"Bambi" is a timeless tale that chronicles the life of a young deer named Bambi from his birth through childhood, the loss of his mother, his discovery of love, and his eventual rise to become the Prince of the Forest.
Set against the backdrop of a lush forest, the narrative delves deep into the joys, challenges, and harsh realities of life in the wild. As Bambi grows, he makes friends like Thumper, the playful rabbit, and Flower, the bashful skunk.
However, as seasons change, Bambi learns about the inherent dangers of the forest, especially from Man, the unseen antagonist who poses a constant threat to the animals. The film beautifully captures the essence of growth, friendship, love, loss, and resilience.
Quick Facts:
- Director: David Hand (supervising)
- Producer(s): Walt Disney
- Screenwriter(s): Story direction by Perce Pearce and story adaptation by Larry Morey. The film also had contributions from several other writers for individual sequences.
- Starring: Donnie Dunagan (Bambi - Young), Hardie Albright (Bambi - Adolescent), John Sutherland (Bambi - Adult), Paula Winslowe (Bambi's Mother), Peter Behn (Thumper - Young), and many more.
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Family
- Runtime: 70 minutes
- Rating: G (General Audience)
- Box Office: $267.4 million (adjusted for inflation)
Cast and Characters:
- Bambi: The titular character, a white-tailed deer who grows from a fawn to the Prince of the Forest. His journey is one of self-discovery, love, and overcoming adversity.
- Thumper: A young, energetic rabbit who becomes one of Bambi's first friends. He's known for his cheerful disposition and the thumping of his left hind foot.
- Flower: A skunk who is another of Bambi's close friends. Despite his name, Flower is male and is named so by Bambi in a playful moment.
- Faline: A female deer who becomes Bambi's love interest and later his mate. She's playful, caring, and shares many adventures with Bambi.
- The Great Prince of the Forest: Bambi's father, who is distant at first but later plays a crucial role in guiding and mentoring Bambi after the loss of his mother.
- Bambi's Mother: A caring and protective figure who introduces Bambi to the wonders of the forest. Her tragic fate is a turning point in the narrative.
Where to Read
United States (US)
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Australia (AU)
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United Kingdom (GB)
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Germany (DE)
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Canada (CA)
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Production:
- Filming Locations: The film, being an animation, didn't have traditional filming locations. However, the animators drew inspiration from the Eastern American woodlands, and Disney even set up a small zoo at the studio with animals that could be studied by the animators for realistic movement and behavior.
- Budget: Estimated at $858,000 (a significant amount for its time)
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions
Reception:
- Critical Reception: Upon its initial release, "Bambi" received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it overly sentimental.
However, over the years, it has been re-evaluated and is now considered one of Disney's greatest achievements.
The film's animation, particularly its realistic portrayal of nature, has been widely praised. The American Film Institute has ranked "Bambi" as the third-best film in the animation genre in its "AFI's 10 Top 10" list. - Audience Reception: Generations of audiences have cherished "Bambi" for its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and its portrayal of the circle of life. It remains a beloved classic in the Disney canon.
- Awards and Nominations: "Bambi" was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Sound (Sam Slyfield), Best Song (for "Love Is a Song" sung by Donald Novis) and Original Music Score. In 2008, the American Film Institute held a poll of the greatest animated films ever made and "Bambi" placed third, behind only "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Pinocchio."