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Justin Tate's Reviews > Bambi: A Life in the Woods
Bambi: A Life in the Woods
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Bambi is one of Disney's darkest films, but it's lighthearted whimsy compared to the original novel which would require trigger warnings nowadays. Thumper is brutally slaughtered as gunshots reverberate throughout the meadow and pools of blood stain the daisies. Death is everywhere--even in the trees. One of the saddest moments occurs when two lone oak leaves ponder the afterlife before tumbling to their demise from bare branches.
It's gritty and heartbreaking, yet also heartlifting. Exceedingly profound. One of the few novels that's lingered with me for nearly a decade. No one describes nature better than Felix Salten, and certainly no other animal-perspective novel can compare. I'm reading Watership Down currently and, though it has many strengths, it's making me nostalgic for this novel--a true masterpiece. Bambi is one of those books, tight and concise, which you can read over and over and always learn something new.
It's gritty and heartbreaking, yet also heartlifting. Exceedingly profound. One of the few novels that's lingered with me for nearly a decade. No one describes nature better than Felix Salten, and certainly no other animal-perspective novel can compare. I'm reading Watership Down currently and, though it has many strengths, it's making me nostalgic for this novel--a true masterpiece. Bambi is one of those books, tight and concise, which you can read over and over and always learn something new.
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Finished Reading
December 25, 2015
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May 17, 2019 09:07AM
This reminded me of Watership Down and Black Beauty too.
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This book traumatized me when I was a child. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone under 25. Beautiful review, though!
This review made me feel sad while made me want to read this book very soon. When I want to feel dark and twisty emotions I’ll definitely do so. Nice review!
My mom wouldn’t let me watch Bambi when I was little. I still haven’t seen it.
@audrey my mom was okay with this one, but not Fantasia for some reason. Of course that only made it my favorite, but Bambi is a close second
Awesome review!💖😉
Audrey wrote: "My mom wouldn’t let me watch Bambi when I was little. I still haven’t seen it."I watched the movie as an adult, and found it much less traumatizing than the book. But of course I have no idea what my child self would have made of the movie, had I seen it then without knowledge of the book story.
Walt Disney's Bambi is much different from the novel, which is darker and violent. Disney artists actually moved Bambi's eyes to a position that made him look more human than animal.
I never knew this about the book. I must read it as one of my classics!
Audrey: best stay away from Bambi vs. Godzilla also.
I remember as a kid being very upset with how the movie started out. Seems like killing off mom seems to be a Disney recurring theme.
Yes but at least it followed the book in this movie since she is also shot in the book the movie is based on.
A very good review Justin. Completely agree
Thumper (the rabbit) does not appear as a character in the book.
Hi Elizabeth, that’s right the rabbit is not given a name, but it’s clear he’s the same rabbit Disney based Thumper on.
On my TBR- maybe not?
Hi Justin, I've read the book in both English and in the original German. Whittaker Chambers did a pretty decent job with the translation, although he did get one or two things wrong.
There is a very minor character in the book, known as "Friend Hare", but he is nothing like the rabbit 'Thumper' in the Disney movie. For one thing, he's not a childhood companion to Bambi. Neither does he die on the meadow. You may be thinking of Faline's brother, Gobo - who was absent from the movie.
That’s amazing you were able to read it in German!! And thank you for cleaning that up. It’s been a while since I read this so I could have mistaken Gobo for the Hare. I think it’s fair to say that the novel at large is a minor resemblance to the Disney film. Both are wonderful in their own way ❤️
I read and loved Bambi in elementary school... Would be interesting to revisit.
Spoiler warning would've been nice given Thumper's fate...
Sorry city slickers, but slaughtering wild animals is environmentally friendly as you have to have a wilderness for wild animals.
You might enjoy the book "One Day At Teton Marsh", where author Sally Carrighar describes life in the region from the point of view of several of the different creatures that inhabit it. It's been a long time since I read it, but I think the 'personal perspectives' include otter, trout, osprey, moose and beaver.
PS: I loved "Watership Down". The animation didn't do it justice, as there was little time for character development. I thoroughly disliked "Shardik" though, by the same author.
Justin your review is outstanding.. the part about the leaves has haunted me for decades, it’s so touching and makes one aware of their own mortality. I agree with John Galsworthy 1928 � every sportsman should read it!�
One of Disney’s darkest films?! Damn that’s not what I’ve heard about it!
