"The Jungle Book" - Walt Disney's Swingin', Upbeat, Funny and Simplistic Cornerstone

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Yes, I thought the snake was a vine, but I'll blame the bananas who distracted me :)

 

Walt Disney's animated classic The Jungle Book has it's significant place in Disney's long history. First of all, it was the last film that Walt worked on himself, as he passed away a year before it's release.  
Though there`s been some theories about Book's popularity because of being Walt's last film, there's no denial that Book was a genuine, huge success during it's release. Both critically and commercially. Since then it's been heralded as a classic by Disney lovers and historians and being re-released trice. And being promoted among Walt's Pantheon (and being one of Germany's most successful films of all time).




Yes, there's a reason why it's called The Jungle Book , guys;)

My Own Personal History With Walt`s Features

The Jungle Book just happened to be my very first entry about a property of Walt. The reason for why was just of mere coincidence. Since Disney are basically labeled for it's different periods, it's hard to not associate their features with their specific timelines. I'm going to summarize my personal history regarding Walt's films; As aforementioned, until the age of 10, 

I considered Walt's films to be superior. It would be tempting to not list up a reason and just say "for some reason". But looking back I realize that their sheer innocence, endearedness and magic appealed to me more than the later films (call me old fashioned, haha).

Though it's tempting to claim that The Jungle Book would technically not belong to Walt's list, since it was released after his death (if you really ponder about it). However, it's still belongs to the Walt-list staple, since it was the last film he truly worked on. 

The Jungle Book`s Comedic, Happy-Go-Lucky Tone

We'll have to grow up before playing such games again :)

Through over it's 50 years of existence, The Jungle Book has really been mostly labeled for being light, fun and upbeat in tone. While it does have it's pensive and serious moments, the comedy and lightness is quite persistent throughout the film. While Walt's previous animated features had their moments of fun, it's fair to claim that there's a certain happy-go-luckiness to Book that is not to be found otherwise in Walt's pictures. 
Walt's first films were equally balanced by dark and lights moments. And while this is of course subjective, the darkness became less prominent in films like the semi-panned Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians and The Sword In The Stone (in my opinion). And it's fair to state that alongside Peter Pan, The Jungle Book is certainly catered towards a male demographic, due to it's male-demographic components.

The Similarities with The Aristocats and Robin Hood

Those claws will be
 hard to hypnotize :)

It's notable that the following films after Walt's death, The Aristocats and the semi-panned Robin Hood, would try to replicate the same frisky tone as Jungle Book. Though they're not being heralded by Disney historians and being perceived as overall tame, they`ve still managed to duplicate Jungle Book's feel and tone (in my opinion).
The anthropomorphic Robin Hood goes even further and copies the same animation/characters, a similar bear, snake and (and how about the famous The Phony King of England, which truly duplicates Jungle Book, Aristocats and the fairest of them all). The Jungle Book was the film that saved Disney Animation from going downhill. Despite that neither Aristocats nor Hood were outright flops, there could be another reason why they're not as worshiped by Disney historians; Because they simply didn't outgross The Jungle Book!

We're hiding from the Chicken Little :)

 

The Setting

 

Remarkably, The Jungle Book is the first film since Saludos Amigos that it's dedicated to a non-European culture! And having a dark-skinned protagonist since the "heralded" Song of The South (yes folks, note the irony ;). The Indian setting certainly was a progression for Walt (no, we're not debating whether Walt were racist or not). Though the film has some Indian elements, it's a pity that the Indian culture isn't really explored enough in this film. 

I'm adorable, ain't I? But I'm toxic, as Britney Spears ;)

Though following films would continue to explore Eastern corners, as Aladdin and Mulan (the former being panned for it), it's a pity that Disney haven't made another film set in India. And Disney have made several films with similar settings before, as England, France, USA and even Africa, so there's definitively room or it (though The Hunchback of Notre Dame would feature semi-Indian characters in the gypsies. And Esmeralda certainly looks Indian in her red dress).
But yes, despite this, there has been some racism thrown at The Jungle Book, as the monkeys have been accused for racism against African-Americans (*shrugs*).

