History WesternAnimation / RobinHood1973

This movie was the first in the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon that was made completely independent of Creator/WaltDisney, who had died in 1966 -- ''WesternAnimation/TheAristocats'' was personally greenlit by Walt. The studio was suffering financially during its production, resulting in plenty of RecycledAnimation from a multitude of films and within itself (this makes it one of the more economical entries in the Disney Animated Canon). [[DrinkingGame Take a shot]] when you spot recycled animation or an animation blooper. While largely dominated by the handiwork of studio veterans such as the remaining Nine Old Men and art director Ken Anderson, the film does, however, mark the debut of Creator/DonBluth as a full-time animator for the Mouse, beginning the arc of his long and tumultuous relationship with the studio in full.

This movie was the first in the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon that was made completely independent of Creator/WaltDisney, who had died in 1966 -- ''WesternAnimation/TheAristocats'' was personally greenlit by Walt. The studio was suffering financially during its production, resulting in plenty of RecycledAnimation from a multitude of films and within itself (this makes it one of the more economical entries in the Disney Animated Canon). [[DrinkingGame Take a shot]] when you spot recycled animation or an animation blooper. While largely dominated by the handiwork of studio veterans such as the remaining Nine Old Men and art director Ken Anderson, the film does, however, mark the debut of Creator/DonBluth as a full-time animator for the Mouse, beginning his long and tumultuous relationship with the studio.

This movie was the first in the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon that was made completely independent of Creator/WaltDisney, who had died in 1966 -- ''WesternAnimation/TheAristocats'' was personally greenlit by Walt. The studio was suffering financially during its production, resulting in plenty of RecycledAnimation from a multitude of films and within itself (this makes it one of the more economical entries in the Disney Animated Canon). [[DrinkingGame Take a shot]] when you spot recycled animation or an animation blooper.

* PerilousMarriageProposal: Robin proposes to Maid Marian while fighting off Prince John's army after chaos breaks loose at the archery tournament. Doubles as CasualDangerDialogue.

* ArcherArchetype: He's ''Robin Hood''; what do you expect? Although this version is warmer than the trope's standard.

* SingleTear: A saddened Maid Marian sheds a tear as she waits on Robin's answer of reciprocating her feelings while he was bound before an execution.

* SmoochOfVictory: Skippy is forcibly given one by Maid Marian during their roleplay game, much to his embarrassment.

* SplittingTheArrow: Naturally, Robin has to show off by doing this.

* SuddenlyShouting: Reversed. During Prince John's outburst after hearing about the mocking sing-song about him, he angrily screams to "SQUEEZE EVERY LAST DROP FROM THOSE INSOLENT..." though suddenly finishes in a calm, outright amused tone "...er, musical peasants".

* AbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder: Marian fears this is what happened to Robin. However, it is quickly subverted in the next scene, as Robin is shown daydreaming about her and fearing that his status as an outlaw makes him UnableToSupportAWife.

* AccessoryWearingCartoonAnimal: Sir Hiss wears only a hat, and occasionally a matching cape. The crocodile military captain and the vulture mooks also only wear hats/helmets and capes. Also, Toby the turtle wears only a hat and glasses. His father wears only a hat.

* ActionGirl: Lady Kluck joins the brawl that caps the archery tournament.
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Marian gets wistful and sad when talking with Skippy, his friend Toby and his sisters about Robin Hood, saying Robin has probably forgotten all about her. When Skippy proposes that Robin Hood would come to save her and storm the castle if Prince John did anything, Klucky pretends to be Prince John and mock-fights him to cheer him and Marian up. While they circle and playfight, Marian starts laughing and calling for "Robin Hood" to save her. (Becomes heartwarming when Robin does a rescue for real during the tournament and proposes to her to boot!)
* ActuallyQuiteCatchy: Even though its whole purpose is to make fun of their boss, both Sir Hiss and the Sheriff take a liking to "[[TheVillainSucksSong The Phony King of England]]," and cheerfully sing it while on the job... and while Prince John is in earshot. (Prince John himself, however, does not find it amusing at all.)

** During the "Phony King of England" musical number, Little John does make reference to the merry men as "Robin's wily pack". It does seem like he's just referring to himself and Friar Tuck, though... unless the rest of the outlaws are always [[BehindTheBlack conveniently off-screen]].
** The text in the StorybookOpening of the film says "Robin Hood had a band [...] men which included a m[...] named Alan-a-Dale who..."; this at least implies that there are other outlaws assisting Robin.

-->"Yep, I'm in here too."
* AlliterativeList: At the start, Sir Hiss is also called "silly serpent", a "suspicious snake", and "reluctant reptile" while Friar Tuck is a "fat friar", and a "corpulent cleric". At the end, when Prince John chases Sir Hiss and tries to hit him with his stick, he calls him a "cowardly cobra," "procrastinating python," and an "aggravating asp." All of these could also count as [[AlliterativeName Alliterative Nicknames]].
** Not to be outdone, the Sexton refers to the Sheriff as a "big bellied bully".

** Many of the voices were filled from the Disney Studio's stable of Western Movie actors, particularly the Sheriff and his men, who attempted to play the roles off as a sheriff and his deputies from the WildWest or DeepSouth.

** The rabbits sing "HappyBirthdayToYou" -- which was written in the late 19th century in Louisville, Kentucky -- to Skippy. The film takes place in 12th century England.
** While in the ale barrel, Sir Hiss sings "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" (although he says "for ''I'm'' a jolly good fellow"). Again, that song hadn't been written yet-- it was written in 1709.

** Nottingham Castle has a scaffold gallows, which was invented by the Scot Deacon William Brodie in ''1787''.

** Played with during the climax. John obviously had no idea Friar Tuck would get caught up in the Sherrif's taxation arrests. But once he does, John realizes they've unwittingly set up a Batman Gambit. John orders his public execution, knowing Robin will move Heaven and Earth to rescue his friend (no matter that it's almost certainly a trap intended for him). It ''nearly'' works, too and is only done in by dumb luck.

* TheVillainSucksSong: "The Phony King of England".

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: The townspeople's appraisals of John as the "Phony King of England" do ''not'' sit well with the Prince, and in retaliation, he enforces even more aggressive taxes and the arrest of all those who fail to pay. The good people of Nottingham were most certainly not singing by the time he was done. Well, except for Alan-a-Dale, but it's much more melancholy ("Not in Nottingham"), to describe the depths to which Nottingham has sunk as a result of Prince John's tyranny.