Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994)

95% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(36,572 ratings)

Twenty-seven years after turning one of Rudyard Kipling's best known works into a successful animated musical, Disney returned to the same source material for this live-action adventure, which hews slightly closer to the original source material. Mowgli (Sean Naeleli) is the five-year-old son of a… More Twenty-seven years after turning one of Rudyard Kipling's best known works into a successful animated musical, Disney returned to the same source material for this live-action adventure, which hews slightly closer to the original source material. Mowgli (Sean Naeleli) is the five-year-old son of a wilderness guide who accompanies his father on a hunting expedition in the jungles of their native India. Mowgli becomes close friends with a British girl named Kitty (Joanna Wolff), whose parents commissioned the hunt, but when a tiger attacks their camp and kills Mowgli's father, the boy is lost in the confusion, and he's left to fend for himself. Mowgli is befriended by the animals of the jungle -- Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and Grey Brother the wolf -- and they develop an unspoken sense of communication as the growing boy learns to live in the wilds. Years later, after growing to adulthood, Mowgli (now played by Jason Scott Lee) once again encounters Kitty (now played by Lena Headey), who is visiting India with her father, Col. Brydon (Sam Neill), a British officer stationed nearby, and her stuffy fiancée Capt. William Boone (Cary Elwes). Kitty and Mowgli recognize each other, and while his powers of speech are rusty, with the help of Dr. Plumford (John Cleese), Kitty and her father are able to return Mowgli to civilization. However, after spending most of his life in the jungle, Mowgli does not feel at home among other people, and while he deeply loves Kitty, he concedes to his rival for her affections. However, Boone and several of his men kidnap Mowgli when they learn that he has discovered a vast treasure in the jungle, and they try to force him to reveal its secrets while fending off the dangers of the jungle which Mowgli understands, but Boone and his men do not. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Dec 23, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jan 15, 2002

Critic Reviews

Fred Topel, About.com
Excellent live-action adaptation. Thrilling adventure with classic heroes and villains.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

A great Remake but not as much great as the Original one.
Conner R

It was actually a very fun adaption of the classic and quite memorable. It has a lot of beautiful looking sets and a lot of great sequences to match it. The acting was good and Stephen Sommers' style was a great addition to the film.
Dan S

An okay adaption of a Disney classic. It's sometimes thrilling, other times dull, but the acting for the most part is good. Cary Elwes is especially memorable as the snarling villain.
Anthony L

Not bad, no songs in it though! ;o)
Dean M

Terrifc family adventure about a boy, Mowgli, a pure-hearted hero of the jungle who raised by animals. Both parents and their children should enjoy this lavish, smartly paced film.
danny d

fun live action version of great animated movie
Yinalí R

Classic
Jim W

If you haven't seen this charming and fun live-action version, you really should! The cast is great and Jason Scott Lee is at his best.
Sunil J

Kind of a nice adaptation of a semi-interesting book.
Constanza B

Engaging, old-fashioned adaptation that captures the rousing since of adventure of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale. Elaborate production and effects, an ideal cast, and a wonderfully adventurous feel throughout make this a thrilling ride from beginning to end.
Haley A

A great adventure, and it stays true to the story and to the Disney animation.
Sarah B

Fantastical and beautiful. Stunningly realised and directed. Well acted and a very involving and faithful adaptation of the book.