The Story

I was smitten by how lazily this boat was made :)

Perhaps the most notable thing about The Jungle Book is how much dedication is given to everything else besides the story. Yes, I know this is subjective, but it's undeniable that the story is rather a skimpy one.
Bagheera finds the orphaned Mowgli (why he's orphaned is never explained) and giving him to a clan of wolves. The plot revolves how Mowgli (who's often referred as man cub) is taken back to a man village against his will, because of the arrival of Shere Khan (couldn't an entire clan of wolves defeat a tiger? And what about Mowgli not being able to say goodbye to his

I said A instead of cheese. I wanted to be original ;)

family?). The film revolves around the episodic events which, ironically enough, makes Mowgli more eager to stay in the jungle, despite him not being initially approachable to most of the creatures.
Not all of them has good intentions, as Kaa, Coronel Hathi and King Louie. But some of them does warm up to Mowgli, as Junior, the Vultures and last, but not least Baloo (who originally was just meant to have one scene in the movie).
In the end, Mowgli has a confrontation with the Shere Khan, a villain which appears remarkably late in the film, (due to Walt putting him off because of his non-faithful approach to the story), but it's remarkable that he never gets killed in the film (and the two felines never actually meets). But the film never confirms that the impetuous Mowgli actually realizes that he's not safe in the jungle. Before eventually becoming smitten by the village girl (which was named Shanti in the Jungle Book Groove PlayStation Game).

The Clash Between Walt and Bill Peet

For all the remarks about the slim and simplistic plotline, it was a suggestion from Walt himself (though he initially wanted the story to be serious). It's funny that Walt deliberately refused his staff to look at Kipling's original novels and stray away from it (though ironically, the book which opens the film actually has original lines from the novel). Though of course several elements from the book are present, The Jungle Book would certainly be the first example of the Disneyfication that Disney would be known and panned for.

Though Walt was interested in the original story in the late 30's, it was storyguy Bill Peet (who wrote several screenplays single-handedly), who suggested The Jungle Book to Walt. Which he bought the rights to in 1962. Peet had originally written a storyline that was quite faithful to Kipling's story and added some suspense, as the dramatic rescue of baby Mowgli.

But after the failure of The Sword in The Stone, Walt became more resistant towards Peet. Peet got a clash with him for their disagreements over the story (and also over Bagheera's voice over, actually) and left. Despite both of them agreeing on Mowgli`s main arc would be his return to his own kind.

Unfortunately Peet and Walt never made up before Walt's death, but Peet wrote some good words about Walt in his biography. 

Though there's nothing particularly wrong with straying away from a source material, the thing is Kipling's novels contains enough drama and plot to dramatize. Which is a reason why Walt`s version seems skimpier than Kipling`s (no offence). Yet Kipling's novel is pretty episodic in itself. Though there's been made several animated, non-Disney series about Book (also a CGI version from 2010), I recall watching a animated short as a child which was quite faithful to Kipling's novel. Yet that short haven`t been the only animated version that`s been faithful. Chuck Jones released the Mowgli`s Brothers-feature in 1976 that was quite faithful to the novel.

 

 

  

Opinions About the Story

The skimpy story is a reason why some current reviewers (and audience) are hesitant about The Jungle Book. And why they not find it compelling. Of course The Jungle Book is heralded, but it seems as the certain Disney lovers cherish it the most. It's well-known that Book is seen as the end of an Golden Era by Disney historians. And the films afterwards not being worthy enough until The Little Mermaid came along (which has drawn comparisons to Book for it's light and jolly tone).

The Jungle

Book has certainly inspired some components to The Lion King (another animalistic story with predators) and Tarzan, which at least gave the adoption theme some weight and depth. But before screaming plagiarism, remember that Rudyard Kiplings original novel was written prior to Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan of the Apes, believe it or not.

It's not as the screenplay for Jungle Book is horrible. But the problem is that the dramatic possibilities have been underused. It's not as the script has plot holes, but certain logical plotpoints are still left unanswered. 

