365 Films A Year!

I’ve certainly seen the original Bambi many times (I’ve owned it on laserdisc for years before getting the Platinum DVD), but this was the first time I had seen it (and it’s straight-to-video offspring) since having read the original novel by Felix Salten. And the thing that struck me the most is how perfectly Walt adn his team distilled that book into the well-loved movie. The book is much harsher (and, in fact, the characters are harder to like). The film is able to take the basic idea (understanding the very different thought processes of woodland creatures) and make it all clear, while still keeping everyone likable. This, more than anything else, was Walt Disney’s genius. Like recognizing that Pinnocchio becomes an instantly relatable story just by *not* killing the cricket, he saw what needed changing to amke the film work.

Much ringing of hands and gnashing of teeth has been done over the Disney straight-to-video line, but as I said originally, Bambi II is actually pretty good. I can also now report that it takes some sequences from the book that were left out of the original. (None of the overly harsh stuff, but more of that “what it’s like for deer” material.) A nice touch that the filmmaker didn’t necessarily have to make.

Bambi is, of course, a classic. But I am pleased to remind people that Bambi II is pretty good as well and does nothing to ruin the heritage of the original film.

Original review of Bambi.

Original review of Bambi II.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 am and is filed under 1942, 2006, Animation, Based on Book, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sequel, Straight to Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.