Bambi (1942)

Directed by David Hand, James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, and Norman Wright

Written by Perce Pearce and Larry Morey. Based on the novel Bambi, a Life in the Woods by Felix Salten

Premiered August 9, 1942

70 minutes
Rated G

Synopsis

In the forest, a doe (Paula Winslowe) gives birth to a fawn named Bambi (Donnie Dunagan/Hardie Albright/John Sutherland), whom is christened the young prince. As Bambi grows up and discovers the wonders of the forest, he befriends a rabbit named Thumper (Peter Behn/Tim Davis/Sam Edwards) and a skunk named Flower (Stan Alexander/Tim Davis/Sterling Holloway), and avoids the affections of fellow fawn Faline (Cammie King/Ann Gillis). But great tragedy strikes and once Bambi has grown into a young buck, he and his friends must navigate new challenges such as finding a mate.

Before We Begin

Bambi was the first Disney Animated Feature released after the United States entered World War II. It lost money because the European market was...busy and also because Bambi was super expensive to make. Instead of having a normal background like other DAFs, this one had "multi-plane" technology, which used several layers of glass--all painted with different features--stacked on top of each other to create depth for the characters at the forefront. But after the war, much like with Pinocchio, Bambi was reissued, eventually made its money back and then became the classic we know it as today.

I remember renting Bambi when I was very young. Our VCR started eating the tape and I cried when I couldn't watch the rest of it.

Mötley Müsings

• "Love Is a Song" has nothing to do with Bambi, but I rather enjoy it.

• This certainly deserves to be watched on Blu-ray, but all I have is my Fully Restored 55th Anniversary Limited Edition VHS. Go me.

• Oh, crotchety Friend Owl! These forest animals are fucking adorable.

• This is my first time watching this movie as a vegetarian. (Although, for the record, I never did try venison.)

• BUNNIES!

• I'm sure this movie is boring as fuck to some people, but I don't mind its lack of plot. It's only 70 minutes.

• So...Bambi's mom must be Princess of the Forest, since she mated with the Great Prince of the Forest and Bambi is the young Prince? I mean, for him to be legitimate...or else he be Bambi Fitzroy or something.

• Bambi is a girl's name for the record. It was also a common stripper name for awhile, but I don't frequent the clubs so I don't know if it is anymore.

• Is there anyone who isn't cute in this damn movie!?

• "DID THE YOUNG PRINCE FALL DOWN?"

• "I'm thumpin'. That's why they call me Thumper!"

• If Thumper were a human child, I would hate him.

• "He can call me a Flower if he wants to. I don't mind."

• "Little April Shower" is a lovely sequence.

• "You must never rush out on the meadow."

• "Eating greens is a special treat, it makes long ears and great big feet...but it sure is awful stuff to eat."

• Uh oh, a GIRL.

• Cammie King has two credits: voicing Faline in Bambi and playing Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone with the Wind. #themoreyouknow

• So, all the bucks travel in a great big pack? Is there any reality to this?

• And there's his deadbeat dad. He's too busy and too important to be involved in his son's life. 

• Oh shit. "Man was in the forest." And he's gonna eat you and put your head on his wall!

• And winter means hunting season.

• "The water's stiff!"

• Poor Flower's trying to hibernate. "Well, good night."

• "Winter sure is long, isn't it?" No shit!

• Oh no. There's that ominous music again.

• And you're not supposed to kill the does!

• "We made it, Mother!" #crying

• "Your mother can't be with you anymore. Come...my son."

• INSERT BAMBI II NOW.

• Okay, this probably the worst scene transition in the history of cinema. "Let's Sing a Gay Little Spring Song!"

• Friend Owl can't get any so he wants to ruin everyone's fun. "Pain in the pinfeathers, I call it."

• Bambi's all grown up!

• "You know just the other day, I was talking to myself about you..."

• "Yes, nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. For example: you're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden, you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather; and before you know it, you're walking on air...."

• "Yes, it could even happen to you!" Flower's the first to fall.

• Flowers all "What can I say? I like the poon."

• Another one bites the dust..."Oh, I didn't see you there..."

• "Don't you remember me? I'm Faline..." Oh, a call back. Nice.

• Prancing in the clouds is a bit much, but here's Ronno (yes, he has a name, he's from the book) to challenge Bambi for Faline. And he's pissed. 

• The colors here are nice.

• Here comes this film's version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?". It's a duet called "Looking for Romance".

• Anyone else thinking of Fantasia with these dancing flowers? And a little Pocahontas?

• Uh oh. Man's back.

• Life before cell phones, amiright?

• This scene with the pheasants. "I CAN'T STAND IT ANY LONGER."

• Oh fuck, hunting dogs! Faline's at damsel in distress status. I've seen this movie at least 15 times and I totally don't remember this dog part. :-|

• Jesus! How does Bambi survive the gunshot wound?

• And not only does that bastard Man try to kill the poor animals, he doesn't completely douse his campfire and now the forest is ablaze!

• Yeah...but seriously, how does Bambi survive?

• Just your average father-son bonding moment.

• The forest regrows itself. Flower has a baby named Bambi. Faline has twins. The circle of life continues. Let's hope Bambi is more involved in his kids' lives.

Final Thoughts

It's hard not to compare Bambi and Pinocchio (and Dumbo, but we'll see when that comes up in the draw. Honestly, I'm hoping not next.) Bambi and Pinocchio are both "coming of age" stories from the Golden Era of Disney. Both look amazing and were therefore both stupid expensive to make and thusly, they both lost money. However, most critics responded positively to Pinocchio while reviews were much more mixed for Bambi. Some people didn't like the lack of fantasy elements, others didn't like the lack of plot, and further still, some didn't like the anti-hunting message.

Knowing that I'm a vegetarian, you might be able to guess how I feel about all that. I'll give you that it's slow and not much happens, and the music is pretty blah, but I still like it. Bambi is a calming movie to me and I always enjoy watching it because it's so brief. If it were any longer...eh...

And it makes me cry.

Favorite Character

Flower

Favorite Moment -- Flower, Thumper and Bambi get twitterpated.

Favorite Song -- "Love is a Song" performed by Donald Novis