Robin Hood: Most Wanted Edition

You've seen the Errol Flynn, Kevin Costner, and, perhaps—courtesy of Mel Brooks—the Cary Elwes versions of the Robin Hood legend. Now Disney's virtuoso animators present "the story of what really happened in Sherwood Forest." Released in 1973, Robin Hood was the second animated feature produced after Walt Disney's death, and while it doesn't blaze new paths, the film does hit the bull's-eye with its anthropomorphic take on this familiar story, recast with a menagerie of distinctively voiced classic characters. Brian Bedford is the wily fox Robin Hood, the outlaw who "borrows from those who can afford it" to give to the poor, while pining for Maid Marian (Monica Evans), a real vixen. Peter Ustinov is a thumb-sucking lion villainous Prince John, with Terry-Thomas as "silly serpent" Sir Hiss. Phil Harris channels his The Jungle Book's Baloo as Robin's bear sidekick, Little John. Western hands Andy Devine and Pat Buttram add some unaccountable twang and drawl to, respectively, badger Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham (a wolf, naturally). George "Goober" Lindsey and Ken "Festus" Curtis provide further comic relief as vultures Trigger and Nutsy, while "King of the Road" Roger Miller is rooster balladeer Alan-a-Dale. Of the handful of songs, only "Oo-de-lally" is noteworthy. In addition to direction by The Jungle Book's Wolfgang Reitherman, the credits include some of the studio's venerable core animators known as the Nine Old Men (Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas) and some promising young talent (Don Bluth). This “Most Wanted Edition” includes a deleted alternate ending, the Mickey/Minnie Mouse cartoon "Ye Olden Days," a couple of games and a few sing-alongs. While not quite one of Disney's classics, Robin Hood is an entertaining, briskly paced romp that should delight younger kids, although older members of Generation Shrek and adults may—like the evil Sheriff—find it too taxing. A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)