The Rudyard Kipling tale “The Jungle Book” is just a little bit odd, to say the least. But when you put it in the hands of a master like Walt Disney, and add some talking animals, and a groovin’ monkey king, you’ve got a hit on your hands.
Walt Disney’s version of “The Jungle Book” features a kindly panther named Bagheera, voiced by Sebastian Cabot, who comes upon an abandoned baby boy in a basket in the jungle. He knows of a kindly wolf family who could do right by the boy, so he takes his bundle and leaves it where the wolves can find it. They take the child in, name him Mowgli, and he is raised with the wolf pack. Bagheera stays close by to keep an eye on things.
But word has come that Shere Khan the tiger has returned to that part of the jungle, and he hates men. He wants to kill Mowgli so he will never grow up to use a gun. Bagheera and the wolves decide that in order to save Mowgli’s life, they must return him to the man village. Bagheera volunteers to take him, and they will begin their journey in the morning.
When Mowgli finds out where they are going, he’s resistant. He has no memory of ever living with people and he wants to stay in the jungle. But an encounter with a hungry and persistent python named Kaa (voiced by Sterling Holloway) convinces Bagheera even more that Mowgli simply is not safe in the jungle.
The next day, they bump into Baloo, a big loveable bear voiced by Phil Harris. Baloo is a lazy, down-to-earth bear who doesn’t see the need for Mowgli to be so worried about Shere Khan. He volunteers to teach Mowgli how to be a bear. That will solve everything! Bagheera has just about had it and throws up his paws, agreeing to let Baloo take a swipe at it. But not five minutes later, he hears Baloo hollering for help. The chimpanzees have just stolen Mowgli!
This is my favorite part of the entire film. King Louie, voiced by the legendary Louie Prima, has decided that he wants to be a man, and the only thing he lacks (in his opinion) is the knowledge of how to make fire. He’s sure Mowgli can teach him, and so he has sent his servants to snatch the boy. But Mowgli doesn’t know how to make fire, and it’s up to Baloo and Bagheera to save him from the monkeys. The problem is, Baloo keeps getting distracted by the groovy jungle beat and can’t seem to do his job!
Finally we reach the showdown between Mowgli and Shere Khan, and Mowgli’s fate must be determined. You’ll laugh one minute and be filled with suspense the next as you see it all play out. One of my favorite classic Disney films by far, you will want to add this one to your collection.
A sidenote: Bruce Reitherman, who voices Mowgli, is the son of director of the film, Wolfgang Reitherman.
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