I think Robin Hood is one of the most underrated Disney films. It's not that anybody dislikes it (How could they?), it's just that it tends to get lost in the shuffle. Maybe because it so closely resembles The Jungle Book people mistake it for a rip off.
The most notable thing about this film is its bizarre medieval English setting populated by American Western character actors. Actually, it's a combination of British and Western accents, which makes even less sense than if they all had the same anachronistic accent. Yet, somehow, it works. White-hatted cowboys are our knights in shinning armor. So why not cast the oily salesman from "Green Acres" as the Sheriff of Nottingham?
Okay, now that I've typed that out it does seem a little silly. Best not to think about it too much and just enjoy the show.
And what a show it is! It's got action, adventure, romance, comedy and pathos (Remember that heart-breaking jail scene?). You're not going to find many better examples of the cinema-as-pure-entertainment model than this. It was made back when "family" movies meant enjoyable for people of all ages, not some slop lazily thrown together for undiscriminating toddlers.
The only problem I have with this film is that the ending seems very abrupt. The climax is a daring midnight raid on the royal treasury that culminates in the apparent drowning of Robin Hood. But then our hero emerges from the water and the film cuts to King Richard's return and the restoration of justice to the land. It's not just that it's a complete deus ex machina ending, it's that they skip from John running things to Richard being in power. It seems like there's an important scene missing. Oh well, I guess it's a good idea to wrap things up before you wear out your welcome.
How could I have forgotten to mention the awesome music?
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