In medieval times, Merlin the Magician tutors a 12-year-old boy through educational magic; the lad, nicknamed Wart, is the future King of England, King Arthur, though what he learns from being temporarily transformed into a fish, a squirrel, et al. isn't made clear. Animated adventures from Walt Disney is heavy on both the slapstick and the talk--the former a handicap because of a lack of visual wit, the latter a detriment because the characters aren't very interesting. The picture has nice color, and a funny supporting performance from Junius Matthews as Archimedes the owl, but the main set-piece (a showdown of magic between Merlin and his nemesis, Madam Mim) is just a flurry of activity, magic without boundaries for easy laughers. The intermittent songs, by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, are weak (and unsingable) and the character of Wart, hindered by poor vocal work, fails to emerge. ** from ****

I can't say I loved this movie. It was kind of fun but there were a lot of things that could have been better. I'm not complaining that it's unfaithful to the book, though, since I haven't read the book. But there were quite a few things that I didn't like.The main thing I didn't like was how Merlin taught Wart life lessons only through turning him into animals. I mean, he's a powerful sorcerer, right? So why not do something else? Okay, maybe one animal transformation would have been alright. If he just turned Wart into a bird and that was it and there were two other different things, I think it would have been alright. I mean, why not take Wart to Mars or something? Why not shrink him down to the size of an atom? Anyway, the part with the squirrels was just a bit awkward and went on far too long.And another thing I didn't like was how Merlin just conveniently got so angry with Wart (for wanting to go to the tournament) that he goes to Bermuda (in the future). The reason for this is pretty obvious. Just before the climax of the movie, Wart forgets Sir Kay's sword in the inn in which they are staying. Wart goes to retrieve it but the door is locked. THIS is the practical reason why Merlin goes away (the in-story reason is that he gets very angry, of course, which is just not very believable). It would look very silly if a powerful wizard was unable to open a locked door. Still, I thought THE SWORD IN THE STONE was okay. It's definitely not terrible. Merlin and Archimedes are pretty cool.It's pacing is slow but it's still kind of fun to watch.

I love the King Arthur legend, it's always been one of my favorite fantasy tales. Probably one of the reasons is the fact that it's inspiring, that a greatness exists in all of us.This is one of my favorite animated movies and as you guessed it relics from my childhood. I saw this film when I was 7, I loved it then and I love it even as an adult. This film also was what introduced me to the King Arthur legend, so if it wasn't for this film I never would of known about the story.Not a lot I can say, I love the story, it's straightforward and simple but that why I love it. The animation I think is very good, it's nothing totally revolutionary but it's great in capturing a period in time long gone and the character animation is solid. The music is good it's not quite memorable which to me is probably the weak point of the film, thought the score that stands out was in the discovery of Excalubur which I thought was cool had a spiritual tone to it. However this weakness has an advantage from the fact there there really aren't many music numbers which I'm fine with since I'm not a fan of musicals.The characters are solid, Arthur is a decent protagonist, not much to say about him his the typical underdog but what makes him stand out a bit is the fact he's sympathetic. This guy practically gets crap canned left and right, from his jerk of a brother, down to the amount of responsibilities that have been dumped on him. I know there's such a think as teaching a kid responsibility but having to clean which looks like three dump truck loads of dishes by hand, that's just going overboard. This just all the more makes us want Arthur to win in the end.However, the three that stand out are Merlin, Archimedes, and Madam Mim.Merlin is pretty much a mentor figure but he's a fun one. He's got some great lines but I like that he's kinda an eccentric as we can easily see from his workshop which just looks clutter just like his mind.Archimedes is kinda the straight man or owl. He's wise and is always trying to keep things in balance. It's just funny how much grief Merlin gives him as things get out of his control.Madam Mim she's a fun villainous whom kinda was a villain that just pop out of the blue. She's just a crazy witch, she doesn't really have much of a goal except just to one up Merlin which seems to be her only goal.I really like the back and forth between Arthur and Merlin which is funny but also meaningful and touching. It's sort of like Dannel and Myugi in "The Karate Kid" just as Myugi teaches Dannel Karate he also teaches him the philosophies of life. Same with Merlin whom teaches Arthur lessons about the world he's also really teaching him to have faith in himself.One of my favorite sequences and one of my favorite one on one battles is the magic duel between both Merlin and Madam Mim. It is one of the most exiting, hilarious, and craziest battles I've ever seen; it's by it's nature a game of high card as both of them are trying to metamorph into a creature that can overpower the other. They turn into all kinds of animals as well as some creatures that don't exist except in imagination.Another favorite sequence is of course the discovery of Excalibur (which I think is a beautiful design of the sword) and the drawing out of it. In a way the story I've always felt was also a Christian story since the them I felt was about faith. The problem with Arthur was that he never really believed in himself or that there is greatness. His reason for drawing out the sword was to help someone, he even does it a second time because it was the right thing to do. To me those are genuine reasons for the sword to be drawn out, it was never about physical strength but spiritual. Arthur spirit was strong because he wasn't desiring to be King or any other selfish ambition but simply just to do the right thing which I feel is what fuels belief in oneself, and with that kind of faith one can accomplish anything but most importantly be what they deserve to be.It wasn't just a sword that Arthur drew out but the truth about himself and his own greatness, the greatness that exists in all of us.Rating: 4 stars

nice, didactic, amusing, touching. a classical Disney respecting the old recipes.it is not a surprise or one of great animation but after years and many meetings it remains fresh. and this is important. the mixture between humor and lessons , the first image of king Arthur for kids, the splendid Archimedes and so childish-wise Merlin are the best food for soul and imagination. a beautiful adventure - that is its virtue. and not an ordinary one but a delicate definition of miracles, danger, victories and traps. and few scenes remains remarkable far from every fashion. for many it can be seed of memories or a rediscover of a different manner to create the spell of animation. for other - a part of life, when this movie was inspiration for a large and amazing personal world.