The discussion about The Sword in the Stone continues to this day, as fans and historians disagree whether this is a great or mediocre Disney film...or even a bad one. The movie certainly has strong sequences like the Wizards' Duel, the squirrels section and Madame Mim. But the film's key relationship between Wart and Merlin could be more interesting, more nuanced and more entertaining.
As Ollie Johnston said, what we had going on with Baloo and Mowgli, we never got with Merlin and Wart.
Here is a sampling of artwork from the film, starting with an animation drawing of Wart by Milt Kahl.
These Merlin studies were drawn by an assistant, who traced animation drawings by Milt.
A cel from the film's finale.
A couple of cels from the Wizards Duel, animation by John Lounsbery.
A cel set up from a scene animated by Frank Thomas.
Lounsbery's long suffering wolf.
Ollie Johnston animated this scene.
A color model for Sir Ector.
Another Ollie Johnston scene, which received a little drawing help from Milt Kahl:
I guess this is just one of the older movies that are carried (almost) entirely by good animation and memorable characters (and sequences). I personally still enjoy watching it, but nostalgia definitely has a lot to do with it.
ReplyDelete(And I also think that the ending of the squirrel section is unambiguously good and holds up really well).
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"Sword in the Stone" is one of my favorite Disney movies because even though the script is weak, it brings out the good side of nostalgia for me. And also, this movie was one half of my favorite recorded tapes when I was a kid (the other being "All Dogs go to Heaven") while my sister's favorite recorded tape was "Wizard of Oz". So many childhood memories I remember....
ReplyDeleteHey Andreas, since the "Sword in the Stone" title card backgrounds are the same as "Sleeping Beauty"'s, do you think Walt Peregoy did this or was it Eyvind Earle's original artwork since the latter was on a tight budget?
ReplyDeleteI love The Sword in the Stone. Imo its underrated and a few tweaks could have really elevated it. The very ending could have been better and weakens the movie imo...the joke about television and then abruptly ending hurts it, it should have ended on a more poignant note between Merlin and Arthur. Also it would have been nice to spend more time at the joust scene....a little more knights and knight business would have helped satisfy natural expectations of what is expected from such a film, and could have been a nice balance to the earlier animal/magic scenes.
ReplyDeleteI have a nostalgic fondness for this movie, but I wouldn't consider it among Disney's best and I can acknowledge there are problems with the writing that could have been improved. At the very least, a lot of the sequences are entertaining, and especially in the case of the Wizard's Duel, creative as well. And I do like the animation style. Very graphically interesting, and those Milt Kahl hands are fun to draw.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't recommend „The Sword in the Stone“ to script authors.
ReplyDeleteBut I like this feature! I watch it to relax. :)
„But the film's key relationship between Wart and Merlin could be more interesting, more nuanced and more entertaining.
As Ollie Johnston said, what we had going on with Baloo and Mowgli, we never got with Merlin and Wart.“
I understand the dilemma.
I think it is because Merlin and Baloo are too different.
Compared to Merlin, Baloo is too emphatic. So he doesn't want to bring Mowgli to the „Man-Village“.
Compared to Baloo, Merlin is much more a rational individual and a socially awkward character.
Therefore Merlin doesn't realy want to understand why it is so important to Wart to be Kay's squire.
This conflict takes up a lot of space. In the end there isn't enough time for that kind of relationship as we know between Baloo and Mowgli.
By the way I seem to remember the Wizards Duel is inspired on the Duel I have seen in „The Adventures of Prince Achmed“.... :)
The final product just looks ... sloppy. The xerox process works against the production as a whole, and the animation isn't smooth or attractive or complex. This film looks like it was made for television on a shortened budget.
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