The Sword in the Stone

Fans of King Arthur had to see Disney's The Sword in the Stone. Disney again takes a classic story, modifies it and animates it to come up with a classic family hit. The Animated Sword in the Stone was released in 1963.

This was the last animated feature released while Walt Disney was still alive. The movie The Sword in the Stone is based on the 1938 book, written by T.H. White. From plot clues in The Sword in the Stone, one can estimate that the setting of the film is about 585 A. D.

The animation of The Sword in the Stone was cited by some as being the best to date. Especially praised by his peers was the animator Milt Kahl for his animation of Arthur and Merlin. In the battle between Merlin and Mad Madam Mim, the characters go through many physical transformations during battle, while retaining identifying characteristics.

Trivia buffs and amateur film critics enjoy pointing out recycled animation in the Disney film The Sword and the Stone. Snippets of the film or animation styles are noted to have come from Bambi. Later films like One Hundred and One Dalmatians and The Fox and the Hound are said to have borrowed from this animated Disney movie.