D52–Bambi

Like Dumbo, Bambi is a fairly simple story. It too follows the life of a young animal from birth, through being ripped from his mother unjustly and much too young, up to his coming of age and earning the respect of those around him. And, like Dumbo, the succes of the story rests largely on its ability to convey the emotion of its protagonist and engender those same emotions in the viewer.

In this regard, it is extremely successful. One can hardly mention the name Bambi without being immediately regaled with the tale of how the mother’s death affected the listener. Visually, the film is also a success. The characters are slightly more realistic than Dumbo but still retain a cartoony-ness. The background, though, are the highlight, rendered in beautiful watercolor. Due to its difficultly, only two Disney films were produced with this method, the second not coming until 2002’s Lilo and Stitch.

As with many of the early Disney classics, Bambi will likely be too intense for the youngest viewers, but it is a good introduction to concepts of life and death for the young, and is easily enjoyable for older audiences.

Bambi’s original 1942 trailer

Next: Saludos Amigos (1942)