The film is based on the novel of the same name, at first published in 1938 as a single novel. It was then later republished in 1958 as the first book of T. H. White’s tetralogy The Once and Future King.
The film begins in the 6th century in England with the death of the king, Uther Pendragon. Uther did not leave an heir to his throne, and without a king, "it seemed that the land would be torn by war". Suddenly, the "Sword in the Stone" appears in London, with an inscription proclaiming that "Whoso Pulleth Out This Sword of this Stone and Anvil, is Rightwise King Born of England." None succeed in removing the sword, which is soon forgotten, leaving England to the Dark Ages.
Many years later, the film introduces Arthur (also known as Wart), an 11-year-old orphan training to be a squire. While accompanying his older foster brother Kay on a hunting trip, Wart accidentally prevents Kay from shooting a deer. He goes to retrieve the arrow, and falls into Merlin's cottage. Merlin declares himself Wart's tutor and the two return to Wart's home, a castle run by Sir Ector, Arthur's foster father. Although Merlin convinces him that magic exists via conjuring up an indoor blizzard (referred to by Merlin as a "wizard blizzard"), Ector will not allow him to tutor Wart, so Merlin magically disappears, which persuades Ector to let Merlin stay. Ector's friend, Sir Pellinore, arrives with news about the annual jousting tournament to be held on New Year's Day in London, with the new development that the winner will become king. Ector decides to put Kay through serious training for the tournament and makes Wart his squire.
Merlin transforms Wart and himself into fish and they swim in the castle moat to learn about physics. Wart is attacked by a pike and saved by Archimedes, Merlin's owl. Wart is sent to the kitchen as punishment after he tries relating his lesson to a disbelieving Ector. Merlin enchants the dishes to wash themselves, then takes Wart for another lesson and turns them into squirrels to learn about gravity. Wart is almost eaten by a wolf, but is saved by a female squirrel who falls in love with him. After they have returned to human form, Ector accuses Merlin of using black magic on the dishes. Wart defends Merlin but Ector will not listen, punishing Wart for "popping off" by giving Kay a different squire, Hobbs.
For his third lesson, after apologizing to Wart and resolving to redeem him, Merlin transforms him into a sparrow and Archimedes, having charge of Wart's education reassigned to him (because he thought Merlin's "Futuristic Fiddle Faddle" would only confuse Wart), teaches Wart how to fly. Wart is attacked by a hawk and flies down the witch Madam Mim's chimney. Mim's magic uses trickery, as opposed to Merlin's scientific skill. Merlin arrives after she nearly kills Arthur and challenges Mim to a Wizards' Duel, in which the combatants change themselves into various non-imaginary animals to destroy one another. Mim breaks the rules first by disappearing, then eventually transforming into a dragon. Merlin transforms himself into a germ called "Maligolintomontorosis" and infects Mim, effectively defeating her, thus demonstrating the importance of brains over brawn.
At Christmas Eve, Kay is knighted but Hobbs comes down with the mumps; Ector reinstates Wart as Kay's squire. Merlin is disappointed that Wart still prefers war games to academics. Wart tries to explain that, as an orphan, nobility is forbidden and a squire is the best position he can attain and that Merlin's urgings that he aim for anything better are pointless. This aggravates Merlin, who in shouting "Blow me to Bermuda!" in anger, unwittingly transports himself to 20th-century Bermuda.
Ector, Kay, Pellinore, Wart and Archimedes travel to London for the tournament. Wart realises he has left Kay's sword at a nearby inn, which is closed because of the tournament. Archimedes notices a sword in a stone in a nearby churchyard. Wart pulls the sword from the stone, unwittingly fulfilling the prophecy. When Arthur returns with the sword, Ector and Sir Bart recognize it as the Sword in the Stone and the tournament is stopped. Demanding that Arthur prove he pulled it, Ector replaces the sword in its anvil. None of the other men can remove it as before, but Wart pulls it out again. This time the sky grows brighter and miracles appear in England. The knights all proclaim, "Hail, King Arthur! Long live the King!" as the crowd kneels down before him, the first being Ector, who apologises to Wart for his previous harsh treatment.
Arthur, crowned king, sits in the throne room with Archimedes, yet feels unprepared to take the responsibility of royalty. Overwhelmed by the cheering crowd outside, Arthur calls out to Merlin for help, who arrives from Bermuda and is elated to find that Arthur is the King that he saw in the future. Merlin tells the boy that he will lead the Knights of the Round Table, becoming one of the most famous figures in literature and even in motion pictures.
Cast and characters
Rickie Sorenson, Richard Reitherman and Robert Reitherman as Arthur/Wart, the long-lost son of Uther Pendragon and the future King Arthur. He is Disney's adaptation of legendary British leader King Arthur. Arthur was voiced by three different actors, leading to noticeable changes in voice between scenes of the film. Also, the three voices all have a Brooklyn-esque accent, in sharp contrast with the English setting and pseudo-English accent sported by all other characters in the film.
Karl Swenson as Merlin, the legendary wizard who aids and educates King Arthur about various things. He was animated by several of Disney's Nine Old Men, including Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and John Lounsbery. Kahl also designed the character, refining the storyboard sketches of Bill Peet. Merlin can be recognized by his massive beard, which always gets caught in most of his machines, and a pair of glasses he wears to see, and is also the world's most powerful magician.
Martha Wentworth as Madam Mim, a black witch and Merlin's arch-nemesis. Mim was animated by two of Disney's legendary Nine Old Men, Milt Kahl (who also designed the character, refining storyboard sketches from Bill Peet), and Frank Thomas. Kahl animated her initial interaction with Arthur, while Thomas oversaw her famous "Wizards' Duel" with Merlin. Wentworth also voiced the Granny Squirrel.
Junius Matthews as Archimedes, Merlin's crochety yet highly-educated pet owl who has the ability of speaking and the comic relief of the film. Archimedes accompanies Wart during his training, and is the one who alerts Merlin after Madam Mim kidnaps Arthur. The owl stays with Wart when Merlin travels to the 20th century.
Sebastian Cabot as Sir Ector, the ruler of King Uther Pendragon's castle and the foster father of Arthur. He does not believe in magic until Merlin casts a blizzard in front of him, thus letting the wizard educate Arthur in the castle. Though he loves Arthur, he often treats him harshly and fails to realise he may be Uther's son.
Norman Alden as Sir Kay, the older foster brother of Wart. He is inept at the art of jousting and sword fighting. Though he loves Wart, he often treats him with contempt.
Alan Napier as Sir Pellinore, a friend of Sir Ector who announces the tournament in which Arthur is revealed as king.
Thurl Ravenscroft as Black Bart, A.K.A. the Black Knight, one of the first to recognize the sword pulled by Arthur from the stone.
James MacDonald as The Wolf, an unnamed wolf who wants to eat Wart. He was defeated in and not seen again after the squirrel scene.
Ginny Tyler as The Little Girl Squirrel, a young female squirrel whom Wart come across. She immediately develops an attraction to him. After she saves him from the wolf and Wart returns to human form, she breaks down into tears and runs away. She is last seen watching Wart and Merlin leave the forest, heartbroken, and crying one last time before the screen fades to black.
Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman
Produced by Walt Disney
Screenplay by Bill Peet
Story by Bill Peet
Based on The Sword in the Stone by
T. H. White
Starring Rickie Sorensen
Karl Swenson
Junius Matthews
Sebastian Cabot
Norman Alden
Martha Wentworth
Music by Songs:
Richard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
Score:
George Bruns
Editing by Donald Halliday
Studio Walt Disney Productions
Release date(s)
December 25, 1963
Running time 79 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $12,000,000
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