7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.4 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A long time ago, in a faraway land, legend tells an extraordinary tale of courage and friendship.... Get ready for swashbuckling adventure, unforgettable characters, memorable music, and lots of laughs in Disney's ROBIN HOOD. Heroic Robin Hood -- along with his trusted companion Little John and his devoted band of merry men -- conjures up one famously funny and daring deed after another to outfox greedy Prince John and bring happiness to the residents of Sherwood Forest.
Starring: Peter Ustinov, Terry-Thomas, Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris (I)Family | 100% |
Animation | 86% |
Adventure | 57% |
Comedy | 45% |
Heist | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.75:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD HR 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (as download)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Thanks to the August 6th Blu-ray debuts of The Sword in the Stone (1963), Robin Hood (1973) and Oliver & Company (1988), only fourteen theatrically released Disney Animated Classics remain, two of which -- The Little Mermaid and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh -- are already set to arrive later this year. It's hard to believe that just five years ago the beautifully remastered release of Sleeping Beauty (followed by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 2009) hinted at a then faraway, now closer than ever future in which Disney's entire animated features canon is available in high definition. No, the Mouse House hasn't always led fans and purists down the smoothest of restoration roads (The Fox and the Hound), but it's been an exciting journey with far more peaks than valleys, and 2015 looks to be the year that it reaches its long-awaited end. For now, though, completists have a new batch of classics to enjoy, the most beloved being Robin Hood, a flawed but endearing bit of childhood nostalgia that holds a special place in many a fan's heart.
Partners in crime...
After a somewhat alarmingly soft, less than impressive opening credits sequence, Robin Hood's remastered 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer begins earning its keep. Cool, soothing hues bring Sherwood to lovely watercolor life, without boosting colors or doing anything more invasive that might undermine the filmmakers' original palette. Primaries are playful, black levels are satisfying, and contrast is filmic without growing too dull or diluted. Detail is notable as well, and the only times clarity proves problematic is when the source, print or animation cels are to blame. The animators' scratchy, sketchy line art has been preserved and put on full display, imperfections and all, and the hand-painted backgrounds follow suit. Moreover, significant artifacting, banding and aliasing are held at bay, and ringing is nowhere to be found. The film has obviously been de-grained to some degree, a common practice Disney has employed in restoring and remastering the bulk of its animated catalog. And while that will no doubt come as a disappointment to purists, there fortunately aren't any major repercussions to report (major being the key word). In fact, a faint veneer of grain remains, even though it's really only apparent in darker scenes. A number of lingering specks and spots also pepper the print, but, again, none of it amounts to an issue of consequence. All in all, Robin Hood has never looked better. Fans will be pleased.
Robin Hood features an able-bodied DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that, six-channel remix or no, doesn't drift too far from the film's original monaural path. Voices are clear, intelligible and properly prioritized, effects rarely crowd the soundscape, and noise and hiss aren't frequent offenders. Though largely a front-heavy affair, delicate ambience and the movie's music still find their way into the rear speakers, and the LFE channel provides just enough weight to give the animated action and comedy welcome punch and personality. At its core, Robin Hood still sounds like an animated feature made forty years ago, but that hardly should be held against Disney or its carefully rejuvenated lossless track. A solid presentation all around.
Robin Hood will continue to hold a special place in many fans' hearts. It still has a home in mine. But it's possible to enjoy a trip down nostalgia lane without getting lost along the way. The film doesn't hold up next to other Disney classics, and feels more lightweight and aimless than an animated adaptation of the Hood mythos should. Oh, there's still plenty of fun to be had, sure. Just none that grabs hold of the imagination or lingers long after the credits roll. Disney's Blu-ray release is better, with a commendably remastered video presentation and a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, but a few more supplements would have gone a long way. Even so, Robin Hood deserves a place on every Disney collector's shelves. It may not be among the best of the studio's animated features, but that doesn't mean it deserves to be forgotten.
40th Anniversary Edition | 3D Card DMC Exclusive
1973
40th Anniversary Edition | DVD Packaging
1973
Disney100 Edition with Collectible Pin
1973
Disney100
1973
The Signature Collection
1961
Special Edition
1970
1963
Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1942
1990
2003
2012
1981
1967
1977
2006
2009
1977
2005
2000
2008
2006
2010
2008
2014