Published: June 20, 2008 10:25 am         

Disney releases "The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Special Edition"

Disney released “The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Special Edition” to video retail and rental outlets Tuesday, June 17. Get it if only to complete your Disney collection of full length animation features. Strictly speaking, it’s not that good.

This was the first film the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert) composing team completed for the Disney animators. And as they say in one of the bonus features, they were learning as they went along. In many cases, it sounds it.

Also, I didn’t care for the animation style. Nor for the way the script writers changed the original story.

Maybe it’s just me, but I read T.S. White’s “Once and Future King” and was enamoured of the story and the way it was told. I don’t know, intelligent owls, wizards that pop back and forth in time, traveling to 17th Century Italy, 20th Century America and turns his protege and himself into squirrels and fish — it just didn’t work.

Also, a wizard that had to rely on an owl to remind him of which spell to use to work his magic ... Nope, not for me.

I gave it two stars, but that’s only because it’s a Disney release and I think it’s nice to have all those releases. Even my 5-year-old granddaughter Skyler didn’t like this one. She thought it was silly — funny in parts, especially the romantic female squirrel going after Merlin — but still silly.

Voice cast: Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, Rickie Sorensen, Junius Matthews, Ginny Tyler, Martha Wentworth, Norman Alden, Alan Napier and Richard Reitherman

Sword In the Stone

Rating (** out of *****)

Synopsis: (Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) Modern animation wizardry meets medieval magic in the legendary classic “The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Special Edition”, came to DVD on June 17 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. It’s filled with adventures, music, magic and a wondrous mixture of bonus features including an all-new game; perfect for the whole family.

Humor, spectacle and magic rule in Walt Disney’s legendary classic tale “The Sword In The Stone” — now celebrating its 45th anniversary with exciting new bonus features!

Embark on an adventure-filled quest for an unlikely hero! According to legend, only someone with honor, decency and inner strength can claim the throne of England — by pulling out the enchanted sword that lies locked in a massive stone. Many brave knights have tried, so it seems impossible that a young apprentice known as Wart could succeed. But with the guidance of the wizard Merlin, help from some hilarious friends and true strength of character, Wart just might become England’s greatest king.

There’s even more wizardry fun with marvelous new bonus features including the all-new Merlin’s Magical Academy game, animated shorts, Disney’s song selection and much more! “The Sword In The Stone 45th Anniversary Edition” DVD is a magical experience your whole family will want to share again and again!

Based on T.S. White’s immortal novel “The Once and Future King”, “The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Special Edition” brings the legend of King Arthur to spectacular animated life in a dazzling adventure sure to entertain both adults and children.

Arthur, a young squire known as “Wart,” encounters his destiny when he meets the magical wizard Merlin. This 1963 musical gem from the Disney vaults features original songs by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman (”Mary Poppins”) making “The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Special Edition” a must-own classic.

Bonus Features

• All-New Merlin's Magical Academy Game – In this all new game Merlin tests viewers’ knowledge of the world as they are transformed into a fish, a squirrel and an owl—just like Wart in the movie.

• Knight for a Day – Goofy stands in for his master at a joust in this medieval themed short film.

• Brave Little Tailor – When Mickey tells a white lie about his fighting prowess, he ends up facing down a rampaging giant.

• Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers – A profile of the musical geniuses behind The Sword in the Stone and so many other Disney hits. Includes the deleted song, “The Magic Key.”

• The Sword in the Stone Scrapbook – An exclusive behind-the-scenes interactive program featuring still-frame galleries and film facts.

• Disney Song Selection

• Previews of upcoming Disney DVD releases