The Sword in the Stone (1963)

A poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.

Directors:

Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi (uncredited)

Writers:

Bill Peet (story), T.H. White (based on the book by)

Stars:

Rickie Sorensen, Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sebastian Cabot	...	Sir Ector / Narrator in opening sequence (voice)
Karl Swenson	...	Merlin (voice)
Rickie Sorensen	...	Wart (voice)
Junius Matthews	...	Archimedes (voice)
Ginny Tyler	...	Little Girl Squirrel (voice)
Martha Wentworth	...	Madam Mim / Old Lady Squirrel (voice)
Norman Alden	...	Sir Kay (voice)
Alan Napier	...	Sir Pellinore (voice)
Richard Reitherman	...	Wart (voice)
Robert Reitherman	...	Wart (voice)

Storyline

Arthur (aka Wart) is a young boy who aspires to be a knight's squire. On a hunting trip he falls in on Merlin, a powerful but amnesiac wizard who has plans for Wart beyond mere squiredom. He starts by trying to give Wart an education (whatever that is), believing that once one has an education, one can go anywhere. Needless to say, it doesn't quite work out that way.

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Plot Keywords:

wizard | sword | owl | orphan | castle | 

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Taglines:

Mirthful Magical Musical

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last film in which Bill Peet served as a writer. He later created a version of The Jungle Book (1967) but Walt Disney threw Peet's story out when their relationship fell apart and Peet left the studio.

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Goofs

When Merlin is packing his bag by magic to go to the castle, the flow of items stops halfway into the bag as the sugar bowl fights with the teapot. When Merlin says, "Where was I?" there are no items near the bag. The camera cuts to Wart and when it goes back to Merlin, the items are back where they were.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Minstrel: [singing] A legend is sung, / Of when England was young, / And knights were brave and bold. / The good king had died, / And no one could decide / Who was rightful heir to the throne. / It seemed that the land / Would be torn by war, / Or saved by a miracle alone. / And that miracle appeared in London town: / The Sword in the Stone.

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Alternate Versions

The UK DVD version omits part of Madam Mim's first line "Sounds like someone's sick. How lovely. I do hope it's serious. Something dreadful." She now says "Sounds like someone's sick. How lovely."

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Connections

Version of Camelot (1967)

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Soundtracks

A Most Befuddling Thing
(1963) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Sung by Karl Swenson

User Reviews

Not much plot but great for little kids.

This is one of my all time favorite Disney films. The lyrics of the songs are clever and memorable. Who can forget "Hockety Pockety Wockey Wack?"

The characters are also very entertaining. The idea of Merlin as a clutz is unique to this version of the story. Archimedes also offers several laughs.

Though there isn't much of a plot, the development of character makes this film very entertaining.

My four year old sister loved the film. She has already watched it at least a dozen times, and I only checked it out from the library three days ago. Modern Disney bores her. I've found that young children can't sit through "Beauty and the Beast" or "Mulan." This older style of Disney catches attention and entertains.

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sword in the Stone

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,230,614, 27 March 1983

Gross USA:

$12,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording) Dolby (1983 Re-Release)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1