Bambi (1942)

Director:

David Hand

Writers:

Felix Salten (story)
Perce Pearce (story)

Release Date:

21 August 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Walt Disney's multiplane technicolor feature

Plot:

Animated film about a young deer, Bambi, growing up in the wild after his mother is shot by hunters.

Plot Keywords:

Bambi | Deer | Forest | Hunter | Growing Up

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Hardie Albright	...	Adolescent Bambi (voice) (uncredited)
Stan Alexander	...	Young Flower (voice) (uncredited)
Bobette Audrey	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Peter Behn	...	Young Thumper (voice) (uncredited)
Thelma Boardman	...	Mrs. Quail / Pheasant (voice) (uncredited)
Janet Chapman	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Jeanne Christy	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Dolyn Bramston Cook	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Marion Darlington	...	Bird Sounds (voice) (uncredited)
Tim Davis	...	Adult Thumper / Adolescent Flower (voice) (uncredited)
Donnie Dunagan	...	Young Bambi (voice) (uncredited)
Sam Edwards	...	Adult Thumper (voice) (uncredited)
Ann Gillis	...	Adult Faline (voice) (uncredited)
Otis Harlan	...	Mr. Mole (voice) (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Eddie Holden	...	Chipmunk (voice) (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Sterling Holloway	...	Adult Flower (voice) (uncredited)
Jack Horner	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Thelma Hubbard	...	Girl Bunny / Quail Mother / Female Pheasant (voice) (uncredited)
Cammie King	...	Young Faline (voice) (uncredited)
Mary Lansing	...	Aunt Ena / Mrs. Possum (voice) (uncredited)
Margaret Lee	...	Thumper's Mother (voice) (uncredited)
Clarence Nash	...	Bullfrog (voice) (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Babs Nelson	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Sandra Lee Richards	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Francesca Santoro	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Fred Shields	...	Great Prince Of The Forest (voice) (uncredited)
Bobby Stewart	...	Baby Bambi (voice) (uncredited)
John Sutherland	...	Adult Bambi (voice) (uncredited)
Paula Winslowe	...	Bambi's Mother / Pheasant (voice) (uncredited)
Elouise Wohlwend	...	Additional Voices (voice) (uncredited)
Will Wright	...	Friend Owl (voice) (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Walt Disney's Bambi (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Portugal:M/4 | Australia:G | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Argentina:Atp | Canada:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Peru:PT | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #5013) (original rating) | USA:G (re-rating) (1974) | Greece:K | Iceland:L

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

The movie is responsible for the so-called "Bambi-confusion" ("Bambi-Irrtum") in German-speaking countries. In the book Bambi is a roe-deer (German: Reh). But since there are no roe-deers in the US, Walt Disney changed Bambi's appearance to that of a white-tailed deer, which in turn is unknown in Europe. However, both the original German-dubbed version from 1950 and the re-dubbing from 1970 stuck to the original Salten-Version and called Bambi a roe-deer instead of a stag (German: Hirsch), which would be a lot more correct. Since the appearance of Bambi's father and Bambi in adult life resemble a red-deer (which is common in Europe) a lot closer than an adult roe-deer, kids in German-speaking regions for the past 60 years have come to believe that a Reh (roe-deer) is the younger version of a (Rot)Hirsch (Red deer). This confusion has never really been cleared up for many so that this is now even taught to children by their parents who saw the movie when they were young.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the meadow scene Faline's eyes change from blue to brown, then back to blue in later scenes.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Thumper: Wake up, wake up!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Married with Children: So This Is How Sinatra Felt (#6.12)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Thumper Song

Disney's Truest Masterpiece--Man Is In The Forest!

From the opening scene where the multiplane camera glides through a quiet forest until the stirring forest fire climax, a viewer has to be aware he is watching one of the all-time great films. So much of the cycle of life is covered that it's hard to realize the film is a mere 69 minutes. In a book called 'The Making of Bambi', Ollie Johnston reveals that originally there was much more footage that Disney eventually trimmed, cutting out whole sequences before the film previewed. Obviously, he made a wide decision.

There is no extraneous scene here, it moves seamlessly through its cycle of life story with the charming animal creatures carrying the story to its logical conclusion. The background music complements all of the drama and comedy. The storm sequence is the most beautiful blend of music and drawings ever achieved by the Disney artists. The naturally drawn deer are the result of months of careful preparation and study, giving the entire film the feel of a nature study as well as giving the audience great entertainment.

The choral work is extremely effective, particularly on songs like 'Love Is A Song' (Oscar nominated), 'I Bring You A Song' and 'Little April Shower'. The impressionistic forest glows with a life of its own and is the real star of the film, thanks to the influence of Japanese artist Tyrus Wong. No wonder this was Disney's favorite film. It will stay fresh and young forever. An awesome achievement!

In conclusion, having done some choral work myself as a glee club singer, I especially appreciated the great contribution made by the mixed chorus (male/female) that does such a wonderful job on all of the choruses that blend so seamlessly with the rich background score. Truly exceptional choral vocals conducted by Charles Henderson.