Once Upon A Disney #18: The Sword in the Stone

It seems that in this period, Disney was alternating between antiquated fairytales and stories about dogs. In keeping with that rhythm, we're about to gallop back into medieval England with...

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Here we go again. The ornately decorated storybook opens to a promisingly rich overture. We're greeted with medieval illustrations which are eerily similar to Sleeping Beauty's prologue (but we'll ignore that for now) while a gentleman sets the scene through a very warbly song. Jolly old England can't decide who is heir to the throne, but a magical sword in a stone will set things straight. We wait with bated breath to hear all about the sword. 

You can almost hear the choir

No luck, I'm afraid. This film has almost nothing to do with the sword in the stone. It feels like the filmmakers wanted to sell the movie by grounding it in the Arthurian setting but had written something else entirely. What we end up with is Arthur's 'alternative' origin story, consisting of Merlin turning him into lots of animals. 

Arthur – who is this version is known as Wart for most of the film – is a skinny 12-year-old, with an inexplicable and highly inconsistent American accent, training to be a squire. While out gallivanting with his older brother, he ends up falling into a mysterious cottage, belonging to – you guessed it – Merlin. The cantankerous old wizard did mention something about expecting someone just like Wart to land on his doorstep, so apparently, he's special. 

'And that's the tea' 💁

After proving his exceptionally efficient packing skills to the tune of 'Higitus Figitus' – reminiscent of the fairy cottage scenes in Sleeping Beauty –  the eccentric wizard decides he will accompany Wart home to his castle to be his tutor. However, his lessons seem to suggest he has no idea what he's doing. 

From here on in, the film really starts to suffer from pacing issues. While there are some charming highlights (like Merlin and Wart's genuinely funny race over the hills while a puffed out wolf tries to keep up) the plot is more like a series of shorts rather than a captivating whole. A series of 'lessons' sees Merlin turning Wart into different animals, to teach him vague life skills, like what gravity is, and how he needs to avoid women. 

When I turn around too fast and my ponytail whips someone in the face

First, he's transformed into a fish – and he narrowly escapes getting eaten by a terrifying pike by being saved by Merlin's owl, Archimedes. Insert song. Secondly, he turns into a squirrel – and he narrowly escapes being pinned down by a lady squirrel. Insert another song. Thirdly, it's a sparrow – and he's nearly eaten by a hawk. Oh yes, and there's another son-you get the picture. 

That is a badass motherf**er

Major side note, but worth pointing out because it adds to the general strangeness of the film – Wart's voice changes dramatically throughout. At first, I thought the actor's voice might have broken (ala Rupert Grint in Chamber of Secrets) halfway through making the film. However, my research now indicates that three different actors voiced the protagonist. While the first actor did hit puberty, he was then replaced by two younger actors. Reader, this was to no avail. The changes in register within the same scene are hilariously jarring. 

This bit of animation is used three times in one scene – which says it all, really

Anyway, going back to the scrappy plot. If you thought that was enough animal transforming for one film, you're in for a surprise. The story's climax introduces us to Madam Mim, another sorcerer to rival Merlin, who it stark-raving bonkers. With Wart – as a sparrow – in her clutches, good old Archimedes sends for his buddy to help. Merlin and Mim then battle it out in a wizard duel, which – you guessed it – means transforming into various animals to try and overpower the other. Apart from being one of the most visually interesting parts of the film, it's still unclear what the point is. 

Your words, not mine, love

After all that, Wart decides that he still wants to train to be a aquire, and Merlin goes off in a huff, thinking that he should be spending his time on more academic pursuits. (But again... why?) At this point, no-one quite knows how the story will wrap up – surely no more animal transformations. Well, judge this how you will...

It turns out, Wart's brother has to take part in a jousting tournament in London and his squire conveniently gets the mumps. Wart has to take over, but oh no – he's forgotten to bring his sword. The inn they are staying at is shut, so he just casually pulls the sword – yes, THE sword – out of the stone. The End. None of the things Merlin taught him paid off at all. It's an 80-minute diversion anyway I guess! 

There's the money shot 

Best Song: Considering the Sherman Brothers (of Mary Poppins and Jungle Book fame) produced the music, the songs in this film are pretty weak – although it could be because neither Merlin nor Arthur can sing. 'Higitus Figitus' is probably the highlight, due to its energetic pace and the impressive animated scene of the suitcase being packed to accompany it.

Disney Detail: As well as some of the animation being used twice within this film, it also uses recycled animation from past Disney classics. The opening credit backgrounds borrow from Sleeping Beauty, and the deer Wart's brother tries to strike with his arrow near the beginning is copied from Bambi's mother. There are other examples throughout – but a lot of Disney films from the '60s - '80s borrowed sequences from each other, which we'll see in weeks to come.

Why it's a Classic: Perhaps less beloved than some of Disney's other classics, The Sword in the Stone does have some charming moments, with signature Disney style, humour, and a jolly old score. It could use a good bit of editing though.