The Jungle Book

Reviewer: Alyice Edrich

The Cartoon

The Jungle Book, 1967

The Plot

A boy named Mowgli is raised by wolves in the Indiana Jungle. One day, the boy’s life is threatened by Sher Kahn (the tiger). Certain the safest place for Mowgli is with the humans, the Bagheera (the panther) agrees to take him back to civilization. But there’s only one catch. Mowgli doesn’t want to live with humans. Determined to stay in the jungle, Mowgli sneaks off and meets up with Baloo (the bear). At first Baloo wants to help Mowgli stay in the jungle and sets out to help him learn to care for himself. But after Mowgli’s life is threatened by Bagheera, Baloo teams up with Bagheera to return Mowgli to the humans.

Starring

Bruce Reitherman, Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima, George Sanders, Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O’Malley, and more.

The Review

Disney’s version of The Jungle Book is based off Rudyard Kipling's book of the same name. Many versions of Mowgli’s life have been told and retold throughout the years with Mowgli, the child raised by animals, somehow returning to civilization. The plots are always filled with life lessons and difficult tasks. But when it comes to Disney’s version of The Jungle Book, the story is oversimplified, without much of a plot: the boy is raised by wolves, the tiger wants to kill the boy, the boy is sent back to “man-kind”.

Oversimplified or not, Disney’s version is a classic not to be missed. The storyline moves fast as Mowgli travels throughout the Indiana jungle meeting various native animals and encountering many adventures—adventures that continue to give him reason to stay in the jungle where it’s fun; that is, until he meets a beautiful Indian girl who summons his heart to return to civilization.

Disney’s The Jungle Book is filled with plenty of song and dance which makes it quite entertaining for both adults and children and if you look close enough, you’ll even find a few lessons on child safety, friendship, and responsibility.

If you own an earlier version of Disney’s The Jungle Book, you might not feel there’s a reason to purchase Disney’s Platinum edition, but let me assure you there is. The Platinum edition includes a second disc complete with games, activities, sing-a-longs, a documentary on the making of the cartoon, and an all-new music video featuring the classic hit, “I Wanna Be Like You”.

Your Task

As you watch The Jungle Book, ask your kids if they can spot areas where Mowgli would have been safer staying close to his guardian, Bagheera. Ask them what they should do if they find themselves in a life threatening situation. Ask them if they can tell who Mowgli’s true friends are and what makes them true friends. And then put in that second disc in and have a little family fun!