Oh, What a Knight (1928) Review
KNIGHTS, NONSENSE, AND LASSOED LOVE
Continuing my watch of older animated shorts, I really enjoyed "Oh, What a Knight" (1928). I’m pretty sure this marks my 700th film/short/TV show added to Letterboxd, so I guess that’s a bit of a milestone! Directed by Walt Disney, this classic Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short blends slapstick comedy with charming animation, offering a delightful glimpse into the early days of animation. Despite its age, the short is packed with energy, creativity, and humor, though there were a few moments where I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in the storyline. But hey, its an animated short, so I can't expect anything too crazy.
The plot, which revolved around Oswald’s attempt to win the princess's affection through a series of physical gags and a rivalry with another knight, is straightforward and fast-paced. While the comedy is definitely the highlight, with Oswald using his horse to perform daring acts like lassoing the princess’s balcony and tightrope walking across a gap, it also felt a little one-note at times. The humor, while funny, largely revolves around physical slapstick, which, though effective, starts to feel repetitive after a while. The rivalry between Oswald and the other knight becomes predictable, and I found myself wishing there was a bit more variety in the types of gags or character interactions. Oswald sure does love kissing the princess a lot—one minute hes fighting off another knight, and the next hes kissing her while running along a wall.
That said, the animation itself is still impressive for its time. Oswald’s expressive movements, the simple but effective character design, and the fluidity of action all showcase early Disney animation’s potential. The visual creativity, especially in the horse’s role in the slapstick, is fun to watch. However, there were moments when the action felt slightly disjointed, and the lack of substantial plot or deeper character development left me wanting more substance.
Overall, "Oh, What a Knight" is a great animated short, as its very entertaining and perfectly captures the spirit of early animation, but it also highlights some of the limitations of the era. While the physical comedy is amusing and the animation has its charm, the plot and gags could have used a bit more variety to keep things fresh. Still, it’s a fun watch that I’m glad I included in my 700th milestone on Letterboxd. It’s a nice reminder of how far animation has come, even if it does occasionally feel like it’s stuck in a bit of a loop. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep watching more animated shorts because they’re just plain fun! There’s something about the creativity and condensed storytelling in these shorts that makes them such a joy to watch. And I’m especially excited to dive deeper into Walt Disney’s catalogue of shorts. It’s clear that Disney had a unique way of blending humor, creativity, and animation in a way that set the stage for the classics we know today. From Oswald to Mickey Mouse, I can’t wait to explore more of his early work and see how his animation style and storytelling evolved over time. It’s a fun journey that I’m looking forward to continuing as I add even more animated gems to my Letterboxd lists.
(4 stars ⭐️ out of 5). (7.8/10). 78/100
Oh, What a Knight (1928) Review
KNIGHTS, NONSENSE, AND LASSOED LOVE
Continuing my watch of older animated shorts, I really enjoyed "Oh, What a Knight" (1928). I’m pretty sure this marks my 700th film/short/TV show added to Letterboxd, so I guess that’s a bit of a milestone! Directed by Walt Disney, this classic Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short blends slapstick comedy with charming animation, offering a delightful glimpse into the early days of animation. Despite its age, the short is packed with energy, creativity, and humor, though there were a few moments where I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in the storyline. But hey, its an animated short, so I can't expect anything too crazy.
The plot, which revolved around Oswald’s attempt to win the princess's affection through a series of physical gags and a rivalry with another knight, is straightforward and fast-paced. While the comedy is definitely the highlight, with Oswald using his horse to perform daring acts like lassoing the princess’s balcony and tightrope walking across a gap, it also felt a little one-note at times. The humor, while funny, largely revolves around physical slapstick, which, though effective, starts to feel repetitive after a while. The rivalry between Oswald and the other knight becomes predictable, and I found myself wishing there was a bit more variety in the types of gags or character interactions. Oswald sure does love kissing the princess a lot—one minute hes fighting off another knight, and the next hes kissing her while running along a wall.
That said, the animation itself is still impressive for its time. Oswald’s expressive movements, the simple but effective character design, and the fluidity of action all showcase early Disney animation’s potential. The visual creativity, especially in the horse’s role in the slapstick, is fun to watch. However, there were moments when the action felt slightly disjointed, and the lack of substantial plot or deeper character development left me wanting more substance.
Overall, "Oh, What a Knight" is a great animated short, as its very entertaining and perfectly captures the spirit of early animation, but it also highlights some of the limitations of the era. While the physical comedy is amusing and the animation has its charm, the plot and gags could have used a bit more variety to keep things fresh. Still, it’s a fun watch that I’m glad I included in my 700th milestone on Letterboxd. It’s a nice reminder of how far animation has come, even if it does occasionally feel like it’s stuck in a bit of a loop. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep watching more animated shorts because they’re just plain fun! There’s something about the creativity and condensed storytelling in these shorts that makes them such a joy to watch. And I’m especially excited to dive deeper into Walt Disney’s catalogue of shorts. It’s clear that Disney had a unique way of blending humor, creativity, and animation in a way that set the stage for the classics we know today. From Oswald to Mickey Mouse, I can’t wait to explore more of his early work and see how his animation style and storytelling evolved over time. It’s a fun journey that I’m looking forward to continuing as I add even more animated gems to my Letterboxd lists.
(4 stars ⭐️ out of 5). (7.8/10). 78/100
