Animator Richard Williams simply took too long at the drawing board. Peter Cowie's annual International Film Guide reported in its 1977 edition — repeat, 1977 — that "The Thief and the Cobbler [as it was then known] is especially dear to Williams's heart. Although it has been in active preparation for several years, it should definitely be completed during 1977." Well, definitely not! Eighteen years later — and after Williams's defection from the project — there would appear to have been some belated effort to bring the thing into conformance with Disney's most recent blockbusters, especially (obviously) Aladdin: the free-associating voice of Jonathan Winters as a substitute for that of Robin Williams; the widened eyes and rounded bosoms of Princess Yum-Yum (as compared with her anatomical features in a published 1977 still frame); and the feminist anthem ("There's a mind in the body of this pretty miss") sung by the latter. But the Williams film has a look all its own, and a far better look than Aladdin's: wide stylistic variety spanning from Ancient to Op; sophisticated sense of pattern and color; visual wit; clarity of action; perfect timing. With the voices of Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Beals, and Vincent Price; but no Donald Pleasence, Anthony Quayle, or Felix Aylmer — all deceased — as promised in Cowie. (1995) — Duncan Shepherd