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The Sword in the Stone

Rating

Director

Wolfgang Reitherman

Screenplay

Bill Peet (Book: T.H. White)

Length

1h 19m

Starring

Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, Rickie Sorensen, Junius Matthews, Ginny Tyler, Martha Wentworth, Norman Alden, Alan Napier, Richard Reitherman, Robert Reitherman

MPAA Rating

Approved

Basic Plot

A young boy is an apprentice to a fantastic mage named Merlin.

Review

For all those children who thought magic was just a fairy tale.

From the humble beginnings of the film to the end, “The Sword in the Stone” is a visual palette. While the story drags at times, this is another Disney gem. While it is one of my least favorites, it is still worth watching for all those kids and kids-at-heart out there.

A young boy is taught many lessons about magic, as Master Merlin guides him through life. Merlin is a master of changing forms and does so quite often. His big battle with Madame Mim, another mage, is one for the eyes.

Though it seems the film focused more on magic than the young boy, his final pull of the sword from the stone seems a bit anti-climactic.

Those who enjoy Disney animation, as I do (I have all but seven of Disney’s animated features on video cassette), may take special liking to this feature with its crazy villainess, but may feel a bit let down in the plot area.

Review Written

August 6, 1998