "Aladdin," and you'll see what could have been.
For a company to have been in business for the better part of a century, it's unfair to expect every film to be a masterpiece. A few are going to inevitably misfire; such is the price of success. But to misfire so badly for such an obvious reason is rather shocking. Did no one realize what an albatross Unistov was to this film? Perhaps someone thought that it achieved the desired effect. While the character is certainly worthy of our hate, being so unbelievably grating and obnoxious is unacceptable.
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