Bambi (1942)

91% of critics liked it
(45 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(531,849 ratings)

The classic Felix Salter story Bambi provides the basis for this near-perfect Disney animated feature. We follow the male deer Bambi from birth, through his early childhood experiences with woodland pals Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk, the traumatic sudden death of Bambi's mother at the… More The classic Felix Salter story Bambi provides the basis for this near-perfect Disney animated feature. We follow the male deer Bambi from birth, through his early childhood experiences with woodland pals Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk, the traumatic sudden death of Bambi's mother at the hands of hunters, his courtship of the lovely doe Faline, and his rescue of his friends during a raging forest fire; we last see the mature, antlered Bambi assuming his proper place as the Prince of the Forest. In the grand Disney tradition, Bambi is brimming with unforgettable sequences, notably the young deer's attempts to negotiate an iced-over pond, and most especially the death of Bambi's mother--and if this moment doesn't move you to tears, you're made of stone (many subsequent Disney films, including Lion King, have tried, most in vain, to match the horror and pathos of this one scene). The score in Bambi yielded no hits along the lines of "Whistle While You Work", but the songs are adroitly integrated into the action. Bambi was the last of the "classic" early Disney features before the studio went into a decade-long doldrums of disjointed animated pastiches like Make Mine Music. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: David Hand
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Aug 21, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Mar 1, 2005
Studio: RKO Radio Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This animated feature based on Felix Salten's book about the coming of age of a fawn and his various forest friends (including the beloved Thumper) does convey some of the primal emotional power of Disney's features during this period.
, TIME Magazine
For the first time, Disney has done his backgrounds in oils instead of watercolors. The result is striking.
Variety Staff, Variety
The glow and texture of the Disney brush reach new heights, especially in the treatment of a summer thunderstorm and a raging snowstorm.
Theodore Strauss, New York Times
In colors that would surprise even the spectrum itself, Disney's cartoon craftsmen have re-created a woodland that shimmers and glows and darkens altogether magically.
Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm
It's not just Bambi's mother - I'll pause while you wipe that tear - but the film's revelation that idylls don't really exist.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
The story, while classic in nature, is a bit thin, but Bambi is a breathtaking, jaw-dropping showcase of the ingenuity and genius of Disney animators.
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Arguably Disney's greatest masterpiece, this sophisticated animation is one that continues to delight audiences of all ages
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
It would be easy to be cynical about Bambi, the Walt Disney-produced film that launched a thousand anthropomorphic animal movies. But its pre-ironic simplicity has, in many ways, only improved with age. [Blu-ray]
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Even Daryl Hall would have to admit this is one of the finest animated features committed to film, produced and packaged during Walt Disney's ballsiest years of control.
Glenn Heath Jr., Slant Magazine
Bambi remains a timeless visual feast of innocence gained and lost, and despite a lowly supplemental package, Disney's new Diamond Edition is worth watching just for the majestic imagery.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
the animated film as pastoral poem, as beautiful a depiction of the natural world as one could imagine
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Animation that couldn't seem more real, even if it were made today with motion-capture dots plastered all over a baby deer.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Vies only with Pinocchio as the most technically accomplished work of animation to come from the studio's Golden Age... the last gasp of a maturity and gravity that would immediately disappear from Disney's features.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
One of the most timeless and universal coming-of-age films ever, Bambi ranks with the very greatest of Disney's classic masterpieces.
, Film4
A beautifully realised milestone in children's animation that balances outright sentiment with gentle wit, and negotiates its darker moments with skill.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Film Threat
Still a fantastic fable with some excellent animation and a great story
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In 1942, the emotional scene in which Bambi's mother is killed by hunters was controversial: Some critics charged that it traumatized young children while defenders claimed that it was honest, realistic, and less graphic than its depiction in the book.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Christopher H

A very touching and emotionally fulfilling coming-of-age story. The animation is beautiful and the music sequences are simply classic. Their are some dark moments as well, especially Bambi's mother getting killed, but I think kids can handle dark moments as long as the film has… More
A very touching and emotionally fulfilling coming-of-age story. The animation is beautiful and the music sequences are simply classic. Their are some dark moments as well, especially Bambi's mother getting killed, but I think kids can handle dark moments as long as the film has a happy ending. The voice talents are great, their isn't moment were a voice felt out-of-place. A perfect display of what Classic Disney was all about, making animated movies that are visually beautiful and telling endearing stories.
Jeff "

