Plot:
Minstrel Alan-a-Dale narrates the story. One day while walking through
Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and Little John are nearly captured by the
Sheriff of Nottingham and his band of archers but escape. They learn that
the arrogant, greedy, and immature Prince John will be traveling through
the forest and plan to rob his caravan. They steal a great deal of gold,
embarrassing Prince John who promises revenge, and give it to the
overtaxed villagers of Nottingham. After Robin gives his hat, bow, and
arrow to the oldest child of a family of rabbits, named Skippy, for his
birthday, he tries it out, and accidentally fires an arrow into the
courtyard of Prince John's castle. While retrieving it, Skippy and his
friends meet Maid Marian and her lady-in-waiting Lady Kluck. Skippy's hat
and arrow remind Marian of Robin Hood and she reveals that they were
childhood sweethearts. Later, she wonders to Lady Kluck if Robin still
remembers her.
Meanwhile, Robin is lazily thinking of Marian at his and Little John's
hideaway in Sherwood Forest when local priest Friar Tuck brings news that
Prince John will be hosting an archery tournament, with the grand prize
being a kiss from Maid Marian. Robin, disguised as a stork and Little John
as the Duke of Chutney, wins the competition, but Prince John sees through
Robin's disguise and sentences him to death after Robin accuses him of
stealing King Richard's throne. Marian makes an emotional plea for Robin's
life where they proclaim their love for each other, but Prince John is
unmoved. Little John gets Robin released by threatening Prince John with a
dagger in his back, but when the Sheriff of Nottingham intervenes, Prince
John again orders Robin's death. The Nottingham villagers fight Prince
John's soldiers, and Robin, Marian, Lady Kluck, and Little John escape.
Robin and Marian share a romantic evening, then are surprised by the
Nottingham villagers celebrating their victory. They sing “The Phony King
of England” about Prince John's fraud and incompetence which becomes
popular in Nottingham. When Prince John overhears his advisor, Sir Hiss,
and the Sheriff singing it, he triples the taxes on the villagers out of
anger. The Sheriff visits Friar Tuck's church and enrages him when he
takes a gold coin out of the poor box. Friar Tuck attacks him with a
quarterstaff and is arrested for high treason. Prince John orders his
execution as bait to trap Robin Hood.
The night before the execution, Robin and Little John break into the jail,
free the villagers, and divide Prince John's gold among them. Hiss awakens
and tries to stop them, waking the castle. The villagers escape, but Robin
is caught inside after saving one of Skippy's younger siblings. The
Sheriff chases Robin through the castle with a lit torch, setting the
tallest tower on fire. Trapped at the top, Robin jumps into the moat below
and attempts to swim to shore. Prince John's archers fire at him and,
initially, Little John thinks Robin has been killed, but he reaches
safety. Sir Hiss criticizes Prince John for the plot which resulted in
nothing but his mother's castle being destroyed. Infuriated, Prince John
chases him through the flames.
Later on, Alan-a-dale explains that King Richard returned, put Prince
John, Sir Hiss, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in prison, pardoned Robin
Hood, and forgave the villagers' taxes. Robin and Marian are married and
drive through Sherwood Forest towards the sunset.
Details:
. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman
. Story by Larry Clemmons, Ken Anderson, Vance Gerry, Frank Thomas, Eric
Cleworth, Julius Svendsen, David Michener
. Based on The legend of Robin Hood
. Produced by Wolfgang Reitherman
. Starring: Peter Ustinov, Phil Harris, Brian Bedford, Terry-Thomas, Roger
Miller, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey, Andy Devine
. Edited by Tom Acosta, Jim Melton
. Music by George Bruns
. Production company: Walt Disney Productions
. Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
. Release date: November 8, 1973
. Running time: 83 minutes
. Country: United States
. DVD Language: English, French
. Budget: $5 million
. Box office: $33 million
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