This post is about the 1967 film The Jungle Book. It was released on 18th October 1967 and produced by Walt Disney. It is the last film to be produced by Walt Disney as he sadly passed away during the films production. It is based on the book of the same name written by Rudyard Kipling. It is the 19th Disney animated feature-length film.

The film begins in an Indian Jungle with the black panther, Bagheera finding a basket with a man-cub (human baby) inside.

He decides to leave the man-cub with a family of wolves who have just had a litter of cubs. He leaves the basket outside and, after nudging it the man-cub let’s out a cry alerting the wolves that he’s there. The wolves accept the man-cub and raise it with their own cubs.

Ten years later the tiger Shere Khan arrives back in the Jungle and is a threat to the man-cub who is given the name Mowgli. The wolf pack decide that it is too dangerous for Mowgli to stay with them so enlist Bagheera to return Mowgli back to the Man village.

After many adventures with various different characters including Kaa, Baloo and King Louie. Mowgli meets, faces and defeats Shere Khan.

The film ends with Mowgli returning to the Man village and Baloo and Bagheera dancing off into the Jungle.

Bagheera means “black tiger” in Hindi

Although it is Bagheera’s job to protect Mowgli from Shere Khan, the panther and the tiger never actually cross paths

Baloo’s trademark song, “The Bare Necessities,” was the only song kept from the original draft of the film.

Shere Khan’s name means “Tiger King” in Persian and Hindi.

I will rate the film into five categories, lighting, sound, sadness, scariness and Autism friendly. I will also give an overall score.

Lighting and sound categories are in reference to light and sound sensitivity.  As a person with Autism I have both but it is possible to have one or the other and still be a person with Autism

Lighting: 1/10

Sound: 1/10

Sadness: 2/10

Scariness: 1/10

Autism friendly: Yes

Overall Score: 6/40

My opinion of this film is that its a lovely lighthearted children’s film, but there are scenes which are now seen as not politically correct namely the scenes with King Louie singing and dancing through the song I Just Want To Be Like You. The problem with the scene is the character being a racist caricature of African-Americans through his poor speaking ability, lazy and singing in a Dixieland jazz style. However it was intended children don’t see that, just characters and the music. Unlike most of the Disney classics I’ve never seen this film as a child so don’t have the attachments to the film.