Perhaps the straight-forward plot could be a reason why there`s so little elaborate information around the plot of The Jungle Book and why there`s practically been no making off-book written for it (with the exception of David Koenig`s Mouse Under Glass and The Art of The Jungle Book for the Jon Favreau-remake).

The Platinum Edition DVD of Jungle Book has certanly been the most elaborate regarding the information about the film, having a full-length making-off-documentary and some few featurettes. The Diamond Edition has a short featurette, but it was mostly repetition from the Platinum Edition.

The Characters

Walt's mantra was always to focus on strong personalities/characterizations on The Jungle Book. Though uptight Bagheera stands out from his peers with his strait-laced and stiff nature. As for Mowgli, though he shows signs of cordiality, it's unfortunately not explored enough.

Yes, I am going to eat ya. What else did you expect? :)

Though it's easy to sympathize with him for being taken away from his home, he does come across as a semi-Peter Pan for refusing to leave the home which represents his childhood (Walt's first child protagonists were innocent and endearing, but got spunkier and brattier afterwards).
The rest of the cast are more memorable, though. There`s no doubt that Baloo is the most likable of them! A bigger-than-life, happy go-lucky guy who most kids would simply love (who was my favorite character as a kid). The film takes time to develop a real bond between Mowgli and Baloo, despite him not being completely able to let go of Mowgli (which best friends and veteran animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas worked on).
Sterling Holloways Kaa is quite memorable, as is the charismatic and dignified Shere Khan. Even King Louie, despite not being sympathetic nor particularly developed, shines in his cameo. And let's not forget the fun, Beatles-inspired vultures! It`s remarkable that both Kaa and the Elephants have their recurrent scenes. While the monkeys, the wolves and the vultures appears in only one sequence.

  

 

 

 

 

 Mowgli`s Goal/Coming of Age Aspect

While coming of age is a recurrent theme in several Disney movies,
The Jungle Book handles it quite subtly, actually. Mowgli loves the jungle not only because being his home. But because of it being a fun place to be.

In true kid-manner, he refuses to grow up, unhtil he against his will, gets his tween-crush (despite the animators being hesitant about it).

The dilemma is excellently analyzed in Mari Ness' entry for Jungle Book, and really bringing up a important storypoint: That Mowgli actually earns his right to stay in the Jungle, despite the plot being structured differently for him. And Peet initially wanted to depict Mowgli's life in the village.

Celebrity Voice Talents

The Jungle Book was not be the first time Walt casted celebrities to voice the characters (Cliff Edwards were cast as Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio). But it was the first time where he casted a bunch of them! Mostly for the economy for the animators!

There were some conccern about it at the time, that the actors would date the characters. But the characters live on their own now. Actor, singer and comedian Phil Harris was actually an acquaintance of Walt. His persona influenced Baloo (despite that he had his own hesitations and initially rejected it due to another project). He would be a Disney veteran in the following years for both Aristocats and Robin Hood.

This is made for Guinness 
World Records :)

All About Eve's George Sanders provided Shere Khan with his subtle, suave villainy (his short singing was provided by Bill Lee of The Mellomen). Louis Prima played King Louie (coincidental name, huh?), a character who's not even from the book.

Mowgli himself was played Wolfgang Reitherman's son Bruce, who also voiced Winnie The Pooh's Christopher Robin and was somewhat modeled after him (though he wasn't the first choice, as David Bailey was first cast). Disney veteran Sterling Holloway played Kaa (while voicing Winnie The Pooh, though
the animators were initially apprehensive of using him, due to him being reused in several movies).

Family Affair's Sebastian Cabot voiced Bagheera. English Disney veteran J. Pat O'Malley was Coronel Hathi (and the lead vulture) and Disney-veteran Verna Felton was his mate, Winifred. Clint Howard, who would voice Roo in Pooh, voiced Junior the Elephant. And no, the Beatles didn't voice the Vultures! Though Disney were considering having them, their manager refused.

