The Sword in the Stone (45th Anniversary Special Edition)
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 Not in Widescreen I am so disappointed that the team at Walt Disney are releasing their videos full screen. I have the old VHS tape and the gold classic of all their films and rebuy them on DVD when they are presented in the original aspect ratio. All films have been made in some form of widescreen since 1953. 101 Dalmations includes a theatrical release in 2.35 but they chose to give us only 1.33 No need to buy. They did the same on The Sword in the Stone. They released Lady and the Tramp and Sleeping Beauty in 2.35 why not these? Such a disappointment to not have these films as originally intended especially since it's 2008! Come on Disney-get with the times!  All in A Knight's Work for Disney's Occassionally Dull "Sword" Released Christmas Day 1963, Walt Disney's "The Sword In The Stone" is the studio's "in-between" film in its "London cycle" (six UK-set films over 20 years, 1952-1972). It retells King Arthur's (here called Wart) apprenticeship under Merlin the Magician and his path to the throne, drawn from T.H. White's 1938 fantasy novel. The film, re-released on DVD in a 45th Anniversary edition, zigzags through British folklore and character while name-dropping out-of-place modern touches. (Merlin anticipates airplanes and steam locomotives, yes. Merlin in Bermuda shorts calling movies "TV without commercials," no.) It lacks the historic focus, whimsy or cheeky humor of "101 Dalmatians" or "Mary Poppins." Those films preceded and followed "Stone" in release, romanticizing modern-day and Victorian Britain and staying beloved in theater and video re-releases. They, unlike "Sword," stayed cohesive and, well, sharp. But despite lack of critical praise at release and relative low standing in Disney's canon, "The Sword In The Stone" isn't a total stick in the mud. It features some fine animated sequences (Mad Madam Mim's delightfully cruella solo to young Wart as a sparrow, and her clever, multi-colored wizard's duel with Merlin.) Disney regulars Sebastian Cabot and Thurl Ravenscroft join Alan Napier (remember Alfred the butler from the 1960s "Batman" show?) in a uniformly fine voice cast. Richard and Robert Sherman (honored in a humorous DVD extra) contribute some catchy, nonsensical compositions (led by Merlin counting off like Lawrence Welk and including some trademark bubbles)! Other DVD extras include medieval-themed shorts (the better being Mickey Mouse's "The Brave Little Tailor"), a DVD art scrapbook and game, "Merlin's Magical Academy" (yours truly's son played it and said, "It was all right.") Overall, "Sword In The Stone" is nowhere near the roundtable of Disney's classics, modern or otherwise. But it's a solid choice for Disney completists wanting a fun video knight.  How is this not a masterpiece? This is my favorite disney, ever. Catchy sing alongs, great animation, fun villain, wizard. Seriously, if this was a movie that had Merlin in front of a blue screen for 2 hours, it would still be five stars. Merlin is the very epitome of sympathetic magician, offering pithy wisdom here and there, including the famous line "don't go thinking magic will solve all of your problems, because it won't!" Not only is he quite powerful, he's also a bit distracted now and then, and trying to justify his philosophies to his `pet' owl. Merlin's opposite, a self-proclaimed fan of evil, Mim, is far and away the most excellent villain in all of disney's movies. She's fun, singy, and not to mention, genuinely evil. My favorite line of her's: "Merlin! The world's most powerful bungler!" Arthur himself is extremely cool, as your standard, fumbly, somewhat wideyed, naive kid. He's got a heart of gold though, and a real spark. Other awesome characters include Pellinore, Kay, the wolf, Archimedes and a rather impudent set of crockery. Seriously, this movie is completely made of win. "Yes! Bermuda and the 20th century... And believe me you can have it! One big modern mess! Alacazam!" Merlin My Favorite Disney Movie THE SWORD IN THE STONE has always been my favorite Disney animated film. Why? The answer is quite simple really. I saw it when I was a kid on its initial release in the downtown theater, I had a great time and I have very fond memories of the movie and the entire experience of going to see it with my family and friends. Isn't that what Walt Disney had in mind? It wasn't until years later and I had my own child that I began to realize that not many people even remembered THE SWORD IN THE STONE or knew it even existed. I was rather flabbergasted by this not to mention all the bad press this film had received as I started researching it. My most cherished copy of this film has always been on Laserdisc, but now it looks like THE SWORD IN THE STONE is finally getting some well deserved recognition. I love this film and the artwork is very reminiscent of ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS and the relationship between Merlin and Wart and the development of those characters is pure Walt Disney. Savor the best of times. Thanks Walt. | |||||||||||||
