Review of The Sword in the Stone (1963) by Sam P — 11 Apr 2012

The Sword In The Stone is a short film in comparison to most, only 79 minutes long. Despite this, it has some of the most depth to characters I have ever seen in a Disney film. I remember watching this film as a kid over my grandparents as often as possible, and every time I loved it.

Watching it now, you realize the amount of depth provided. There are some extremely dark moments in this, such as when Wart and Merlin turn into fish in the moat around the castle and get chased by a pike, which is freaking scary and uncomfortable to see, but is still a magnificent scene.

One of the most impressive scenes for me was when Wart & Merlin turn into squirrels, and a female squirrel starts falling for Wart, coming onto him. When Wart turns back into a human, and the female squirrel, shocked, ends up sobbing alone as Wart & Merlin walk away saddened. As the ending of the scene wasnâ(TM)t tied up with a bow, it leaves you amazed and Iâ(TM)ve included it below.

Archimedes and Merlin are probably the most memorable in this movie because of the fact they are such a brilliant double act, they are legitimately funny, riotously funny at points actually, which is brilliant for the movie, it really added to the movie. And with Wart as the protagonist, his wide-eyed wonder and naivety is very good as well, despite the fact he is played by three different actors.

Overall I love the film and could easily watch it again several times, wonderfully made.

[Merlin is being chased by a not-so good-looking female squirrel, eventually falling off a treebranch and into a bush.].

Merlin: By George! Iâ(TM)ve had enough of this nonsense! ALAKAZAM!

[In an atom bomb explosion, Merlin changes back into as human, causing the female squirrel to scream.].

Merlin: There! You see? Iâ(TM)m an ugly, horrible, grouchy old man!

[The female squirrel runs up a tree and chirps angrily at Merlin. In response, Merlin barks like a dog, scaring her off.].

Arthur: Merlin!

[Merlin turns around to see a girl squirrel hugging Arthur tightly.].

Merlin: So, here we are.

Arthur: Quick, Merlin, the magic!

Merlin: Snick, snack, snorum!

[Merlin turns Arthur back into a human and Arthur laughs, which causes the girl squirrel to gasp.].

Arthur: There, now you see? Iâ(TM)m not a squirrel, Iâ(TM)m a boy.

[The girl squirrel chirps as if asking a question.].

Arthur: I tried to tell you. Iâ(TM)m, Iâ(TM)m a boy. A human boy!

[The girl squirrel climbs up to a knot on her tree and sniffs.].

Arthur: Oh! If you could only understand.

[The girl squirrel runs up to the hole in the tree and cries her heart out as Arthur and Merlin remorsefully walk away.].

Merlin: Ah, you know, lad⦠that love business is a powerful thing.

[The girl squirrel, sobbing, pokes her head out of her tree hole and watches Arthur and Merlin slowly walk away.].

Arthur: Greater than gravity?

Merlin: Well, yes, boy, in its way, Iâ(TM)d, uh- Yes, Iâ(TM)d say itâ(TM)s the greatest force on Earth.

[The girl squirrel climbs to the top of her tree to get one last look at Arthur and sobs one last time as the screen fades to black.].