Robin Hood (Disney character)

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Robin Hood
Robin Hood character
Robin Hood Disney character.png
Robin Hood, as seen in the 1973 film of the same name
First appearance
Based on Robin Hood
Reynard the Fox
Voiced by Brian Bedford (1973 film)
Daniel Wolfe ( Once Upon a Studio )
In-universe information
Species Red fox
GenderMale
Spouse Maid Marian [1]
RelativesKing Richard (uncle-in-law)
Prince John (uncle-in-law)
Origin Nottingham
NationalityEnglish

Robin Hood is a fictional character in Walt Disney Animation Studios' animated feature film Robin Hood (1973). Robin Hood is voiced by Shakespearean and Tony Award winning actor Brian Bedford. The film is based on the legends of Robin Hood and Reynard the fox, a 12th-century Alsatian fairy tale character, [2] but uses anthropomorphic animals rather than people; in Robin's case being a red fox. The story follows the adventures of Robin Hood, Little John and the inhabitants of Nottingham as they fight against the excessive taxation of Prince John, and Robin Hood wins the hand of Maid Marian. [3] [4]

Contents

In Robin Hood

Robin Hood is the protagonist of the film Robin Hood (1973). He does not see himself as a criminal but as a hero. Although Robin Hood is often shown as an outlaw who chooses to rob from the rich to help the poor people, in this animated version, he is shown mainly attacking Prince John and his agents, who have impoverished Nottingham with high taxes. Robin Hood and Little John steal the tax caravans [5] and give it back to the peasants while trying to avoid capture by both Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. He is also in love with Maid Marian.

Maid Marian reveals she and Robin were childhood sweethearts but they have not seen one another for years. Prince John is hosting an archery tournament, and the winner will receive a kiss from Maid Marian. Robin decides to participate in the tournament disguised as a stork whilst Little John disguises himself as the Duke of Chutney to get near Prince John. Robin wins the tournament, but Prince John exposes him and sentences him to death despite Maid Marian's pleas. However, thanks to Little John, Robin escapes into the woods with Marian.

As Robin and Maid Marian enjoy their reunion, the townsfolk have a troubadour festival spoofing Prince John, describing him as the "Phony King of England", and the song soon becomes popular with John's soldiers. A paltry coin gets deposited into the poor box at Friar Tuck's church, which gets seized by the Sheriff. Friar Tuck lashes out at the Sheriff, to which he is quickly arrested. Prince John orders Friar Tuck hanged, knowing Robin Hood will come out of hiding to rescue his friend.

Robin and Little John sneak in, with Little John managing to free all of the prisoners whilst Robin steals Prince John's taxes, but Sir Hiss awakens to find Robin fleeing. Chaos follows as Robin and the others try to escape to Sherwood Forest. The Sheriff corners Robin after he returns to rescue Tagalong, a young rabbit and Skippy’s younger sister who was nearly left behind. During the chase, Prince John's castle catches fire and the Sheriff figures he has Robin where he wants him, either to be captured, burned, or make a risky jump into the moat. Robin Hood elects to jump. Little John and Skippy fear Robin is lost, but he surfaces safely after using a reed as a breathing tube.

Later, King Richard returns to England, placing his brother, Sir Hiss and the Sheriff under arrest and allows his niece Maid Marian to marry Robin Hood, turning the former outlaw into an in-law. [6]

Inspiration for the character

Medieval historian Andrew E. Larsen wrote that the inspiration for Disney's animated Robin Hood character was not actually the Robin Hood of literary and cinematic fame but instead was Reynard the fox, a 12th century Alsatian fairy tale character. Larsen drew parallels between many of the characters from the animated film and characters in the Reynard tales, including the lion King Leo and the rooster Chaunticleer. Disney was able to overcome concerns about Reynard being a crook and anti-authoritarian figure by turning him into the bandit Robin Hood. [7]

Characteristics and physical appearance

Characteristics

Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. He is known for his mastery of archery as well as his talent for disguising himself. Despite being declared an outlaw, Robin Hood is a good and generous person at heart, and is beloved by the townspeople for his deeds. [8]

Physical appearance

Robin Hood is a slender red fox with brown eyes who wears a yellow hat with a red feather on it, but later changed to green, and wears green clothing and shoes. [9] [10]

Voice actor

Tony Award winning stage and Shakespearean actor Brian Bedford provided the voice of Robin Hood. [2] His voicing was acclaimed for giving "...the titular fox a pleasant blend of mischief and gracious dignity." [5]

Cosmopolitan called Robin Hood "the sexiest animated fox ever to appear on screen". [11] Hollywood writer James Humphreys writing on his web site Cineramble discussed the evolution of Robin Hood in Cinema, and described the animated Robin Hood as a "...clear sign of just how universally effective Robin Hood is as a big screen hero." [12]

