I’m so giddy-excited for this next film. I watched it for the first time during the initial version of this project and I have been waiting impatiently until I could work on this film again for the project. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
Update: In February 2022, I started a video version of the DFP on Tiktok. You can find the video below. Thoughts expressed in the video may be different than what are expressed in the blog post, due to the time difference in posting.
A Brief Summary
King Richard the Lionheart rides with his knights to the Crusades. Back in England, his brother, Prince John, rules from the throne, the Sheriff of Nottingham at his side. Despite his plan to overthrow the King, an outlawed band, run by Robin Hood and his men, defy the Prince and Sheriff at every turn. When the King is captured in Austria, Robin and his men must race to hold back Prince John and the Sheriff until the true King can be restored. Includes lots of archery, deception and true love.
What works
- Allan-a-dale is our helpful minstrel/narrator in this movie. Of course, he does have some help: Like Cinderella and a small handful of others before, Robin Hood opens in a GORGEOUS leather-bound book (but seriously, I want the book). But while there are several pages shown throughout the movie, they appear to serve as more of a minor storytelling role than how they were utilized in Cinderella or Snow White.
- This is both the origin story and main adventure for Robin Hood, which I appreciate because character motivation is a big thing for me. It answers questions such as how Robin Hood became an outlaw, his history with Maid Marian and the involvement of Little John.
- Prince John reminds me of Prince Humperdink from The Princess Bride. John’s quite clever but a chess player he is not. Perhaps if he hadn’t been so flattered by the Sheriff’s praise of the new plan for taxes, he would have rethought his strategy.
- This movie so reminds me of a game of chess, Prince John and the Sheriff on one side of the board, Robin Hood and his band on the other side of the board. Yet it is the opening portion of the film, prior to Robin becoming an outlaw that actually sets the game in motion.
- Maid Marian is established to be temporarily a member of the Queen’s household while her father rides with King Richard on the Crusade. She possibly provides the greatest asset to Robin and his band.
- The Sheriff of Nottingham was only promoted to that position because the original Sheriff pledged loyalty to the King. With given such an opportunity as to find a new Sheriff, how could Prince John refuse?
- The realization that if the sheriff hadn’t have had Robin’s father killed, he would not have created his and Prince John’s most free enemy. Outlaw or not, Robin’s banishment meant no taxes to be paid so was that the smartest move? I don’t think so.
- I’m actually impressed at how involved the Sheriff is with Nottingham. True, the majority (apparently the vastmajority) of his men spend time collecting taxes (probably why they’re not seen in the movie haha) but the Sheriff is
- You know, for once I agree with Prince John. Getting upset over a lack of force (because they’re collecting the taxes to maintain them) and then having Robin Hood and his band save two men rather than get captured? Yeah, I’d be upset too. Though, to be honest, why they don’t decide to come up with a new strategy, I don’t know. Clearly, the Sheriff doesn’t have any good ideas.
- While
What may or may not work
- After Friar Tuck’s most marvelous song, he and Robin Hood have a ‘battle of wits’ or something like that (or a battle of brawn since each carried the other across the nearby river), and I’m not sure why. The end result of the entire scene? Friar Tuck joins the Merrie band. Other than being entertaining (which it was), why was it included? I’m not talking about the sword fight between Robin and Friar Tuck (where Robin Hood looked a bit like Peter Pan with his dagger), but rather the repeated crossing of the river. That part, though entertaining, doesn’t fully make sense to me.
Honorable Mentions
- Not going to lie, but the way Prince John holds his hands, it’s as if he’s never done a day of work in his life. Probably accurate but it’s almost dainty which fits him SO WELL.
- The first meeting of Little John and his christening. Tis the gift that keeps on giving.
- Friar Tuck’s song. Oh, my friends, you have not LIVED until you listen to his song.
- Another song shout out: “Whistle My Love” sung by Allan-a-dale (Ethan Hayes) is SO BEAUTIFUL.
Side Questions
- Seriously, how do Robin and his men organize themselves? It’s so intricately detailed, with colored arrows and watching from certain parts of the forest. King Richard has returned so can we share the strategy now?
- The Sheriff PROMISED to go personally and capture Robin Hood. Instead, he got captured, lost men and yet gets no seen punishment from Prince John. What the heck?
- How do the Sheriff and his men go YEARS without finding the Sherwood Forest hideout and yet King Richard who’s been GONE for years, finds them shortly after arriving back in England. How does that work?
What I learned from watching this film
- So I mentioned above about how this version shared some of the origins of Robin Hood, Maid Marian and etc. Yet it is not an all-encompassing origin story and for that I am grateful. As much as I would love to know how each of the Merrie Men came to join the outlawed band, I’d prefer a bonus list, not a detailed explanation in the film. Only 3 men are actually shown joining the Merrie Men. Two were saved from the Sheriff’s cruel punishment and the last, Little John, had an entertaining battle scene with Robin Hood. While the 2 earlier men had solid and gave solid reasons for joining up with Robin Hood, Little John gave no such motivation other than his intent to join up “and I don’t care who knows it”.
- Why do I bring this up? A character’s backstory is important. I’ve said before how important character motivation is to me. It defines the character’s choices, can create conflict or restore hope within the greater storyline. But sometimes more information is just too much. Such is the case in this picture. As much as I would love to know how each of the men came to join, it would take away too much time, precious time, away from the story and halt the progression until the movie is more about how Robin Hood found each of his men and not what they did to save England. And to lose that story, would be the saddest story of all.
If you’ve seen The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, what did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Skip back to the previous film with Alice in Wonderland
Fast Forward to the next film with Peter Pan
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