Bambi is definitely an animated classic that is at times pretty disturbing. Well, that scene when the hunters killed Bambi's mom was, at least. This is a must see for fans of Disney, and I remember loving this as a kid, but with time, the power of the film has slightly waned on… More
Bambi is definitely an animated classic that is at times pretty disturbing. Well, that scene when the hunters killed Bambi's mom was, at least. This is a must see for fans of Disney, and I remember loving this as a kid, but with time, the power of the film has slightly waned on me, and it's not the same film as I remember it being. For what it is, this is a very good film, and is a must see family film. The film is definitely one of Disney's most memorable films simply for the fact that Bambi's mom died, and it was deemed the saddest moment in film history or something like that. The film is sad, depressing at times, but it really is fun, entertaining and funny too. There are plenty of memorable characters that make this film special. Yes, it's traumatic, but there are more good moments in this film than bad. This film legacy, whatever your thoughts on this film may be, is secured. This is a solid piece of animation and is one of the finest films that Disney has made. The story is great, the voice talents are good as well, and the finished product is a memorable and classic animated film that has stood the test of time. This is a beautifully drawn film that despite the fact that it's depressing at times, like I stated before, there's lots of more than bad, and Bambi remains an animated classic. A must see film. A truly wonderful, and unique cinematic experience.
Brad W

Maybe a little to serious, but without a doubt a classic. Disney is rare to ever disappoint me and here they keep their record for amazing movies. If you dont love Bambi, you dont love Disney.
Keiko A

One of my favorite childhood movies easy and it still holds up amazingly today as it did in 1942. Bambi does truly proves to be near perfect in everyway and i have still yet to get sick of it. I loved the voice acting and animation (So of the best) Disney is awesome and still… More
One of my favorite childhood movies easy and it still holds up amazingly today as it did in 1942. Bambi does truly proves to be near perfect in everyway and i have still yet to get sick of it. I loved the voice acting and animation (So of the best) Disney is awesome and still great today then i was when i was young! Movie over VHS and Laserdisk and hallo Blue Ray!
Alexander D

Great
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic! Has you crying everytime!
Drake T

I can't believe how incoherent the story of this movie was. None of the characters actually hold important roles in progressing the plot, conflict occurs simply when the director calls for it and when all is said and done you're left wondering, what the hell was I suppose to… More
I can't believe how incoherent the story of this movie was. None of the characters actually hold important roles in progressing the plot, conflict occurs simply when the director calls for it and when all is said and done you're left wondering, what the hell was I suppose to take from this movie? "Man" is evil? Your parents can die? Run away from your problems and everything will be okay? What was the point of Flower and Thumper other than "cute" background noise? Who cares about the High Prince? Man, the bar sure was set low in 1942. I'd say watch it for the animation but honestly? It's not that impressive by this day and age. If you want a Disney classic worthy of the title grab Lion King or Aladdin.
Jennifer X

I can't do it. I can't make myself like these cute animal movies.
Thomas B

One of the most perfect animations ever created. Full review later.
Flutie A

Very simplistic, but laid a great foundation for future Disney movies. Went by surprisingly fast at only 1hr16min. I could tell the amount of effort that went into making the animals look and act like their counterparts in real life. A worthy addition to the Disney Blu-ray… More
Very simplistic, but laid a great foundation for future Disney movies. Went by surprisingly fast at only 1hr16min. I could tell the amount of effort that went into making the animals look and act like their counterparts in real life. A worthy addition to the Disney Blu-ray collection. Bring on Lion King & Aladdin already!
Michael E

a fantastic and surprisingly dark disney film with great characters a heartwarming story and of course great animation
AJ V

A Disney classic, I saw it as a kid, it's really emotional. If you like Disney, this is an essential film.
Bently L

So sweet, funny, and cute. A flat-out classic! "Bir-duh."
Richard C

C
Conner R

A really great story. It's one of those disney movies that always stood out to me because of how incredibly deep and moving it became. It knows how to make you laugh and cry as well .There are times when it is truly haunting as well. I love the symbolic nature of the characters… More
A really great story. It's one of those disney movies that always stood out to me because of how incredibly deep and moving it became. It knows how to make you laugh and cry as well .There are times when it is truly haunting as well. I love the symbolic nature of the characters and the relationships. I would say that this is more of a rewarding story than anything disney has put out after. No cartoon has been able to stay with me the way this has.
erika b

very sweet
Film C

how can you not like Bambi!! i cry everytime , and thumper has to be one of my favourite disney characters ever! this is a true disney classic thats really enjoyble not to sure it should be a childrens cartoon movie because its so sad right at the beginingg of the movie!! so worth… More
how can you not like Bambi!! i cry everytime , and thumper has to be one of my favourite disney characters ever! this is a true disney classic thats really enjoyble not to sure it should be a childrens cartoon movie because its so sad right at the beginingg of the movie!! so worth tthe watch though!!
Jeremy S

One of the saddest moments in Disney movie history is when Bambi's mother dies. Not only that but the nameless responsible hunter was voted one of the greatest villians of all time, by the AFI. Truly a Disney Classic.
KJ P

Amazing! What a wonderful story!
Jennifer D

A classic.