BAMBI: DIAMOND EDITION
Release date: March 1, 2011
Blu-ray version (some materials may not appear on the DVD version)

I hadn’t seen the classic Disney film “Bambi” for years, and having the chance to revisit it on the brilliance of Blu-ray, well, it got me twitterpated.

The realism in “Bambi” is remarkable. It’s quite believable that you are following the life of a deer through the joys and hardships that a true-life animal might endure. Bambi himself, doesn’t talk much, and yet it’s so easy to welcome him in to our hearts.

The artwork plays an important part in the movie. The artists studied animal anatomy and learned how to make these animated versions seem realistic, and I think nearly every frame of background in “Bambi” is a complete work of art.

Perhaps the high definition technology of Blu-ray enhanced my feelings about the film, but it really is in a league of its own. I’m not saying it’s BETTER than other Disney films necessarily, I don’t like to compare, but what I will state is that there’s nothing like it!

Here’s what in store for you in with the BONUS FEATURES:

BAMBI: INSIDE WALT’S STORY MEETINGS is an bonus feature from the previous release, but highly enhanced for Blu-ray. This is a dramatic recreation of story meetings held between 1937 and 1940. While no actual recordings exist from the time, actual transcripts exist from those meetings, and combined with beautiful visuals, you get an excellent idea of what one of these story meetings might have sounded like and some really amazing insight into the creative process that occurred between Walt Disney and his staff. While I’m not as familiar with the voices of the Disney artists, the actor who portrays Walt does an excellent job!

DELETED SCENES:
TWO LEAVES (3:07) is a scene between leaves, not animals, and is created for this Blu-ray using the original artwork developed for the film before it was decided not to use this scene.

BAMBI STUCK ON A REED (1:56) is cleverly created and narrated with visuals using the original storyboard artwork.

It’s fun to hear the DELETED SONG: TWITTERPATED is nicely performed, although there’s no credit given to the vocalist. Not sure if it would have fit in to the movie, but it is always fun to hear what might have been.

BAMBI INTERACTIVE GALLERIES let’s you browse through a plethora of images in the categories of Character Design, Backgrounds, Production Pictures, Storyboards and Visual Development. You can choose how you want to view them, select your favorites and other interactive options.

DISNEY’S BIG BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE: BAMBI EDITION is an onscreen interactive “book” in the style of the vintage educational books that Disney used to publish. This interactive activity will educate young and old alike while viewing Disney still and animated images themed around “Bambi.” There’s also simple games and virtual stickers for younger viewers.

CLASSIC DVD BONUS FEATURES are included with yet more deleted scenes, the original theatrical trailer, an excerpt from the “Disneyland” TV show (in color!), in which Walt discusses the multiplane camera and it’s role in the creation of “Bambi,” and the classic animated short, “The Old Mill,” which was the film that first used that multiplane camera.

The classic bonus features also include INSIDE THE DISNEY ARCHIVES, an eight and a half minute piece which doesn’t actually go in the Disney Archives, but in which animator Andreas Deja goes inside the Disney Animation Research Library to view some of the original “Bambi” materials. Rather than just viewing the incredible artwork, you get to hear Andreas’ insight and see his enthusiasm.

Of course no “Bambi” set would be complete without a MAKING OF BAMBI bonus feature, but since an excellent one was created for a previous release, there was no need to create a new one for the Blu-ray.

Lastly, you can PLAY MOVIE WITH DISNEY SECOND SCREEN. CLICK HERE to learn about DISNEY SECOND SCREEN.

Hope my fawning over the great materials, helped you know what to expect on this
“Bambi” Blu-ray.