#33 Bambi

February 1, 2021
Bambi (1942) ****
Disney +
Free
Disney animation

So, it’s February, which is Disney month! I am seeing two double features of Disney animation at Secret Movie Club this month, so I thought I would also try to catch up and fill in the gaps on Disney+. I also might be watching other Disney, non-animated or hybrid features, but first, Bambi!

Now, of course I had seen Bambi before, but I didn’t realize until it started that I don’t think I’ve actually seen the whole movie for some decades! It’s not like the princess movies that get released fairly often, because I do love going to see them at the El Capitan, Bambi I don’t think i have seen all of since childhood.

Of course, I have seen scenes. The scene between Bambi, Thumper, and Flower when Bambi learns to say “Bird!” I basically know by heart, for example, and other highlights are firmly in my bones, but I have no memory of just how beautiful the animation is. The forest looks like an oil painting. It’s just stunning.

I’ll tell you what makes this movie a classic, though. It’s not the lovely animation, it’s not the realistic animal movement, it’s not the lovable characters, well, it is sort of the lovable characters. It is Peter Behn. Who is Peter Behn? Why, he is the voice of Young Thumper, and he just utterly brings the whole movie to life. He was six or so when he recorded the voice, he is 86 now, God bless him, and though he is not the star, he is the jolt of adrenaline.

And of course, I sobbed my eyes out when Bambi’s mother gets shot by the hunter, and he is looking for her and calling for her for such a long time. I remembered that so clearly, and I thought it happened very early in the film, but it’s over halfway through. I guess we all remember it happening early because he’s still a fawn, and only after that did he grow up.

It’s so lovely, and funny, and sweet, and heartbreaking. I’m not going to wait such a long time before watching it again.