DVD Corner

Robin Hood Blu-ray Review

“Robin Hood” is an underrated Disney gem.

When it comes to classic Disney animated films, “Pinocchio” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” tend to get the most attention and deservedly so. They were groundbreaking works of animation that have stood the test of time. While the film did not make much of an impact at the box office or in terms of the history of animation, Disney’s “Robin Hood” is one of the best and most underrated of their pre-80’s work.

We’ve all seen a number of films featuring the title character sweeping Marian off of her feet, battling against the evil Prince John and Sheriff of Nottingham and robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, but to this day, we’ve never seen an adaptation such as this. While it may seem like a simple animal centric version on the surface, the folksy themed “Robin Hood” proves to be both smart and fitting. Having Allan-a-Dale narrate the story (and even some scenes) with peppy (“Oo-de-lally”) and dark (“Not In Nottingham”) folk songs is truly inspired for the story and completely relevant to the time period in which the film was made. It’s something that honestly never occurred to me until I watched it for the first time in many, many years.

While some purists may argue that the Disney version waters the story down, I have to disagree. Is it a more cutesy version of the story? Sure, but the film still has the perfect mix of joy, action, and tragedy. Yes, the film does have some scenes I can do without ala the running tent and football scenes, but a lot of the humor works because it directly applies to either the fantastic chemistry between Robin Hood and Little John or the thumb sucking Prince John and Sir Hiss. It is the scenes with these 4 characters that makes the film so memorable and so cherished after all of these years.

Summary: Disney doesn’t make them like this anymore and I wish they did! I whole heartedly recommend the Blu-ray edition of “Robin Hood.”

Video/Audio:

“Robin Hood,” which is presented in widescreen 1080p, has finally been given a proper hi-def restoration. Despite the fact that dirt specs pop up here and there, the animated feature film has never looked better. Just marvel at the colors and exquisite hand drawn animation to see what I mean.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA offers much more depth to the audio department (especially the music). You will be hard pressed not to have one of the film’s several tunes stuck in your head for days on end.

Extras:
* DVD copy and digital copy.
* Disney trailers.
* A storyboarded alternate ending. It’s not hard to see why this was cut as the tone doesn’t fit the movie.
* Song selections for “Oo-de-lally,” “Love,” and “The Phony King of England.”
* “Robin Hood’s Merry Games”- Games for the kids.
* A “Robin Hood” still art gallery and video art gallery.
*  “Oo-de-lally” sing-along song and a sing-along version of the movie.
*  “Ye Olden Days”- A B&W music Disney animated short with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. Not exactly a classic, but worth a watch for Disney fans.
* “Robin Hood Storybook” (Blu-ray only)- A virtual storybook.
* “Deleted Storyline: Love Letters” (Blu-ray only)- Another storyboarded deleted scene with Prince John trying to set up a trap for Robin Hood.

August 6, 2013 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Animated Robin Hood, Disney's Robin Hood Blu-ray Review, Little John, Prince John, Robin Hood 1973, Robin Hood Blu-ray Review, Robin Hood Songs