Bambi

By: The Dweeb

March 2005

DVD Features Video: 1.33:1 Audio:Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Mono Sneak Peek Of The All-New Movie BAMBI AND THE GREAT PRINCE Forest Adventure Game: 8 All-New Games Geared For All Ages Including Trivia, A Musical Memory Challenge, An Acorn Catch, And More DisneyPedia: Bambi’s Forest Friends Disney’s Storytime: “Thumper Goes Exploring” BAMBI: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes Disney Time Capsule: 1942 The Year Of BAMBI The Making of Bambi: A Prince Is Born Theatrical release: 9/13/1942 DVD released on 3/01/2005 by Disney/ Buena Vista Running time of 70  minutes Director: David Hand Plot: Bambi’s story unfolds from season to season as the young prince of the forest learns valuable lessons about friendship, love, and the miracle of life.

Following previous raids into the hallowed grounds of the Disney vault, the folks in Buena Vista now have given the platinum edition treatment to another classic, Bambi. Just like Alice In Wonderland, Snow White And The Seven Dwarves, Fantasia and others, this newly restored version is a keeper. Boasting a cleaned up print, the color and remixed sound are a treat, and only fitting for one of Walt Disney’s finest animated features. Many consider this one of the Magic Kingdom’s crown jewels, and I would have to agree.

It’s a short and simple animated feature, despite the heavy sugarcoating its very dark in tone for a childrens picture. Under the auspices of cute talking forest animals, adult themes lie just beneath the surface. Who hasn’t been traumatized by the death of Bambi’s mother? Or the burning of the forest? Many a five year old has left the theatre with tears since it’s debut. But then again who said living in nature was easy? The film certainly reflects that. I don’t think something like this could be made today with a G rating anymore would it? It was a different world then.

Aside from the dark moments, Bambi is still a treat to watch. The hand drawn animation is still vastly superior to many of the more recent animated fare. Scenes can get very complex, almost realistic looking with the multiple tracking shots of the backgrounds and so on. If anything is to be said about Bambi, it is pleasing to the eye.

Now as you would expect with the Platinum series, the extras included are extensive and piled on thick in this 2 disc set. Patrick Stewart is your virtual tour guide of this DVD, for reasons that eluded me until they mention the sequel to Bambi (Oh great, please don’t tarnish the original!) On the first disc that contains the movie there is a feature where actors read from Walt’s script notes, kind of like a radio play. The second disc is the one packed with features. There are extensive documentaries and interviews and a short history lesson in 1942 wartime America. I was most interested in how they painstakingly restored the film, frame by frame. And if you get bored sifting through all this stuff you can play some games also. Overall, Disney did an excellent job with this DVD package, and it should be a part of your collection.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!