Other appearances

Film and television

Robin Hood has recurring cameo appearances in the television series House of Mouse , as a guest of the titular club. [13]

Robin (voiced by Daniel Wolfe) is also one of the several characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios that appears in the 2023 short film Once Upon a Studio . [14]

Theme parks

Robin Hood is a meet-and-greet character at Disney Parks, where he occasionally appears in Fantasyland alongside Little John and Maid Marian. [15]

Video games

In Disney Universe , a costume of Robin Hood was available for the player in the game. [16]

A townspeople with Robin Hood costume can be unlocked in Disney Infinity .

In the world building game Disney Magic Kingdoms , Robin Hood appears as playable character to unlock for a limited time. [17]

Robin Hood appears as a playable character in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode . [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Hood</span> Heroic outlaw in English folklore

Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depicted as being of noble birth, and in modern retellings he is sometimes depicted as having fought in the Crusades before returning to England to find his lands taken by the Sheriff. In the oldest known versions, he is instead a member of the yeoman class. He is traditionally depicted dressed in Lincoln green.

<i>The Adventures of Robin Hood</i> 1938 film by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley

The Adventures of Robin Hood is a 1938 American epic swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and written by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton I. Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy of Gisbourne</span> English folklore character from Robin Hood

Sir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. He first appears in "Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne", where he is an assassin who attempts to kill Robin Hood but is killed by him. In later depictions, he has become a romantic rival to Robin Hood for Maid Marian's love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maid Marian</span> Love interest of Robin Hood in English folklore

Maid Marian is the heroine of the Robin Hood legend in English folklore, often taken to be his lover. She is not mentioned in the early, medieval versions of the legend, but was the subject of at least two plays by 1600. Her history and circumstances are obscure, but she commanded high respect in Robin’s circle for her courage and independence as well as her beauty and loyalty. For this reason, she is celebrated by feminist commentators as one of the early strong female characters in English literature.

<i>The Story of Robin Hood</i> (film) 1952 film by Ken Annakin

The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men is a 1952 action-adventure film produced by RKO-Walt Disney British Productions, based on the Robin Hood legend, made in Technicolor and filmed in Buckinghamshire, England. It was written by Lawrence Edward Watkin and directed by Ken Annakin. It is the second of Disney's complete live-action films, after Treasure Island (1950), and the first of four films Annakin directed for Disney.

<i>Robin Hood</i> (1973 film) Disney film

Robin Hood is a 1973 American animated musical adventure comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Distribution. Produced and directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, it is based on the English folktale "Robin Hood". Taking place in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, the story follows the adventures of Robin Hood, Little John, and the inhabitants of Nottingham as they fight against the excessive taxation of Prince John, and Robin Hood wins the hand of Maid Marian. The film features the voices of Brian Bedford, Phil Harris, Peter Ustinov, Pat Buttram, Monica Evans, Terry-Thomas, Roger Miller, and Carole Shelley.

<i>Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood</i> 1991 video game

Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood is a graphic adventure game designed by Christy Marx and published by Sierra On-Line in 1991. It is the second and final part of the Conquests series, which begins with Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail. It features VGA graphics and Sierra's standard icon-driven interface first seen in King's Quest V.

Alan-a-Dale is a figure in the Robin Hood legend. According to the stories, he was a wandering minstrel who became a member of Robin's band of outlaws, the "Merry Men".

Will Scarlet is a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He is present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son.

<i>Robin Hood</i> (1991 British film) 1991 British film

Robin Hood is a 1991 British adventure film directed by John Irvin, executive produced by John McTiernan, and starring Patrick Bergin, Uma Thurman, Jürgen Prochnow, Jeroen Krabbé, and Edward Fox. Although originally intended for a theatrical release in the United States and South America, the film instead premiered on television, on the Fox network in those territories a month before the release of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It was released in cinemas in several countries in Europe and elsewhere, including Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merry Men</span> Outlaw group following Robin Hood

The Merry Men are the group of outlaws who follow Robin Hood in English literature and folklore. The group appears in the earliest ballads about Robin Hood and remains popular in modern adaptations.

<i>The Outlaws of Sherwood</i> 1988 novel by Robin McKinley

The Outlaws of Sherwood is a retelling of the legend of Robin Hood by Robin McKinley. In McKinley's afterword, she says, "The retellings through the centuries have echoed concurrent preoccupations." The story includes both the traditional Robin Hood characters — Little John, Much, Friar Tuck, Marian and Alan-a-dale — and characters of McKinley's own invention. Notably, three of the most important characters are women, all of whom escape marriage to prospective spouses chosen by their fathers.

