A pox on the phony King of England! Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men have taken over Sherwood Forest and are living lives of gaiety and adventure, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, thwarting the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and rescuing the fair Maid Marian. There’s a twist to this tale, however – Robin Hood is a fox. No, I don’t mean that he’s good looking – I mean, he’s an actual fox, as is Maid Marian. Little John is a bear, and Friar Tuck is a badger. Each of the characters in this Disney film is portrayed by an animal, which lends an additional appeal to children watching the show. Prince John, voiced by Peter Ustinov, is a lion without a mane (highly significant, given that he doesn’t really have the authority to rule) and his right-hand man doesn’t have any hands at all, but is instead a snake. When vexed, the Prince ties the snake up in knots. It’s quite amusing.
Another typical Disney take on this film is the music that has been added throughout. My favorite is the song I reference in the first line of this blog, “The Phony King of England.” Sung by the villagers to mock Prince John, it lands many of them in jail but not before they’ve exercised their right to speak out. “Love” is a pretty ballad sung by Maid Marian her first night in Sherwood Forest as her feelings for Robin are rekindled. And we mustn’t forget the contribution made by wandering minstrel Alan-a-dale, aptly portrayed by a musical rooster voiced by Roger Miller, who brings us songs like “Oo-da-lolly, Oo-da-lolly, Golly, What a Day” and “Not in Nottingham.”
Swordfights, bears in dresses, romantic kisses by moonlight, adventure, political intrigue – this movie has something in it for everyone. Watch it with your family tonight!
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