Last time I saw this I think I was in first or second grade. When we got the Disney version for my daughter, I was thinking, "this is a great movie." That was before I realized that I had never seen the Disney version (which completely lacks a story). If you're two years old the Disney version is great; otherwise watch this one. This version is basically the original story, kind of dark and the animation matches the mood of the story. I especially like how this version handles the progression of Mowgli from "man cub" to man, and his mastery of the "red flower." It's still a kid's movie, but like other stuff by Chuck Jones it appeals to all ages. Check out this movie. Chuck Jones is the man. watch it!
8 Reviews
No one makes 'em like Disney
gizmomogwai14 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
You can point to Mowgli's Brothers (1976) and say what's oft been said: No one animates 'em, writes music, or entertains a general audience, better than Disney. Mowgli's Brothers is an animated short coming only nine years after Walt Disney's last film, The Jungle Book (1967), came out to wild acclaim. I've now seen it on the Diamond Edition Blu- ray, and it looks spectacular. This short is produced by another cartoon legend, Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes, How the Grinch Stole Christmas), but the quality of the animation pales in comparison. Looking at The Grinch, you know Jones can do better than this.
The story and writing are the key strength of Mowgli's Brothers, and some will say it's here where Jones succeeded in following Rudyard Kipling more closely (indeed, I recognized some of the dialogue from Kipling's writings, including the mother wolf taking much delight in baby Mowgli's nudity for whatever reason). This is poetic, and the politics of the wolf pack more complex. It's also more interesting to see the wolves in a more cynical light (unlike the cute doggies from Disney's version), and good to see Mowgli put them in their place at the end. But say what you like about Disney's changes, the stories are basically the same, and the different, easygoing tone in the 1967 film's writing has its own charm.
The story and writing are the key strength of Mowgli's Brothers, and some will say it's here where Jones succeeded in following Rudyard Kipling more closely (indeed, I recognized some of the dialogue from Kipling's writings, including the mother wolf taking much delight in baby Mowgli's nudity for whatever reason). This is poetic, and the politics of the wolf pack more complex. It's also more interesting to see the wolves in a more cynical light (unlike the cute doggies from Disney's version), and good to see Mowgli put them in their place at the end. But say what you like about Disney's changes, the stories are basically the same, and the different, easygoing tone in the 1967 film's writing has its own charm.
Chuck Jones' Jungle Book
Horst_In_Translation22 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Mowgli's Brothers" is an American short film from 40 years ago and the third and final entry to Chuck Jones Rudyard Kipling trilogy. And he goes out on a high note. It is almost impossible to include the complex Jungle Book story in under 24 minutes, but Jones' approach is probably as good as it gets. Mowgli leaving everybody to live with men in the end comes a bit out of nowhere perhaps, but I have seen that storyline elaborated disappointingly on also in 100-minute movies. A difficult subject. Anyway, all before that worked pretty nicely. The animation is good and Jones' talent had gone nowhere even if the Golden Age of Animation was long over. He also got help once more from his longtime collaborator, voice actress June Foray, who is still alive today at almost 100. The characters are interesting, but also here some major characters are missing or lack screen time, most of all Kaa for example. The only thing I did not like was that Mowgli was voiced by Roddy McDowall here. He is fine as the narrator, but I have no idea why they let a grown man voice a little boy here. Yep, Mowgli does not grow up in this one and that's a major difference for example compared to the Soviet version of the tale. As a whole, this is an enjoyable watch and I recommend it.
THE Best Mowgli adaptation
phillise11 May 2011
THIS is the the best adaptation of Mowglie's Brothers. It follows the original almost exactly, with two added scenes of Mowgli dressing up in sheets to scar Tabaqui, and dropping a melon on Shere Khan.
this got me to read all of the Jungle Book stories as a young child. As far as Shere Khan being white, I always thought he was supposed to be, and looked for some reference to that in the books. In "Tiger! Tiger!" the villagers DO think SHere Khan is a ghost, but it's because of his lameness, the same as "wicked old money lender, who passed away some years ago." If he were white it would have only increased their superstitions, but what I think happened was this: Chuck Jones considered doing more adaptations of Kipling; and since it wouldn't animate well to show a limping tiger, he decided on another reason the villagers believed he was a ghost--namely making him white. Unfortunately, "Tiger! Tiger!" never got made.
