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:

It's HIGITUS-FIGITUS for magical mirth and music!

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first Disney animated feature made under a single director. Previous features were directed either by three or four directors, or by a team of sequence directors under a supervising director. The man hired for the job was veteran animator Wolfgang Reitherman (one of the fabled Nine Old Men), who would direct all of the Disney features up until the 1980's.

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Goofs

When Merlin and Wart are fishes in the moat, a turtle is seen swimming around. Britain has no native turtles.

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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

Featured in Disney's Halloween Treat (1982)

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Soundtracks

Blue Oak Tree
(1963) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Sung a bit by Sebastian Cabot and Alan Napier

User Reviews

Lowbrow fun

This isn't usually counted as being one of the top-ranking Disney films, but I insist on not being snobbish in this list, and remembering the films that brought me joy as a kid. Wart gets to be a squirrel, a bird and a fish during this film which plays fast and loose with Arthurian legend. Merlin is great, and his battle with Madam Mim the stuff of legend. It's not big, it's not clever, but it is fun!

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 Stereo (1983 Re-Release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1