The Underrated Classic
When Roy O. Disney took the reins from his late brother after his death in 1966, Roy began the 70s by promising to steady the ship and honour the studio’s 50 year legacy. On 1/10/71, Walt Disney World opened to the public in Florida and Walt’s grand dream was achieved. But sadly, Roy would have less than three more months to bask in that euphoria. Because he had a huge stroke, which led to a brain hemmorage and he died at the age of 78. So Walt Disney Productions had lost it’s second beloved leader in five years and the entire team had more anxiety attacks over their own future, espceially in the animation division. And for the first time, the studio was led by someone outside the Disney family, when Card Walker and Donn Tatum became President and CEO respectvely.
Walker & Tatum saw the animation department as a financial liability without anyone from the family around to make nostalgic connection to Walt’s love of animation. They were both “numbers men” who saw a consistent pattern of Disney animated films barely breaking even on the production costs, which included the release of The Aristocats, which had been a box office success, but not enough to turnas much profit as the live - action films or the theme parks.
The animation department, again, faced closure and only stayed open because of the protestations of the animators, who all argued, rightly, that the very core of the studio lay in animation. So Walker and Tatum relented but they cut down animated film budgets to a barebones level hitherto unseen at the studio. The first film produced under this new regime would highlight the effects of this decision on all future animated films for the next 15 years.
THE STORY
In the 12th century A.D. , King Richard the Lionheart has left for the Third Crusade, and in his absence, his greedy brother Prince John has usurped him, and taxed the people of England into bankruptcy and starvation with the help of the Sherrif of Nottingham. Luckily, the famous outlaws Robin Hood and Little John are there to take back the people’s stolen money from the Sheriff and return it to the people. One day, in an effort to finally trap Robin, Prince John organizes a royal archery tournament for all the greatest archers in Britain, with the prize/bait being a shiny, golden arrow and a kiss from the Lady Marian, who was Robin’s childhood sweetheart.
*******************
The idea for what eventually became Robin Hood was actually formed way back in 1937, when Walt floated the idea of adapting the legend of Reynard the Fox, centred on an anthropomorphic red fox known to be a brillinat trickster and thief. But after a few project meetings, Walt grew concerned that the character wouldn’t make a good Disney hero. And the project was shelved immediately after the character was adapted into an Anti - Semitic children’s story in a Dutch pro - Nazi magazine. Over the decades, Walt kept trying to find a project to the include the fox character, including an animated adaptation of Treasure Island, which went on to become a live - action film, and as the main villain in an adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s Chanticleer, which was scrapped in favour of Sword in the Stone. But nothing actually happened during Walt’s life and the idea sat shelved for years.
In the late ‘60s, storyman and animator Ken Anderson was exploring possible contenders for the next animated film after The Aristocats, and he reapproached a possible adaptation of Reynard the Fox. Both the new studio heads were pushing the animation department to find a “classic tale” for Disney next animated project. So Anderson suggested incorporating Reynard into an adaptation of classic English folk hero Robin Hood, thus preserving Reynard’s thievery and trickery, but presented in a more heroic and endearing way.
Initially, Anderson wanted this film set in America’s Deep South to capture the spirit of Song of the South. But, by that point, the executives were very aware of that film’s negative reputation for it’s outdated cultural depictions, so Wolfgang Reitherman decided to keep the film in its traditional English setting, echoing the 1952 live - action - Diseny film The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, and the 1938 classic, the Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn and the late Olivia de Havilland.
MY VERDICT
So, this movie is famous, or possibly INFAMOUS for its lack of production. Many scenes ended up cut, including most of the climax, and I can tell you exactly which scenes were recycled from earlier works like The Aristocats, the Jungle Book and even Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, simply traced over and reworked, essentially mutilatiing the work of previous animators. And yet, even with all these difficulties, I have heard the argument made that this film is the perfect example of showing us what really matters in films, and I would actually agree, having just rewatched it. Now, obviously this is not an argument for taking even more money away from animated films, nor the innovation that continues to drive the industry to this day, but it is irrefutable proof of what can be done simply with character, performance, sequencing and charm.
Is Robin Hood A Disney Classic? It has an endearing charm and a bunch of mostly good songs to keep your entertained. Plus it kept the animation department alive. Definitely at the level of a Disney Classic.
No comments:
Post a Comment