Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994)

Disney scrapped the songs and talking animals for its second version of Rudyard Kipling's classic novel, an old-fashioned boy's adventure that more resembles the classic Korda brothers' lush original than Disney's own animated musical. In this live-action version, Jason Scott Lee (the hunky star of Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story) is the grown Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves and taught the ways of the jungle by Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. Fascinated by Englishwoman Lena Heady, whom he spots marching through the jungle on a safari, he follows her to the city. She teaches him the ways of polite society while a greedy British soldier (a sneering Cary Elwes) plots to discover the fabled lost city, where a fabulous fortune awaits. At this point the film becomes more Tarzan than Kipling. Lee's rippling form, back in the freedom of a loin cloth, is on display running through the jungle, swinging on vines, and going mano a mano with snooty Englisher Elwes. His charm and sex appeal has made this film a favorite of many adult women, but it is a family adventure, after all, with colorful locations, grand sets, and plenty of fun-loving animal moments. Sam Neill is his usual figure of moral strength as Heady's explorer father, and John Cleese imparts a little deadpan humor as the safari's absent-minded professor. Director Stephen Sommers went on to direct the 1999 action fantasy hit The Mummy. Ages 6 and up. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

A Live Jungle Book

I haven't read the book, so I don't know how accurate the film is, but I enjoyed this version of "The Jungle Book". It's all about a grown up Mowgli's struggle to fit in with British colonial society, after he is lured out (more or less) by Kitty, a girl he knew as a child before he was lost to the jungle, a girl who just happens to be the local Colonel's daughter. Her boyfriend, a British soldier called William, doesn't like Mowgli at all, but he is however terribly fascinated by the golden dagger Mowgli found in the jungle...

It's worth a look. Sam Neill and John Cleese are both in the film, and I enjoyed their performances, I usually do when they're in films. Jason Scott Lee as Mowgli wasn't too bad either, though I haven't really seen him in much else. The Indian location was a great idea, and added a unique flavor to the story. The one thing that bugged me about the film was the animals. I guess I didn't feel a really chemistry between Jason Scott Lee and the animals, which would have been nice, as that's what Mowgli is all about. But maybe that's just me. There is a sequel to this live action film which is about Mowgli's childhood, maybe that fleshes things out a little. I'll have to check it out... June 30, 2008

Gorgeous!

It was lush and vivid and showed the true spirit of the book. Now why is it so bloody expensive...? June 6, 2008

Carey Elwes rocks in this film!

This film is extremely good, and aside from the accolades already rendered, is a great glimpse into the British Empire of Queen Victoria's time as well. Carey Elwes has never been more perfectly cast, before or since, as the ruthless and conniving Capt. Boone, intent on seizing all he can get from his posting to British-occupied India. With regards to grooming and costuming of the actors and actresses, special attention was obviously paid to getting the look right for that period... whoever cast the individuals for their roles deserves an award! And the bumbling Leftenant Wilkins' terrified sprint through the jungle alone makes this movie worth the admission price! April 1, 2008

best jungle book ever

I love this version of the jungle book. I watched it when I was a kid and still love it. February 13, 2008

Please Re release on DVD!!!

Please re release this version of the Jungle Book on DVD!!! It is one of my favorite films of all time and I can't purchase it anywhere!!! I checked on Amazon and it is only available from sellers!!! August 5, 2007

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