Voices of Bobby Stewart, Paula Winslowe, Peter Behn, and Will Wright
Directed by David Hand and others
Music by Frank Churchill; Lyrics by Larry Morey
In the 1930's and early 40's, the Disney Studios worked hard to take animation from the comic "rubber hose" characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse to something far closer to real-life. Disney bought the rights in 1937 and intended it to be his second full-length animated film, but World War II and the challenges of animating realistic dear caused it to be put on hold. Critics found it too dark and a bit too true to life for their liking when it finally came out, but how does it look now, at an equally grim time? Let's begin during summer in the forest, just as the new Prince is about to be born, and find out...
The Story: Bambi (Stewart) is befriended almost at birth by energetic rabbit Thumper (Behn) and bashful skunk Flower (Stan Alexander), who teach him to walk and talk. He's very close with his mother, remaining almost constantly at her side. He's also naturally curious, always asking questions about the world around him. The woods and meadows are beautiful, peaceful places for Bambi and his friends to grow up...but they're dangerous, too. Even as he meets giggly doe Faline, Bambi, his mother, and his father The Great Prince of the Forest are chased off the meadow by an intangible threat his mother only refers to as "man."
The cold winter months are a more visible problem, as food becomes scarce and the sheltering leaves vanish. "Man" returns on a bitter stormy day, leaving tragedy in their wake and Bambi alone with his father. Even as he and his friends grow to adulthood and find their mates, "man" continues to lurk in the background, leaving destruction in their wake.
The Animation: Some of the best Disney ever did. Details of the forest - blowing leaves, shining rain drops, fluttering birds, blossoming flowers - burst from every frame. The watercolor backgrounds are utterly stunning, bringing the dark world of nature to blooming life. Disney's work on animating realistic animals paid off. While their features are exaggerated just enough to allow for facial expressions, they move and run and skate like real deer and rabbits and skunks you'd see on a stroll through the woods.
The Song and Dance: One of Disney's simplest, most beautiful, and darkest movies. The story of the balance of nature - and how us humans tend to wreck havoc on it - is rendered in some of Disney's finest artwork and most adorable characters. Kudos to the kids performing Thumper, Bambi, and Flower as babies - they're so funny, with dialogue that sounds true-to-life for children even now. The hilarious Thumper gets most of the best lines and has always been my favorite character. A gorgeous score by Churchill more than matches the animation with its soaring orchestral sound that knows when to be silent and when to celebrate.
Favorite Number: "Love Is a Song" is the soaring ballad on life and rebirth that open and closes the film. "Little April Showers" plays in the background as Bambi dashes for home with his mother and witnesses those showers falling all over the woods. Bambi and Faline are "Looking for Romance" in the lovely ballad for the chorus that provides the backdrop for their romp through the woods after they meet up again as grown deer.
Trivia: "Love Is a Song" was nominated for an Oscar in 1942, along with the sound mixing and the lovely original score.
Disney announced a photorealistic CGI remake in January 2020.
What I Don't Like: Critics at the time complained noisily about the lack of fantasy and the dark story, including the death of Bambi's mother. Even now, the story may be a little too heavy for very young children who would otherwise be attracted by the cute and funny baby animals.
The Big Finale: This may have been a flop in 1942, but it's now considered one of Disney's most charming and beautiful movies. Check it out with older kids who can handle some of the heavier moments.
Home Media: Once one of the movies Disney pulled in and out of the "vault" from time to time, this is now easily found in all formats, including on Disney Plus with a subscription.
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