this got me to read all of the Jungle Book stories as a young child. As far as Shere Khan being white, I always thought he was supposed to be, and looked for some reference to that in the books. In "Tiger! Tiger!" the villagers DO think SHere Khan is a ghost, but it's because of his lameness, the same as "wicked old money lender, who passed away some years ago." If he were white it would have only increased their superstitions, but what I think happened was this: Chuck Jones considered doing more adaptations of Kipling; and since it wouldn't animate well to show a limping tiger, he decided on another reason the villagers believed he was a ghost--namely making him white. Unfortunately, "Tiger! Tiger!" never got made.
Chuck Jones' take on Mowgli
ja_kitty_7126 April 2008
Legendary animator Chuck Jones has brought another Jungle Book story to life after Rikki-Tikki Tavi and The White Seal, with excellent animation and story telling by Roddy McDowall and Dean Elliott's musical score. You know, the only adaptation of the "Mowgli" stories I knew about was the Disney version, but I love both! Including the version from Russia. But unlike Disney's version, Jones adhered to the original story, although Shere Khan becomes a white tiger and there is no reference to his lameness. Of course, I did not know the tiger was lame in the original stories. And we also got to see his spineless slave/henchman, the jackal Tabaqui, animated by an animator from the Warner Bros. Years, Ben Washam (who had worked with Jones), who didn't appear in the Disney version. I love how he made his appearance in the picture. What a grin.
I love the little wolf babies; they're so cute! I also love that bit of animation that was put into the scene when Rashka (Mother Wolf) tells Shere Khan to leave Mowgli alone.
I love the little wolf babies; they're so cute! I also love that bit of animation that was put into the scene when Rashka (Mother Wolf) tells Shere Khan to leave Mowgli alone.
Interestingly close to Disney's original.
Stebaer45 November 2005
Interesting not only to see how uncanny the Mowgli & Shere Kahn are to the ones in Disney's original adaptation of The Jungle Book but even how Shere Kahn was seen but took a back seat.The wolves look nothing like the ones in Disney's Jungle book & have an even bigger spotlight in this feature as well as that we actually get to see Mowgli grow to manhood & prepare to leave wolfdom behind.Roddy McDowall's voice doing the narration is very impressive as he is in any acting he's done in movie's & TV show's too. But all in all any time when I think of this I recall the 2 nights on which I'd seen it as a Middle School kid.
Truthfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste"of Framingham,MA.USA
Truthfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste"of Framingham,MA.USA
The Most Faithful Retelling of Mowgli's Story Today
elicopperman17 August 2021
Rudyard Kipling's famous story The Jungle Book is often associated with the much more popular Disney adaptation, but many fans of his work will agree that it is far from a faithful tribute to the man's work. That being said, all the way back in 1976, acclaimed animation director Chuck Jones took it upon himself to produce three televised adaptations of Kipling stories at his own studio, one of which being the first chronological story of the wolf raised man cub Mowgli. While it did fall under obscurity after its original CBS broadcast, it has remained possibly the most faithful animated adaptation of anything from The Jungle Book to date.
The film essentially tells the story of a little human boy named Mowgli who is raised by wolves, but must grow up fast in order to defend himself and the wolf pack from the lame white tiger Shere Kahn. In addition to the special pretty much translating the whole Kipling story into a half hour special, the whole thing is narrated by Roddy McDowal as if you're being read to while viewing it. While it might seem distracting at first, it allows for a storybook aesthetic to creep its way through the film, especially when what we're watching depends on specified action. Given Chuck Jones's determination to bring the harsh seriousness most commonplace in Kipling's work, the special does not hold back in showing the cold realities of having to grow up within a different species, therefore maturing quicker than expected. Perhaps the special's unapologetic dark honesty is why it isn't as remembered as other Kipling adaptations that tried to lighten the mood up, yet because of how bleak and well-intent the message is throughout the special, it can speak to anyone fearing the future of growing up differently from others.
