Review of The Jungle Book (1967) by Blais E — 24 Apr 2011

The best Disney animated feature ever--I was six when it hit the theatres, & I saw it over & over. Featuring a superior voice cast (It was the first film where Disney actually employed big names of the time to provide the voice talent-) & wonderfully 3-dimensional, involving characters.

Mowgli, an orphaned boy raised by wolves (Bruce Reitherman, the director's son-) must return to the nearest human settlement to escape the jaws of the vengeful, suavely-vicious, man-hating tiger Shere Khan, all the while encountering the wild and woolly denizens of the lush Indian jungle.

A stunningly beautiful film visually, with an engaging storyline, unforgettable set-pieces, and stupendous music and songs. The characters are vivid and memorable, especially Bagheera, the wise and knowing black panther (Sebastian Cabot), Kaa the hungry Python (Sterling Holloway), King Louie the zany Orangutan (Louis Prima), Baloo the "Jungle-Bum" Bear (Phil Harris), Colonel Hathi, (J.

Pat O'Malley), the blustery-&-blubbery elepant, the Vulture "Barbershop-Quartet", and the aforementioned villainous Shere Khan (The superb George Sanders). A true classic, not to be missed, far superior to the over-rated "Kimba the White Lion" ripoff, "The Lion King".