The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)

 'The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men' is the second fully live action film Disney produced, the first being 1950's 'Treasure Island'. The film takes many of its ques both visually and structurally from the the 1938 Fox version, though it contains more back story on Robin and Marion's early relationship and what motivatived Loxley to become Hood. Not a lot of character development which actually works for this film, it's streamed down only an hour and twenty four minute running time. It's a simple bedtime story put to film, upbeat as I think Hood is meant to be. The cast is mostly unremarkable, Joan Rice is cute, and Richard Todd his usual bland self. Future Oscar winner Peter Finch is the Sheriff of Nottingham, and there is a fun scene where he is guilted by a crowed to donate more money to the fund to free King Richard then Robin and his men donated from 'stolen' funds. **1/2