Bambi

Walt Disney Bambi Movie Poster

(This is part of my journey through Disney Animation. For more thoughts on other films, check out my series!)

Bambi is a beautiful film, full of awe-inspiring nature, loveable characters, and a touching story. This didn't come without a lot of work, however. Though originally slated to come after Snow White,

...and their first to be based on a specific, recent work...The artists also discovered that it was challenging to animate deer realistically, and at the same time keep the characters slightly exaggerated and "cartoony". These difficulties resulted in Disney putting production on hold while the studio worked on several other projects. In 1938, Disney assigned Perce Pearce and Carl Fallberg to work on the film's storyboards, but attention was soon drawn away as the studio began working on Fantasia (1940). [1]

In order to help the animators with their realistic drawings,

A small zoo was also established at the studio so animators could study other animals, like rabbits, ducks, owls, and skunks, at close range. [2]

However, they didn't stop merely at getting realistic reference. They even pushed the technology by creating a new MultiPlane camera, allowing for realistic backgrounds and paintings, helping audiences immerse themselves in the story even more. And I think it worked! Check out this video below to see Walt Disney show the abilities of the camera:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdHTlUGN1zw

Yet, all of this effort would go to waste if not for a strong story, which Disney provides. We can break the story of Bambi the young prince of the forest into three segments, categorizing his coming of age story:

Part 1: The Beginning and End of Childhood

Bambi as a Fawn

We begin the film with Bambi's birth and his adventures as a fawn. We see him learn to walk, make friends with Thumper and Flower, and thoroughly enjoy discovering the world. It's an idyllic childhood that touches on much we as human's experience as children, allowing us to relate to this lovable deer. But as with all of us, childhood must end, and Bambi unfortunately loses his at the hands of hunters when they kill his mother. There's no more frolicking, just a sad winter alone.

Part 2: The Fresh Start of Spring

Bambi Faline Twitterpated

Bambi emerges in spring as a young buck, his body maturing to catch up with the maturity already forced upon him by the loss of his mother. Once again, Bambi's experience reflects that of a human's, this time in the stage of a teenager. Most obviously, we see his interest in and pursuit of a girl, as he and his friends become "twitterpated." And Bambi not only likes Faline, but even fights for her, fending off another would-be pursuer.

Most importantly however, is not his maturity in romance, but his shouldering of responsibility and care for those he loves as man brings fire to his forest home. He must save Faline from hunting dogs and push through his own pain after being shot to run to safety. Now there is no uncertainty, even his childhood home is taken away from him and he must accept that life is forcing him to grow up.

Part 3: Full Circle - Bambi is King

Bambi and his Father

We end the film where we began. Bambi has now reached adulthood and is rewarded with a family of his own, the last scene showing Bambi standing with his father in their place of royalty. While at times mysterious, his father has guided Bambi at each stage, present after the time of his mother's death, as well as pushing Bambi along through the fire. He has ensured Bambi would survive, and at the end we see him walking down the hill, leaving Bambi alone to survey the forest. Whether or not this is a symbol of the passing of the crown to Bambi as king of the forest, it is clear that his father is acknowledging his adulthood, leaving him to care for his own family.


Notes:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambi
2. Ibid.