Animated Walt Disney movies were a large part of my childhood. In the 70’s Disney would intersperse new releases with re-releases of their classics during the holidays. In those days the only way one could see a Disney movie was in the movie theatre during these releases. Disney refused to telecast their movies on TV. The experience of sitting in a dark theatre and watching these spectacular animated spectacles was magical. My favorite Disney movie, as a child, was “The Jungle Book”.
Based on Rudyard Kipling’s book of the same name, “The Jungle book”, was a return to form for Disney and was the last movie that Walt Disney himself oversaw. It tells the story of a young Indian boy Mowgli, who is raised in the Indian jungle by a pack of wolves. He was placed in the hands of the wolves by the benevolent black panther Bagheera. In discovering that Shere Khan, the man-eating tiger, has returned to their part of the jungle, Bagheera has decided that it is time for Mowgli to be returned to the human village. He makes it his responsibility to return the boy. Mowgli for his part, does not want to leave the only world he knows, and befriends a carefree and lazy bear named Baloo. At the same time Shere Khan has heard of Mowgli and is hunting him down. There are many other wonderful animal characters in the movie, such as King Louie the orangutan, Kaa the python, Flaps the vulture and Colonel Hathi the elephant.
“The Jungle Book” is not one of Disney’s more detailed works of animations. The depictions are fine and colorful but not that spectacular, and in quite a few scenes the characters move within a stationary background. This was due to Disney’s cost saving efforts at the time. What is so wonderful is that the average animation does not diminish in anyway the immense charm seeping from every frame of the movie. This charm stems from the near perfect characterizations of all the animals. Each animal is given a very human style, while at the same time retaining the uniqueness of the animal represented. I felt that there was a human soul within each animal, while at the same time recognizing each character’s body language to that of real animals. This successful combination, when it works, is what makes animal-based Disney movies so adorable. In, “The Jungle Book”, it works to perfection
Most Disney films are basically Broadway musicals set in imaginary worlds, and music is an important part of their delight. “The Jungle Book”, is chock full of memorable songs that fit within the plot and incorporate some captivating choreography. “The bare Necessities”, became a huge hit, and its dancing bear scene is one of the movie’s highlights. It is not the only toe tapping, smile inducing, song found. From, “Colonel Hathi’s March”, “I want to be like you”, and “What are friends for”, the entire soundtrack is superb. Each song has its own unique style that fits perfectly with the character who sings them.
No Disney movie would be complete without some element of danger within its plot. Here we have the clear risk of death that Mowgli faces in the hands of not only Shere Khan but also King Louie and Kaa. The snake Kaa even dreams of eating him alive. The film does a great job of keeping these dark elements of the plot just on the edge of reality, as to deflect any true horror for the younger viewers.
The best family movies are those movies where the accompanying parent enjoys themselves as much as the child does. “The Jungle Book”, is that type of movie and is guaranteed to create for those who watch it, a wonderful experience for both children and adults alike.
1001 Movies before you die 