The Sword in the Stone (1963)

The Sword in the Stone is Disney’s classic, though heavily revised take on the legend of King Arthur and his mystical guiding hand, the wizard Merlin. Released in 1963 after being assembled piecemeal over the previous two decades, it was the last animated film released by the studio before Walt Disney’s death in 1966 and also the first to include the music of the Sherman brothers, who would go on to write songs straight into the history books for other popular films such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Based on the first of four books by T.H. White (the series referred to collectively as The Once and Future King) and with a screenplay by Bill Peet (already established as a successful writer with the studio), the film tells the story of the young Arthur, known in this version as Wart, who defies the expectations of his foster family in becoming a pupil of the brilliant but frustrated Merlin, going on to fulfil the prophecy of the title and becoming the King of England. The action is primarily focused on the adventures and lessons imparted by the wizard, as Wart learns about the natural order and structures of the world and is eventually elevated to his destiny on the throne by a confluence of circumstances.

With only vague reference to the various legends and stories surrounding the character, Disney’s version of the Arthur myth is a joyful and distinctively postmodern romp through an England beset by a lack of sovereign government, complete with upjumped Lords and Knights with their eye on the throne, and also enough playful magic and philosophy to relate the tale in a way that is familiar, but still engaging for modern audiences. The wizard’s duel between Merlin and Madam Mim is particularly memorable, both for the animated sequences and the witty vigour of the script. 

At 79 minutes, The Sword in the Stone jostles along at a fine pace and leaves the viewer with a sense of wonder and general political awareness with regard to the foundation of Arthur’s reign and the character’s ongoing popularity in the realm of fantasy entertainment. Placed at about the midpoint of Disney’s animated oeuvre of the 20th Century, the film remains a classic of that medium and a fun exploration of the overall King Arthur legend. 

5/5