The Sword in the Stone Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wizard kidnaps a kid and turns him into animals to prove that reading is better than hitting people, culminating in said kid becoming king because he pulled a sword, maybe because of the animal lessons?

🍿 The Sword in the Stone: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Death of a King and the Sword in the Stone

Following the death of the King of England, a sword appears embedded in an anvil atop a stone. Inscribed on the sword are the words, ‘Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England.’ Many try, but none can remove the sword, leaving England without a rightful ruler and plunging the country into the Dark Ages.

Wart Meets Merlin

A young orphan named Arthur, nicknamed ‘Wart’, lives with Sir Ector and his son Kay. While assisting Kay during a hunting trip, Wart stumbles upon the cottage of Merlin, a powerful and eccentric wizard, and his talking owl, Archimedes. Merlin recognizes Wart’s potential and declares himself the boy’s tutor, embarking on a series of magical lessons designed to educate and prepare him for his destiny.

Magical Lessons and Adventures

Merlin transforms Wart into various animals – a fish, a squirrel, and a bird – to teach him valuable life lessons about survival, love, and the importance of knowledge over brute strength. These transformations lead to humorous and perilous situations, testing Wart’s wit and courage. One notable encounter is with Madam Mim, a wicked witch who challenges Merlin to a wizard’s duel.

Wizard’s Duel with Madam Mim

Merlin and Madam Mim engage in a shapeshifting battle of wits, transforming into increasingly bizarre and powerful creatures. Merlin ultimately outsmarts Mim by turning into a germ, defeating her with knowledge and cunning rather than force. This encounter reinforces the film’s theme of intellectual superiority.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wart (Rickie Sorensen): A young orphan boy destined to become King Arthur, who learns valuable life lessons from Merlin.
• Merlin (Karl Swenson): A wise and eccentric wizard who mentors Wart and prepares him for his destiny.
• Archimedes (Junius Matthews): Merlin’s intelligent and grumpy pet owl, who often provides a cynical counterpoint to Merlin’s teachings.
• Sir Ector (Sebastian Cabot): Wart’s foster father, a somewhat gruff but ultimately well-meaning knight.
• Sir Kay (Norman Alden): Sir Ector’s son and Wart’s foster brother, an arrogant and not-too-bright knight.
• Madam Mim (Martha Wentworth): A powerful and mischievous witch who engages in a magical duel with Merlin.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Merlin: “Now, that’s what I call a real education. For it isn’t enough to be just a Knight, you’ve got to be a good, wise man.” – Merlin explains the value of knowledge and wisdom over brute strength.
• Merlin: “Might does not make right. If might makes right, then the stronger fellows would be right in taking away everything from you!” – Merlin explains to Wart that physical strength isn’t as important as knowledge.
• Madame Mim: “Sounds like someone’s sick. How lovely. I do hope it’s serious. Something dreadful.” – Madame Mim expresses her wicked delight at the misfortune of others.
• Merlin: “Higitus Figitus Migitus Mum, Presto Change-o, Alakazam!” – Merlin uses this as his magic incantation to do spells.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $12,000,000

💥 The Sword in the Stone Reviews

Personal Review

I grew up watching this movie, and it still holds a special place in my heart. The wizard duel between Merlin and Madam Mim is one of the most creative and hilarious scenes in Disney history! The squirrel part always made me tear up, and Archimedes is just the grumpiest, most lovable owl ever. It’s a feel-good movie that reminds me of childhood.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Fans of Disney animated classics”
  • “Individuals interested in Arthurian legends”
  • “Those who enjoy lighthearted fantasy and comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “Brief scary moments with Madam Mim”
  • “Some scenes may be emotionally intense for very young children (e.g., squirrel scene)”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Though not among Disney’s most ambitious works, ‘The Sword in the Stone’ offers a charming and lighthearted take on Arthurian legend, buoyed by memorable characters and whimsical animation.
• AllMovie: “A charming, if somewhat slight, Disney adaptation of the King Arthur legend. The animation is classic Disney, and the characters, especially Merlin and Madam Mim, are memorable.

Audience Reactions

The wizard’s duel between Merlin and Madam Mim is the most creative battle in Disney history.: Audiences loved the humor and creativity of the animation, especially the shape-shifting wizard’s duel.

Overall Consensus: A charming and funny Disney adaptation of the King Arthur legend, best known for its memorable characters and creative animation, though it may lack the depth of some other Disney classics.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Walt Disney originally acquired the rights to T.H. White’s ‘The Once and Future King’ intending to make a live-action film, but later decided to adapt the first book, ‘The Sword in the Stone,’ as an animated feature.”
• “Bill Peet wrote the screenplay, but it was his last for Disney, as he left the studio following a disagreement with Walt Disney over creative control.”
• “During the film’s production, Disney was also developing ‘Mary Poppins’. Some animators and songwriters worked on both projects simultaneously.”
• “The Sherman Brothers, who wrote the songs for ‘Mary Poppins,’ also wrote the songs for ‘The Sword in the Stone,’ though they are less well-known than their other Disney work.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Sword in the Stone?

The Sword in the Stone is available for streaming on Disney+. You can also find it for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Sword in the Stone, you might like these similar films:

• Robin Hood (1973): Another Disney animated film set in medieval England with anthropomorphic animals and a lighthearted tone.
• Excalibur (1981): A more mature and dramatic retelling of the Arthurian legend, focusing on the political intrigue and mythical aspects.
• The Black Cauldron (1985): Another dark fantasy-adventure animated movie where a young boy must prove himself.
• The Kid Who Would Be King (2019): A modern take on the Arthurian legend with a young boy discovering Excalibur and leading his friends on an adventure.
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): A comedy cult classic that provides a satirical send-up of Arthurian legend.

🛒 The Sword in the Stone Related Products

• The Sword in the Stone [Blu-ray]: A high-definition Blu-ray edition of the movie with bonus features, offering improved picture and sound quality for fans of the classic animation.
• Disney The Sword in the Stone T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring classic characters and artwork from the movie, perfect for expressing your love of Disney.
• The Sword in the Stone (Disney Read-Along): Interactive digital book with audio narration, sound effects, and character voices, allowing kids to follow along with the story.
• Kingdom Hearts Series (Featuring The Sword in the Stone Characters): A popular action role-playing game series featuring characters from The Sword in the Stone, letting players interact with Merlin and explore the movie’s world.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Sword in the Stone features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Sword in the Stone” – performed by Fred Darian
• “Higitus Figitus” – performed by Karl Swenson
• “That’s What Makes the World Go Round” – performed by Karl Swenson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

I Spoke to Someone Who Broke The Sword In The Stone

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually break the legendary Sword in the Stone? Well, one person claims to have done just that, and in this video, they share their story.

What Happens When You Pull The Sword From The Stone?

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if someone were to actually pull the Sword from the Stone, this video offers some intriguing possibilities and consequences. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of the movie’s central theme.

Sword in the Stone is not Excalibur?! – The Arthurian Legend

Did you know that the Sword in the Stone is not the same as Excalibur? This video delves into the historical and mythological differences between the two legendary swords, offering a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Arthurian lore.

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