D52: The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone, released in 1963, is a loose adaptation of T.H. White’s book of the same name. It follows a young Arthur as he is mentored by Merlin and eventually finds the titular Sword, thereby claiming his place as the rightful King of England. Though it was well received at the time, it has since become one of the lesser known Disney films, which is unfortunate as it is really quite good.

Like 101 Dalmatians, the animation drawings for this film were transferred to cel via photocopy, though more care was taken here to reduce the visibility of the rough lines. The plot itself is really a series of mini adventures, with Merlin and Arthur turning into squirrels, fish, birds, and battling an evil witch. As a result, it can feel a little thin and meandering. It more than makes up for this shortcoming, however, with its ample does of humour. Particularly entertaining is the continual banter between Merlin and his owl Archimedes.

Viewing it now as an adult, it is this interplay that I enjoyed most. It’s not the most visually striking of the Disney films, as the studios animation styles continued to evolve, nor is it the most exciting, but it is definitely charming. Younger viewers will love the adventure sequences and the abundant humour, just as I did when I was young. The characters, though, are the real highlight here. This is a film that, sadly, seems to be being slowly forgotten, but it really deserves better. My view may be slightly tainted as this was a favorite during my childhood, but I think this is a must see for any Disney fan.

A trailer for the 45th anniversary reissue

Up next: The Jungle Book (1967)