… He Is Known As the Great Prince of the Forest

Mister Walt Disney sure gave us the 1-2 punch with the motherly tragedy when he released Bambi in 1942. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful of the animated films, Walt Disney set out for a more realistic look than the previous films that had been animated by the studio. Animators were instructed to study the anatomy of real animal and the hard work paid off. Animator Eric Larson is quoted as saying the previous attempts at deer in Snow White were more “like big flour sacks” than actual animals. It’s pretty amazing that you can actually see the back muscles moving when the deer walk around the forest. A forest made all the more lush thanks to the eye and hand of animator Tyrus Wong. The visuals of this film are true masterpieces of the medium.

Not only is this Disney’s first attempt at realism in a feature film, but this is really the first coming of age tale they tried to tell. There is more emphasis on the daily life of Bambi than there is on a clear cut narrative. The villain in the story is only identified as Man, and he is never seen. The death of Bambi’s mother is one of the most iconic parts of the film, and surely traumatized a fair share of children around the world, but it hurts mre because Bambi and his mother have such a wonderful relationship. The fawn cares for his mother so deeply that you want to believe that she’s right behind Bambi in the safety of the thicket. I don’t think I’m alone in hoping that she makes it every time I watch the film.

Not to be overshadowed by the tragic death of the mother, the movie is just chock-full of super intense moments. From the battle Bambi has with a competing Deer over the hand (hoof?) of Feline, to the forest fire and dog fight in the climax, there is almost no time to breathe in the second half of the film. My favorite moment in the film is actually one of the more frightening scenes, involving a quail and her fear of the approaching hunter. Against the advice of her friends to stay hidden in the brush, she succumbs to her fear induced madness and flies away only to get shot down has she tries to flee. And no punches are pulled here; you actually see her body fall and hit the ground.

Luckily there are plenty of light moments with cute animals frolicking around the meadow, skating an iced over pond, and finding the sensation of Twitterpation and romance. But best of all there’s Thumper. I love Thumper. He is so adorable and has so much personality. He is great when he’s getting scolded by his mother by reciting the wisdom of his unseen father.

I’m glad this film gets the respect it deserves, as it can be easily forgotten in the pantheon of fantasy and princesses normally associated with Disney. The Great Prince of the Forest is a crowning achievement for Walt Disney and his studio.