Jungle Book

About Jungle Book

Jungle Book (1942) is a cinematic adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's well-known collection of stories. The film revolves around a young boy, Mowgli, who is lost in the Indian jungle as a child and raised by wolves. The movie narrates his adventure-filled life in the jungle, where he encounters a variety of animals, both friends and foes, and his eventual return to human society.

Making / Production

The jungle scenes of the movie were rigorously shot in actual jungles of present-day Burma, infusing the much-needed wild aesthetics to the film. Combining live-action photography and heavy use of matte painting at a time when technicolor was becoming popular, the movie showed pioneering special effects and art direction unmatched for its time. It was produced by Alexander Korda and directed by his brother, Zoltan Korda.

Actors

• Sabu Dastagir as Mowgli - A highly praised performance by Sabu graces the movie, portraying the character with great innocence and courage.
• Joseph Calleia as Buldeo - The antagonist of the film, Buldeo is played by Calleia with a power that truly brings the character to life.
• John Qualen as The Barber - His comedic talent spices up the storyline and adds a layer of humor to the film.
• Frank Puglia as The Pundit - His stern yet empathetically portrayed character enhances the plot significantly.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was one of the very few Hollywood films to be filmed in Technicolor and released during WWII.
• Sabu Dastagir, who played Mowgli, was an Indian born actor who rose to fame internationally through this film.
• Originally, the movie had a much happier ending, but it was changed because it was not faithful to Kipling's story.

Awards

Alexander Korda was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Color for his production work on Jungle Book.

Quotes

• "Mowgli: I'm afraid of nothing when I'm on the back of my brother, the Wolf."
• "Buldeo: This is the night for strange noises. And for evil to walk."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Jungle Moon" - A haunting and mystical sound track that encapsulates the spirit of the jungle.
• "Lullaby" - A gentle and soothing tune that symbolizes the bond between Mowgli and his wolf mother.