The Sword in the Stone (1963)

By the 1960's, the animation industry had sharply declined due to increased production costs and changing technology. Walt had become less involved with animation when he started Disneyland and television. THE SWORD IN THE STONE, released in 1963, has never been held in high regard by Disney fans, but has never been disliked either.I've always found THE SWORD IN THE STONE to be an anomaly in the Disney canon, because it was released between two features with strong and engaging storytelling and the fact that one of Disney's best storymen, Bill Peet handled it single handedly. Yet the story feels underwhelming as there isn't very much action nor is there conflict with a build up to the climax. Another issue is the heavy amount of reused animation, most of it from the film itself; Several animation cycles are repeated throughout the film. This also cheapens the artistic value of an already insipid film. Director Wolfgang Reitherman was known for doing this as a director and was criticized by his colleagues and fans for this. The stylized designs that worked so effectively in 101 DALMATIANS don't really lend itself to a medieval setting nor does the jazzy musical score. One key element to a great Disney picture is great characters and they're here. Merlin and Archimedes are cantankerous and funny. Sir Ector and Sir Kay are obnoxious antagonists (though not true villains), but are also funny as well. When you really think about it, Arthur's situation with Ector and Kay is basically the same as in CINDERELLA.The storyline is mostly Merlin attempting to educate a young Arthur by transforming him into various animals. Despite the shortcomings of telling an engaging story, the viewer does come away with an appreciation for education and philosophy. It can be argued that despite Merlin's (short sighted) ability to see into the future, his attempts to educate Arthur nearly prevent him from being anointed king, which is something Merlin had no foresight on.Although not one of the Disney greats, this should belong in the library of any true Disney connoisseur.

As the final completely animated movie produced before the death of Walt E. Disney himself, this was a truly grand conclusion to the Golden Age of Disney's animated films. The humor works, the charm is captivating, and the duel between Merlin and Mim is made in a way that despite how it doesn't have the serious action, it can constantly entertain with the different animals they transform into, in a cartoony manner. I also didn't notice errors in the narrative like several more official critics did, and even if I did notice, the humor would make up for it. I did take unfavorable notice of Merlin's ability of foresight, as they snuck some 1963-era references into a film set in the 5th century (this is around the time Arthur was crowned King of Britain), including the historical spoiler that King Arthur's experience would be made into books and movies. Give it a watch and see for yourself that this film is under-appreciated and overlooked.

"The Sword in the Stone" is a film that most children will enjoy. However, if you were to ask 100 random kids what their favorite Disney cartoons were, I would probably have a heart attack if even a single kid said "The Sword in the Stone". It's enjoyable enough to watch--but also lacks anything endearing that would make it truly memorable. While there's really nothing to hate about the film, there really isn't a lot that stands out either. The animation is 1960s style Disney-- which means a rougher style due to cost-cutting measures. Instead of huge armies of animators, many were fired and the use of Xerox machine was introduced. It saved money but also gave the films a slightly rougher look. The music is also enjoyable but nothing in it is memorable. And as for the story, it's nice...and nice is a term you don't use with a film that is a classic. Overall, worth seeing but nothing more.

I love the King Arthur legend, it's always been one of my favorite fantasy tales. Probably one of the reasons is the fact that it's inspiring, that a greatness exists in all of us.This is one of my favorite animated movies and as you guessed it relics from my childhood. I saw this film when I was 7, I loved it then and I love it even as an adult. This film also was what introduced me to the King Arthur legend, so if it wasn't for this film I never would of known about the story.Not a lot I can say, I love the story, it's straightforward and simple but that why I love it. The animation I think is very good, it's nothing totally revolutionary but it's great in capturing a period in time long gone and the character animation is solid. The music is good it's not quite memorable which to me is probably the weak point of the film, thought the score that stands out was in the discovery of Excalubur which I thought was cool had a spiritual tone to it. However this weakness has an advantage from the fact there there really aren't many music numbers which I'm fine with since I'm not a fan of musicals.The characters are solid, Arthur is a decent protagonist, not much to say about him his the typical underdog but what makes him stand out a bit is the fact he's sympathetic. This guy practically gets crap canned left and right, from his jerk of a brother, down to the amount of responsibilities that have been dumped on him. I know there's such a think as teaching a kid responsibility but having to clean which looks like three dump truck loads of dishes by hand, that's just going overboard. This just all the more makes us want Arthur to win in the end.However, the three that stand out are Merlin, Archimedes, and Madam Mim.Merlin is pretty much a mentor figure but he's a fun one. He's got some great lines but I like that he's kinda an eccentric as we can easily see from his workshop which just looks clutter just like his mind.Archimedes is kinda the straight man or owl. He's wise and is always trying to keep things in balance. It's just funny how much grief Merlin gives him as things get out of his control.Madam Mim she's a fun villainous whom kinda was a villain that just pop out of the blue. She's just a crazy witch, she doesn't really have much of a goal except just to one up Merlin which seems to be her only goal.I really like the back and forth between Arthur and Merlin which is funny but also meaningful and touching. It's sort of like Dannel and Myugi in "The Karate Kid" just as Myugi teaches Dannel Karate he also teaches him the philosophies of life. Same with Merlin whom teaches Arthur lessons about the world he's also really teaching him to have faith in himself.One of my favorite sequences and one of my favorite one on one battles is the magic duel between both Merlin and Madam Mim. It is one of the most exiting, hilarious, and craziest battles I've ever seen; it's by it's nature a game of high card as both of them are trying to metamorph into a creature that can overpower the other. They turn into all kinds of animals as well as some creatures that don't exist except in imagination.Another favorite sequence is of course the discovery of Excalibur (which I think is a beautiful design of the sword) and the drawing out of it. In a way the story I've always felt was also a Christian story since the them I felt was about faith. The problem with Arthur was that he never really believed in himself or that there is greatness. His reason for drawing out the sword was to help someone, he even does it a second time because it was the right thing to do. To me those are genuine reasons for the sword to be drawn out, it was never about physical strength but spiritual. Arthur spirit was strong because he wasn't desiring to be King or any other selfish ambition but simply just to do the right thing which I feel is what fuels belief in oneself, and with that kind of faith one can accomplish anything but most importantly be what they deserve to be.It wasn't just a sword that Arthur drew out but the truth about himself and his own greatness, the greatness that exists in all of us.Rating: 4 stars