Music 

What The Jungle Book is certainly known for, are it's swinging and evocative songs! The two most famous ones, Bare Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You, have managed to become iconic Disney classics.
Less attention are given to the other songs. But to be fair, they're not completely neglected, either. It's notable how the very first song appears late in the movie (though it's not like 101 Dalmatians, a rare Walt movie which had few songs).

The veteran musicians at Disney at the time, the Sherman brothers, wrote the songs. But it's funny that folk singer (and Disney-worker) Terry Gilkyson's only remaining song was the breakout hit (Gilkerson's other songs were thrown out for their too serious tone). But as for authentic Indian folk music, while the score has some Indian influence, it still doesn`t have authentic Indian instruments within it. 

As for the musical style, the choice of Dixieland jazz and Barber Shop Quartet are indeed a headscratcher for purists (though the vultures had a rock song, which Walt took out in fear to date itself). But that's the dedication to the mass public ;)

Visuals

The Jungle Book is not often praised for it's visuals. But at least it has a soft watercolor look to the backgrounds. It's no secret that the Xerox process made the characters rougher and edgier-looking (which Walt supposedly hated).

However, it's not as evident than it's on the predecessors. At least it has a blend of sharp characters and mild backgrounds. It may not be the first Disney jungle, but certainly the most inspired and elaborated (uptil then). It must have been an exotic challenge for the layout department, who actually visited the Indian jungle. The Jungle Book is the first of Walt Disney's features since Bambi to take entirely place in a naturalistic setting with wild animals.

The memorable (and surprisingly sombre) overture takes the viewers on the locations which the film would revisit (an overture that The Fox and the Hound would ape). It was the first Disney film to have openings credits that went through locations in the film, compared to it's predecessors. It's also notable how much animation is reused from 101 Dalmatians, Sword In The Stone, The Adventures of Ichaboad and Mr, Toad and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh.

My Childhood Love for The Jungle Book

I can make human movements :) Impressive, huh?

Though I genuinely loved Walts' films as a child, as Dumbo, Lady & The Tramp, Cinderella, Peter Pan and even Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book was certainly one of Walt's films which I truly became obsessed with, alongside with Bambi. My love for Bambi was triggered by my love for animals. And that's certainly applies to Book.
Though ironically the protagonist is a human (which he was in the novel, duuuh), Book features an almost all-cast animals. Most of them naturalistic, but some of them semi-anthropomorphized. The monkeys, elephants and vultures having human hair (at least Tarzan had an equal blend of humans and animals).
But my love for The Jungle Book was also because of it being a genuinely enjoyable and charming film. Which I still consider it to be today. It's frisky and endearing tone may be the reason for captivating a huge audience, which it's completely deserved. Despite my previous ranted about the vague plotline, I truly have a fondness for Book despite it's shortcomings.

Spinoff-series, Cheapquel and Live Action Adaptations

Shiny Happy People. Oh, we meant creatures ;)

The Jungle Book was given various spinoff adaptations from Disney. Baloo, Louie and Shere Khan got anthropomorphized in the cute Tale's Spin (1990-91). Despite the creators claiming that the spin off not being intentional choice, but they were being interested in Baloo himself. An odd choice, but it works. Notable that Baloo and Louie is given an actual friendship, despite that it's barely explored in the movie itself. And let's not forget their catchy theme song!  
The Jungle Book would be remade in several live action versions, as in Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, The Scorpion King, Van Helsing) 1994 version with Jason Scott Lee, Sam Neill and John Cleese. It certainly was a Tarzan depiction (though Disney didn't hatch the idea).  
The more kid-oriented Mowgli's Story was made in 1998 directly to video. Made by Nick Mark (Veronica Mars) and Eartha Kitt voicing Bagheera.
In 2016 we've got another Jungle Book remake, a delayed one (from the director of Iron Man, Jon Favreau, which been promoted as, haha). With Scarlett Johanson, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray and Christopher Walken (there were rumors about new songs from Richard Sherman, but it reuses the two signature songs)! At least this film has been a critically and commercial success. And deservedly so, since it's the best live action adaptation of The Jungle Book to date (another live action redemption after Kenneth Brannagh's Cinderella). 
We got another spinoff series in The Jungle Cubs (1996-98), where it shows the characters as kids (though one home video full-length episode actually had Mowgli reminiscing with Baloo).