The Sheriff of Nottingham is the main antagonist in the legend of Robin Hood. He is generally depicted as an unjust tyrant who mistreats the local people of Nottinghamshire, subjecting them to unaffordable taxes. Robin Hood fights against him, stealing from the rich, and the Sheriff, in order to give to the poor; it is this characteristic for which Robin Hood is best known. The Sheriff is considered the archenemy of Robin Hood, as he is the most recurring enemy of the well-known outlaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friar Tuck</span> Character from the Robin Hood folklore

Friar Tuck is one of the Merry Men, the band of heroic outlaws in the folklore of Robin Hood.

Robin Hood is a comic opera by Reginald De Koven (music), Harry B. Smith (lyrics) and Clement Scott. The story is based on the Robin Hood legend, during the reign of King Richard I. The opera was composed in Chicago, Illinois during the winter of 1888-1889.

<i>A Challenge for Robin Hood</i> 1967 British film by C. M. Pennington-Richards

A Challenge for Robin Hood is a 1967 British adventure film directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards and starring Barrie Ingham, Peter Blythe and John Arnatt.

<i>Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse</i> 2012 film by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone

Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse is a 2012 American animated direct-to-video action-adventure musical comedy film starring the seven-time Academy Award-winning cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry as well as the historical and heroic outlaw Robin Hood. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Turner Entertainment Co., the film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 28, 2012.

<i>Robin Hood</i> (2018 film) Action film directed by Otto Bathurst

Robin Hood is a 2018 American action-adventure film directed by Otto Bathurst and written by Ben Chandler and David James Kelly, from a story by Chandler. It is a modern retelling of the Robin Hood legend, and follows his training by John to steal from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The film stars Taron Egerton as Robin, and features Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Tim Minchin and Jamie Dornan in supporting roles. Returning home to England to learn the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (Mendelsohn) has seized his family estate, aristocrat Robin of Loxley joins forces with Friar Tuck (Minchin) and Little John (Foxx) – a fierce Arabian warrior who wants to put an end to the Crusades. Armed with arrows and dubbed Robin Hood, Loxley leads a band of oppressed rebels in a daring plan to rob the Sheriff of his money and take away his power.

<i>Robin Hood: Mischief in Sherwood</i> 2015 multi-national TV series or program

Robin Hood: Mischief in Sherwood is a CG-animated series produced by Method Animation and DQ Entertainment, in co-production with Fabrique d'Images, ZDF, ZDF Enterprises, De Agostini Editore, and KidsMe S.r.l., with the participation of TF1 and The Walt Disney Company France, and in association with COFIMAGE 24. It is an animated adaptation of the Robin Hood story.

References

  1. ↑ At the end of the film, Maid Marian and Robin Hood get married.
  2. 1 2 "11 Oo-De-Lally Facts About 'Robin Hood'". mentalfloss.com. 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  3. ↑ "Animals Portray Parts in Disney's "Robin Hood"". Toledo Blade. 18 October 1970. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Robin Hood (1973) - Wolfgang Reitherman - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  5. 1 2 "Disney's 'Robin Hood' Is Right on Target". popmatters.com. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  6. ↑ "Robin Hood at Disney Character Central". Charactercentral.net. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  7. ↑ "The Inspiration For Disney's Robin Hood Wasn't Actually Robin Hood". gizmodo.com. 2014-09-20. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  8. ↑ "Robin Hood". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 1974. Retrieved 2016-8-12
  9. ↑ "Robin Hood". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2016-8-12
  10. ↑ "Robin Hood". Animationsource.org. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  11. ↑ "The voice behind Disney's Robin Hood has died aged 80". cosmopolitan.co.uk. 2016-01-15. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  12. ↑ "Evolution of Character – Robin Hood". cosmopolitan.co.uk. 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  13. ↑ Video example from "Thanks to Minnie". House of Mouse. Season 1. Episode 12. April 7, 2001. ABC.
  14. ↑ Reif, Alex (October 16, 2023). "Disney's "Once Upon a Studio" – List of Characters in Order of Appearance". Laughing Place.
  15. ↑ Brigante, Ricky (2012-10-17). "Long Lost Friends Week". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  16. ↑ Romero, Josh (2011-09-28). "Disney Universe Characters List". Video Games Blogger.
  17. ↑ Disney Magic Kingdoms (Gameloft) (March 4, 2022). "Update 57: Robin Hood | Livestream". YouTube.
  18. ↑ "Disney Heroes: Battle Mode Update 1.9.2". disneyheroesgame.com. May 20, 2019.
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