Bambi – Anniversary Edition / Walt Disney Signature Collection

I will shamefully admit that this is a Disney movie that I had never seen before. I can now check it off my bucket list.

Disney took a chance on animated features when the world was shouting that they had no place in the movie business. Odds were defied with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, though Disney wasn’t satisfied with its success, or amused by the oscars presented to him for the film, yet the idea of his fifth feature being a ‘coming of age’ film that was led by a deer was a risk, but a risk that would produce a timeless classic.

What came out of the film Bambi was a beautiful tale that certainly represented the wonder and splendor of life and discovery, as well as the cruel, harsh reality that where there is life, there is most certainly death. Nonetheless, it was a coming-of-age film that would leave its mark on future generations. I’m certain that most childhoods were scarred by this or The Fox and the Hound.

Anyway, let’s dig right into it.

The story starts out innocent enough with a stir in the forest from the birth of a new prince, Bambi. Fascinated animals flock around the newborn fawn giving brief introductions to the major players in Bambi’s life. The moment introduces Thumper, a nice, yet rude Rabbit. It also introduces us to Flower, a sweet skunk. Lastly, it introduces us to Faline, a female future love interest of Bambi. Quick, simple and cute introductions of the Bambi crew that help establish their personalities and what they will eventually mean in the newborn fawn’s life.

As the story progresses from newborn to adolescent, the movie uses the seasons to transition from one stage of Bambi’s life to the next. The seasons also set up moments of playfulness between the forest friends, which helps to push the movie along and create some endearing moments, as well as a reminder of Disney’s magic in animation. For example, when winter comes along, Thumper shows Bambi a frozen lake, which presents a slippery opportunity for the duo to create some wacky, fun moments. The winter also brings about more discovery and difference in animals, as Flower is the only hibernating friend in the bunch, which confuses both Thumper and Bambi.

When winter begins to show signs of spring, life is breathed into the moments, as well as the ever-presence of death. While Bambi discovers how wonderful the world can be, as well as yummy when he sees the first grass of the spring season, he also sees the harsh reality of his departing childhood through the death of his mom by the hands of ‘man’. While this is 1942 and you don’t see the hunter, gun or actual death of Bambi’s mother, leaving the tragic moment to the imagination is incredibly powerful, as well as very un-Disney, but in a good way.

From there Bambi is taken by his father and pushed along to grow up quick and become the young buck he was meant to be. The shifting tone from childhood to young adult is quick. Humor is brought back into the mix to help ease the horror from Bambi’s mom’s departure. Bambi is grown up in the next scene, though reunited with his friends. He and his slightly older crew begin to discover their future mates, which brings back the humor in full force. We get to see the affect of female animals on their future mates. From that point, the film transitions back to seriousness, as Bambi confronts a rival buck, who is trying to move in on Faline. A fight ensues and Faline’s heart is won over in the end by the lead character.

The film caps Bambi’s life with the burning of the forest, his transition from son to leader and ends in an intense way by leading animals to safety and by saving his love from the clutches of ‘man’. Taking the reigns of king, Bambi makes his own way and his own legacy with Faline and starts to complete his life with his new family.

Walt Disney and his animators’ ability to capture animals beautifully in spectacular form and then translate the true Disney magic to the mix with a touch a seriousness is why Bambi is one of the best Walt Disney films of all-time. It is a perfect representation of how an animated feature film should be and one of the moments in Disney’s life where the idea of an animated film finally could be taken seriously. It’s the Grave of the Fireflies of the 1940s. Beautifully woven, humorous at times and devastating, but in a balanced way. It’s a must-have for those who don’t own it.

Quality
The newly released Bambi into Walt Disney’s Signature Collection of films treats the classic well. What I was particularly impressed with in this release, much like in the Pinocchio release, is how cleaned up Walt Disney Studios made this 75 year old classic. You won’t find any quality drops, graininess or any signs of deterioration — it’s a perfect transfer. It’s so clean that you can even see the pencil markings in the animation below the color. It’s remarkable and great way to treat a classic film.

Special Features
In terms of special features, here’s what you should expect:

(New)
· THE BAMBI EFFECT
· STUDIO STORIES: “BAMBI”
· DELETED SCENE: BAMBI’S ICE AND SNOW
· DELETED SCENE: THE GRASSHOPPER
· BAMBI FAWN FACTS
· OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT: “AFRICA BEFORE DARK” – Oswald Short.
· CELEBRATING TYRUS WONG (DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE)