The Jungle Book : 40th Anniversary 2 Disc Special Edition [1967] [1968] (DVD)

The Jungle Book I have fond memories of this film from my childhood and was delighted to receive a copy for Christmas. It's just how I remember it, beautifully animated, toe tapping music, great characterisations (although this was less of a concern when I was 5!) and a good story to boot. Modern animations, although impressive, seem too polished sometimes and I love in this film how you can see the pen strokes on the screen and get a feel that there was a person behind the artwork. The songs in this film are some of Disney's most famous and rightly so, 'Bare Necessities' 'King of the Swingers', even the 'elephant parade', they really are that good . I tend to find Disney films too saccharine sweet, but The Jungle Book is just the right balance of cuteness and story. Overall a great film from the Disney back catalogue and one not to be missed.

The little fella wasn't happy Bought this for my boy and what can only be described as earth shattering noises expelled from his gob as he opened it. the wife insisted on it but I did tell her it was a girls film. Christmas was officially ruined. Thanks alot Amazon - you let me down. Again! Martin

Back to the jungle Everyone knows the story a man cub is found in the jungle and grows up with a wolf pack as one of their own and embarks on a trip to the man village where he will be safe from the tiger Shear Khan who hates all man-cub and has seen his chance to rid the jungle of one hunter before he becomes a danger. The sequel is being show this Christmas (2007) Mowgli is back and this time with a little friend known as Shanti, she is the little girl from the first film who drops her water jug when she spots Mowgli in the trees near her village. Shanti follows Mowgli back into the jungle but that put her in the danger he was in originally Shear Khan is out for revenge and the unprotected Shanti becomes his new target. As you expect from Disney and one of the best soundtracks on all time both have great toe-tapping tunes and remix of a classic. Baloo The Bear and the others are back and convince Mowgli he must find Shanti and return with her to the village.

Enjoyable exuberance This is certainly not the best of Disney, but the musicality of it makes it very enjoyable, as does the fun factor. It's a sloppier piece of work technically, than most Disney animations before it, which would have been a worry if it hadn't been the huge success that it was. I do disagree with some of the reviews here, and believe there actually IS more magic in the book, but this movie is totally its own creation, and much inspiration went into the great soundtrack, and the personalities of the characters. The voice work IS magnificent, and the dialogue is very funny. Must be the most extrovert of all the Disney animated films, but not the most highly crafted. The focus is on the fun and spirit of the story rather than trying to carefully create another masterpiece, and this suits the story superbly, giving the film the high spirited and fluid feel the project deserved. And it has of course become a classic in its own right.

Overdose of Editions... Is it just me or is anyone else completely baffled by the number of versions or "Editions" of this movie. I want to buy the DVD but I am completely confused about which one to buy. First there is the normal "Jungle Book", then there is "Deluxe Edition"... also a "40th Anniversary Edition" ... and then a "Platinum Edition" although this may be the same as the 40th Anniversary edition. To top it all, I have also come across a "Special Edition". Does anyone have an idea what the difference is between all these versions and which one is the best to buy ? (Please ignore the star rating. I gave it so as not to influence the overall star rating by this query)