Robin Hood Blu-ray Review

The remastered 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer of "Robin Hood" breathes new life into this classic Disney film. Despite a soft and less impressive opening credits sequence, the transfer balances vibrant and soothing hues marvelously, bringing Sherwood Forest to life without compromising the original palette. Primary colors are playful, black levels are satisfactory, and the filmic contrast maintains its integrity. Detail stands out throughout, although occasional issues with clarity are attributable to the source material and animation cels rather than the transfer itself. The scratchy, sketchy line art has been meticulously preserved, showcasing the hand-painted backgrounds in their authentic glory. Remarkably, artifacting, banding, and aliasing are kept at bay, while ringing is completely absent. Although some de-graining has occurred—a standard Disney practice—the remaining faint grain is most noticeable in darker scenes but does not detract significantly from the viewing experience.

The rougher animation style of "Robin Hood," a stark contrast to Disney's later pristinely animated films, is preserved brilliantly in this HD presentation. The animation's inherent sketchiness, characterized by lines appearing and disappearing as characters move, gives the film a unique charm. Although the opening sequence exhibits some color fluctuation and a gauzy appearance, the movie quickly stabilizes, with stronger and more consistent color fills. The overall visual presentation is robust, vibrant, and devoid of banding or errant noise that isn't part of the original animation. While a Diamond Edition release could have possibly enhanced the visuals further, what has been achieved here is impressive enough to please fans and preserve the film's gritty yet endearing aesthetic. Overall, "Robin Hood" has never looked better on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray release of "Robin Hood" presents an adeptly remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that remains respectful of its original monaural form while providing a compelling modern audio experience. The dialogue is articulate and top-priority, avoiding interference from other elements. While the soundtrack is predominantly front-heavy, there is an occasional yet delicate presence in the rear speakers, allowing for subtle ambient soundscapes and making space for the film's music to shine. The LFE channel delivers sufficient low-frequency energy, enhancing punch and personality during key animated sequences. Despite its vintage origins, the audio track reflects Disney’s meticulous rejuvenation efforts, resulting in a solid and engaging aural presentation.

The updated DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, though not as groundbreaking as Disney's Diamond Editions, still offers a clear and pleasing experience. English 2.0 Dolby Digital, and both French 5.1 DTS-HD High Resolution alongside Spanish and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital options, provide some flexibility for viewers. However, the surround sound effects are somewhat minimal, mainly focusing dialogue up front. Occasionally, the rear speakers activate during scenes like the archery tournament, yet these moments are fleeting. Despite this, the clarity of dialogue and the faithful rendering of the movie's iconic music compensate for any shortcomings, ensuring a nostalgic yet satisfying experience for the audience.

In summary, while "Robin Hood" on Blu-ray may not revolutionize your audio experience with dynamic surround activity, it undoubtedly upholds a high standard of clarity and fidelity, ensuring that the classic essence of the film is preserved and enhanced for modern audiences through its lossless DTS track.

The extras on the "Robin Hood" Blu-ray disc are a robust collection that will captivate both fans and families. The package offers an engaging blend of previously unreleased content and classic Disney nostalgia. The deleted storyline, "Love Letters," offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse through animated black-and-white storyboards, while the alternate ending provides a fresh perspective with an insightful storyboard narrative. The Disney Song Selection and various sing-along features are sure to be favorites for those who love the film's memorable tunes. Furthermore, the addition of the Robin Hood Storybook will entertain younger audiences, and the inclusion of Mickey Mouse in the vintage "Ye Olden Days" short rounds out the selection beautifully. With all this in HD, the visual quality is top-notch, adding immense value for collectors and casual viewers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Storyline Love Letters: Never-before-seen deleted storyline with black-and-white animated storyboards.
• Alternate Ending: Storyboard alternate ending showing Robin Hood injured and King Richard's return.
• Disney Song Selection: Four isolated, subtitled songs from the film.
• Robin Hood Art Gallery: Behind-the-scenes look at original artwork.
• Robin Hood Storybook: Read-along for children.
• Disney Sing-Along: Karaoke-style sing-along with the movie.
• Oo-De-Lally Sing-Along: Vintage sing-along video.
• Bonus Short Ye Olden Days: Classic Mickey Mouse black-and-white short.

Disney’s 1973 animated classic Robin Hood charms with its anthropomorphic adaptation of the legendary hero, although it showcases flaws that prevent it from achieving the status of Disney's most celebrated classics. Set in Nottingham, Robin Hood (voiced by Brian Bedford) teams up with Little John (Phil Harris) to disrupt the corrupt regime of Prince John (Peter Ustinov) and his followers. The film skillfully uses animal characters, with a fox playing Robin and a bear as Little John, though some of the secondary cast, such as Lady Kluck (Carole Shelley), feel hastily constructed.

The film's lighthearted tone and colorful animation captivate children and evoke nostalgia in adults. Despite this, critic appraisal has cooled over time, largely due to production shortcuts. Recycled animation, uninspired villainy, and numerous filler scenes undermine the narrative flow, focusing more on peripheral characters than Robin’s escapades. Budget constraints and production challenges further mar the film’s coherence.

Nevertheless, for those who grew up with Robin Hood, the film remains an endearing piece of childhood nostalgia. Its adventure-filled plot, engaging songs, and animated action sequences have maintained a hold on young audiences, evident from its reception by modern children as well. Though it lacks the timelessness of Disney’s greats, Robin Hood still offers enjoyable entertainment, driven by nostalgic affection for those who cherish its place in their memory.

Disney's "Robin Hood" Blu-ray release stands as a testament to the timeless charm of this delightful adaptation. It might not reside at the pinnacle of Disney's animated masterpieces, but its whimsical nature and endearing characters hold a nostalgic appeal that continues to entertain audiences. The remastered video presentation showcases vibrant colors and crisp details, bringing the forest of Sherwood to life like never before. Coupled with a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, the audio experience is immersive, breathing new life into the classic soundtrack and sound effects.

While some may argue that "Robin Hood" lacks the narrative depth or enduring impact of other Disney classics, its light-heartedness and playful tone offer a unique charm that appeals particularly to those who grew up watching it. If viewed through the prism of childhood memories, the film instantly transports viewers back to simpler times, making it an essential addition for Disney collectors and casual fans alike. The Blu-ray's technical qualities enhance this nostalgia trip, although additional special features would have been a welcome enhancement to the package.

In conclusion, "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.