Robin Hood (1973)
- During the filming of Robin Hood, Brian Bedford improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Wolfgang Reitherman's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
- Wolfgang Reitherman originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
Robin Hood is a 1973 American animated musical comedy produced by Walt Disney Productions, directed by Wolfgang Reitherman. The film reimagines the legend of Robin Hood with anthropomorphic animals โ Robin Hood is a charming fox voiced by Brian Bedford, Little John is a lovable bear voiced by Phil Harris, and the villainous Prince John is a cowardly lion voiced by Peter Ustinov, who sucks his thumb and cries for his mother when upset. Robin and his Merry Men rob from Prince John and his tax collectors to return money to the poor villagers of Nottingham while Robin courts Maid Marian, a vixen voiced by Monica Evans.
The film was produced during one of Disney's lean periods, and animation was recycled from earlier Disney films including The Jungle Book and Snow White to reduce costs โ a practice that animation fans have since documented extensively. Despite the budget constraints, Robin Hood's charm, humor, and memorable characters made it a lasting favorite. Peter Ustinov's sniveling, petulant Prince John was one of Disney's most entertainingly pathetic villains.
The film earned $32 million in its initial release and found its largest audience through home video.
