Robin Hood (1973) Review

Growing up, we didn't have a lot of Disney movies in our house because we simply couldn't afford them. Back then, getting to rent a Disney tape from Blockbuster was a rare, special treat. But Robin Hood was one of the very few VHS tapes we actually owned, which made it a huge part of my childhood.

Watching the movie back as an adult, I see how well it holds up. Beyond the nostalgic humor, it carries a powerful message: it's a constant reminder to us of who holds the real power, and a sharp warning to our kings.

The Characters & Voice Talent

Little John (Phil Harris): As a kid, I loved "Baloo" in this movie, even though he isn't technically Baloo! Disney brought back the legendary Phil Harris (who voiced Baloo in The Jungle Book and Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats) to play Little John. He brought that same warm, easygoing charm to the role.
Sir Hiss (Terry-Thomas) & Prince John (Peter Ustinov): In my child's mind, I loved all the hilarious abuse heaped onto poor little Sir Hiss! The slithering advisor was just trying to do his job while dealing with a thumb-sucking, toddler-tantrum-throwing Prince John.
The Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram): The villain you love to hate. Voiced by veteran Western actor Pat Buttram, the Sheriff was absolute perfection as the greedy tax collector chasing down every last farthing.
Friar Tuck (Andy Devine): A standout character who added so much heart and grit to the rebellion.

Deep Dive: Recycled Animation & My Video

When I was younger, I didn't notice that Disney recycled full dance sequences from earlier films into Robin Hood. But once you see it, you can't unsee it!

During the "Phony King of England" dance scene, the animators reused rotoscoped character movements straight from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), The Jungle Book (1967), and The Aristocats (1970). Maid Marian's dance moves match Snow White, Little John dances identical steps to Baloo, and Lady Cluck mirrors Duchess!

I broke down these exact frame-by-frame details and hidden production secrets in my breakdown video: