Robin Hood
Robin Hood
This film is the Disney version of the legend of the famous Robin Hood, who notoriously and gallatnly robbed the rich to feed the poor, under the nose of the selfish, greedy and buffoonish Prince John. With his band of merry men, Robin and his second-in-command, Little John, Robin Hood tries to establish balance and justice in the kingdom (in a state of poverty and disarray since King Richard went to fight in the Crusades). Always eluding arrest, Robin and Little John are very good at what they do. At the start of the film, Robin Hood and Little John find a prime situation to get some funds from Prince John. Dressed as gypsies and fortune tellers to distract Prince John, his assistant Sir Hiss, and his guards, they manage to steal nearly all of the gold in John's caravan. Prince John's niece, the demure and sweet Maid Marian was Robin Hood's childhood sweetheart, and she dreams of the day when they can be together. Robin has a bounty on his head, but no one would turn him in, since he is the champion of the peasants. When Prince John arranges an archery contest, in another effort to capture Robin Hood, Robin enters disguised as a stork, determined to win and have a chance to be near Marian. Marian recognizes him and is thrilled he's returned. When Robin is discovered, he's almost captured, but escapes, with Marian, and takes her to Sherwood Forest to celebrate their victory with the merry men. Furious at having been thwarted again, Prince John forces even more stringent taxes on the peasants, causing them to be imprisoned, due to being unable to pay, and has Friar Tuck arrested, and sentenced to execution by hanging, sure that Robin Hood would appear to save him. Robin does appear, and after releasing the prisoners, steals the last of Prince John's private stash from his own bed chambers. After a battle with the guards, and nearly being caught and killed, Robin Hood falls, seemingly to his doom, to the moat. But, clever as always, he escapes by pretending to drown. King Richard returns, and Robin Hood and Marian are finally able to be married.
Robin Hood is voiced by Brian Bedford.
You are an inspiration to me, you've been a true friend through some of my hardest times, and I'm thankful that you came into my life when you did. You have represented everything that's good and important, and have been a shining example of compassion and choosing the right. Thanks for everything, you're the very best.
Happy 25th Birthday!!!
DG
Watching this film again after several years, I was delighted and charmed at how brilliant the characters are, and how funny the script is. The story is fairly straight-forward, simple, but effective. Robin Hood is a classic rogue, and Maid Marian is a perfect companion for him, sweet but clever. This is one of the great Disney films of the 70s, and it's definitely a classic, very entertaining.
Little John: You're burning the chow!
Robin Hood: Sorry, Johnny. I guess I was thinking about Maid Marian again. I can't help it. I love her, Johnny.
Little John: Look, why don't ya stop moanin' and mopin' around? J-Just marry the girl.
Robin Hood: Marry her? You don't just walk up to a girl, hand her a bouquet and say, "Hey, remember me? We were kids together. Will you marry me?" No, it just isn't done that way.
Little John: Ah, come one, Robby. Climb the castle walls. Sweep her off her feet. Carry her off in style.
Robin Hood: It's no use, Johnny. I've thought it all out, and it just wouldn't work. Besides, what have I got to offer her?
Little John: Well, for one thing, you can't cook.
Robin Hood: I'm serious Johnny. She's a highborn lady of quality.
Little John: So she's got class. So what?
Robin Hood: I'm an outlaw. That's what. That's no life for a lovely lady. Always on the run. What kind of a future is that?
Friar Tuck: Oh, for heaven's sake, son. You're no outlaw. Why, someday, you'll be called a great hero.
Robin Hood: A hero? Did you hear that, Johnny? We've just been pardoned!
Little John: Oh, that's a gas. We ain't even been arrested yet.
Little John: You know somethin', Robin. I was just wonderin', are we good guys or bad guys? You know, I mean, uh… Our robbin' the rich to feed the poor.
Robin Hood: Rob? Tsk tsk tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.
Little John: Borrow? Boy, are we in debt.
Prince John: I sentence you to sudden, instant, and even immediate death!
Marian: Oh, no. Please. Please, sire. I beg of you to spare his life. Please have mercy.
Prince John: My dear, emotional lady, why should I?
Marian: Because I love him, Your Highness.
Prince John: Love him? And does this prisoner return your love?
Robin Hood: Marian, my darling, I love you more than life itself.
Robin Hood: Faint hearts never won fair lady.
Maid Marian's Animated Heroines page