A sequel was considered in the late sixties and songs were written and released on the More Jungle Book album! A story that continues Baloo and Mowgli's relationship and Mowgli rescuing him from a human trap (which storyguy Larry Clemmons was a part of). But we got an actual sequel in 2003's The Jungle Book 2, a cheapquel that was released theatrically. Originally it was going to be about Baloo saving a love interest.

I know that I'm in a minority and that I'm going to be panned for this. But I do have a soft spot for the sequel, despite it's shortcomings (lackluster songs and cheap, juvenile jokes). Mostly because not being a rehash of the original film, as most Disney sequels are, but an actual continuation. It actually gives Mowgli and Baloo some depth and arcs. Mowgli is torn between his village life and the jungle. Though Shanti unfortunately is been reduced to a lackluster character, at least she's given some screentime and arc. 

John Goodman voices Baloo (which would be a new Disney voice
actor with The Emperor's New Groove, Monsters Inc and The Princess and the Frog). Phil Collins (actually) voices Lucky, while Haley Joel Osment voices Mowgli (apparently having recorded his lines as younger, due to him being a teen in the early 2000's). Tony Jay voiced Shere Khan, while Mae Withman (yes, Tinker Bell) voiced Shanti. John Rhys-Davies voiced Mowgli's adoptive father. King Louie didn't appear, due to Prima's family suing Disney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

Yes, I'm using you for a trashcan, kid :)

Overall, The Jungle Book is a high point in Disney's history and has made it's mark on it's legacy. While the story may be skimpy and slim, there's no doubt that The Jungle Book is beloved and heralded for it's other strengths.
I do consider it to be a genuine enjoyable and enchanting film. I remember seeing it twice theatrically as a kid as an eight-year old in 1993 (one time with my whole school, suggested by my teacher, who was smitten by my interest on this film). And seeing it several times on when I received on VHS on my birthday (to my dad's despair). So let's get the bare necessities of life ;)

 

Damn, it was so difficult to make the jungle jumpin, 
so we forgot to record it. But this is a cartoon afterall ;)

 

 

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References:
The Jungle Book Platinum Edition
Mouse Under Glass (David Koenig)
The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms and Beyond (Christopher Finch).
The Jungle Book Diamond Edition
Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules (Bob Thomas).
The Making of The Jungle Book (1997) 
The Jungle Book/The Second Jungle Book (Rudyard Kipling)
Tarzan of The Apes (Edgar Rice Burroughs). 
The Mouse That Roared: Disney and The End of Innocence (Henry A. Giroux).  
The Jungle Book The Official Collector's Edition (2016)
http://www.threecommentears.com/2014/08/the-three-commentears-episode-16-the-jungle-book/
https://books.google.no/books?id=5JHrODsAdNwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=no#v=onepage&q=interest&f=false
http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31006 
http://www.moviefone.com/2014/12/23/richard-sherman-jungle-book/
http://time.com/3048493/christopher-walken-jungle-book/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ben-kingsley-joins-disneys-jungle-714889
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scarlett-johansson-lupita-nyongo-talks-698578
http://animatedviews.com/2012/bob-hilgenberg-and-rob-muir-on-the-rise-and-fall-of-disneys-circle-7-animation/
http://www.slashfilm.com/jon-favreau-in-talks-to-direct-the-jungle-book/ 
http://www.tor.com/2015/08/20/walt-disney-supervises-his-last-film-the-jungle-book/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TaleSpin
http://www.animationsource.org/talespin/en/custom_questions/Production_information/147.html&nump=1338
http://web.archive.org/web/20030202151522/http://www.animated-movies.net/TheJungleBook.html 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10202873/The-Jungle-Book-the-making-of-Disneys-most-troubled-film.html
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Jungle-Book-Blu-ray/7713/#Review
http://www.dvdmg.com/junglebook.shtml https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly4JqtekoLY
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jungle-book-live-action-reboot-582283 
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/germany-original-jungle-book-biggest-885953