Even beyond the serious content, the art direction is nothing short of brilliant. The backgrounds and environments feel like graphic illustrations in a retro children's book brought to life, with sharp colors and bold albeit abstract compositions all throughout the staging. In some ways, the more vibrant minimal setting makes the jungle stick out like a jungle due to the general attributes we associate jungles to look like. As for the characters, they look like Jones's more cartoonish and grotesque style of the time, but they come with a lot of very expressive poses and acting, all of which are in account of the brilliant animators and layouts from Jones himself. Some characters do have more dynamic expressions than others depending on their role, such as the more slow yet humble bear Baloo being around the much more stoic and intelligent panther Bagheera, or the sophisticatedly manic jackal Tabaqui serving the much more intimidating tiger Shere Kahn. Even Mowgli himself can show signs of being a happy little boy in contrast to his more fierce fighting gestures.
With all of these strong qualities intact, the love and passion embroidered all over Mowgli's Brothers just screams faithfully strong. It may not appeal to the broadest audiences outside of those unfamiliar with Kipling's original work or the Disney adaptation, but for those who love the works of Chuck Jones or any literature enthusiasts, this should be right up your alley. It is a shame that such a magnificently crafted retelling of a classic story has been largely forgotten today, so it's only a matter of time until it gets newly found appreciation for its well aged brilliance. Only time will tell.
The film essentially tells the story of a little human boy named Mowgli who is raised by wolves, but must grow up fast in order to defend himself and the wolf pack from the lame white tiger Shere Kahn. In addition to the special pretty much translating the whole Kipling story into a half hour special, the whole thing is narrated by Roddy McDowal as if you're being read to while viewing it. While it might seem distracting at first, it allows for a storybook aesthetic to creep its way through the film, especially when what we're watching depends on specified action. Given Chuck Jones's determination to bring the harsh seriousness most commonplace in Kipling's work, the special does not hold back in showing the cold realities of having to grow up within a different species, therefore maturing quicker than expected. Perhaps the special's unapologetic dark honesty is why it isn't as remembered as other Kipling adaptations that tried to lighten the mood up, yet because of how bleak and well-intent the message is throughout the special, it can speak to anyone fearing the future of growing up differently from others.
Even beyond the serious content, the art direction is nothing short of brilliant. The backgrounds and environments feel like graphic illustrations in a retro children's book brought to life, with sharp colors and bold albeit abstract compositions all throughout the staging. In some ways, the more vibrant minimal setting makes the jungle stick out like a jungle due to the general attributes we associate jungles to look like. As for the characters, they look like Jones's more cartoonish and grotesque style of the time, but they come with a lot of very expressive poses and acting, all of which are in account of the brilliant animators and layouts from Jones himself. Some characters do have more dynamic expressions than others depending on their role, such as the more slow yet humble bear Baloo being around the much more stoic and intelligent panther Bagheera, or the sophisticatedly manic jackal Tabaqui serving the much more intimidating tiger Shere Kahn. Even Mowgli himself can show signs of being a happy little boy in contrast to his more fierce fighting gestures.
With all of these strong qualities intact, the love and passion embroidered all over Mowgli's Brothers just screams faithfully strong. It may not appeal to the broadest audiences outside of those unfamiliar with Kipling's original work or the Disney adaptation, but for those who love the works of Chuck Jones or any literature enthusiasts, this should be right up your alley. It is a shame that such a magnificently crafted retelling of a classic story has been largely forgotten today, so it's only a matter of time until it gets newly found appreciation for its well aged brilliance. Only time will tell.
See where Disney got it wrong
lee1053811 February 2001
Kipling purists might quibble over the fact that Shere Khan becomes a white tiger and regains the use of his bad leg, or the fact that some of the animal characters look as if they belong in one of Jones's Road Runner cartoons. On the other hand, this is the only adaptation from the Mowgli stories that actually sticks closely to Kipling's original plot and dialogue. So if you want to see where Disney got it wrong, this 25-minute film is definitely worth checking out.
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