The Jungle Book

Released October 18, 1967, Disney’s adaptation of The Jungle Book was Walt’s last film. He passed away during production. With a cast that included Louis Prima and Phil Harris, the film eventually spawned two television series (TaleSpin and Jungle Cubs), a live action remake and was the first Disney film to receive a sequel.

The film begins as Mowgli is found in a basked deep in the jungle by Bagheera, a black panther. He is taken to be raised by wolves. Ten years later, the tribe learns that Shere Khan, a man eating tiger, has returned. Bagheera volunteers to take Mowgli back to the Man Village.

However, Mowgli wants to stay and that night, Kaa, a python, appears and tries unsuccessfully to eat him. The next morning, he tries to join the elephant patrol and though he is denied, Bagheera leaves him on his own. Eventually, he meets Baloo, who shows him how to have a care free life.

Shortly, Mowgli is kidnapped by monkeys and taken to King Louie who wants him to tell him the secret of fire. However, Mowgli does not know how to do so, but Bagheera and Baloo rescue him. That night Bagheera and Baloo agree to take Mowgli back. But he runs away again. Bagheera rallies a search party, but Shere Khan eavesdrops and decides to hunt and kill Mowgli.

Mowgli encounters Kaa again, but Shere Khan interrupts and unwittingly allows Mowgli to escape.

Mowgli then encounters some British buzzards who agree to be his friends. Shere Khan approaches, scares them off and approaches Mowgli. Baloo arrives and keeps him away, but is injured. Lightning strikes a tree and Mowgli is able to tie a flaming branch around Shere Khan’s tail.

Bagheera and Baloo finally take Mowgli to the edge of the Man Village, where he is distracted by a young girl fetching water. He follows her and chooses to stay.

This is one of Disney’s most fun films to watch. Every song in the film is memorable and will stick with viewers long after the credits have rolled. It’s also no coincidence that The Bear Necessities has basically become the theme song to those who live carefree lives.

It’s also interesting to note that the film has not one, but three villains. All of which are pretty interesting. The only villain to actually be evil is Shere Khan. Kaa is just hungry and will do anything to get something to eat and King Louis wants fire so he can interact with humans. But here’s what makes Shere Khan such a great villain: he doesn’t appear for the first two-thirds of the film. Until then, he is spoken of in terrified, hushed whispers. And when he finally does appear, he perfectly fits the reputation he is given. But he’s also distinguished and gentlemanly, which means, he’s gotten his reputation because he enjoys what he does, not just the fact that he does it. That makes him even more terrifying and even more dangerous.

And Mowgli is realistic. He wants to stay in the jungle because it’s what’s familiar to him. And the only thing that will convince him to leave is a pretty girl. Now I’ve done some stupid things because of women, so I completely understand his thought process when he decides to follow her to the Man Village.

On the other hand, Baloo and Bagheera are Those Two Guys, who don’t really have much characterization. The former is the lazy oaf and the latter is the stern responsible one. However, they play off each other very well. The animation for the film is interesting as well. It looks like the colorized version of a storyboard. However, it gives it more of a sense that it’s a tale being told. So it kind of works.

Final Call: a fun film that has two interesting villains and a formidable one. Dethrones Bambi as #7.