Theory


Tell me if this is too far-fetched...

I must have read this somewhere but I can't find the original article anymore. I'll sum it up a bit. The Jungle Book was released in 1967, during the height of the Summer of Love. All the youngsters around the world start to revolt and don't want to be a part of dull/capitalistic society anymore.

Now, hold that mind and watch Jungle Book again: Mowgli doesn't want to go back to "the man-village" (= a strict society). This man-village is apparently not that good, according to Baloo. "They'll make a man out of him", he shouts. It's clear that Baloo doesn't want to follow any rules laid down in this society. All you need in life are "the bare necessities". Even The Vultures, modelled after '60s icons: The Beatles, can only find peace with eachother as the other part of the world doesn't like them. Can we see Mowgli as a "hippie" who's still struggling to choose between society and the rock 'n roll side of life?

Any views on that?

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An interesting idea to think about, but I believe that you`re reading too much into it. Disney wasn`t interested in make statements or allusions like that, just telling family friendly stories to entertain. Especially as Walt held a lot of conservative views that probably would have set him against making a story that had anything to do with counterculture even if in the end Mowgli chooses to join society.


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You need to watch Disney's Robin Hood. Similar time that they made it, and that scene in the forest with Mariam and Robin is probably the biggest "Summer of Love free love" thing. Robin even gives her a necklace of flowers.

Watched it when I was high and it was truly an experience.

And thats a story of rebellion against corporate society n stuff

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[deleted]

previous quote "Especially as Walt held a lot of conservative views"

Walt Disney WAS very conservative and he would be turning over in his grave if he could see what his beloved Disney machine has turned into...movies with cussing and sex, and especially the way Disney LOVES gays. I believe they were one of the first companies to extend benefits to gays' boyfriends/girlfriends and then of course there is the disgusting "Gay Days" every June at Disneyworld. (shakes head)

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I just thought that the Jungle Book could symbolize how the younger generation at the time felt during the Vietnam War (which was going on at the time the movie was released)

Mowgli (hippie or young person) wants to stay in the jungle (USA where there was no war) but Bagheera (The USA) is trying to get Mowgli to the Man Village (Vietnam War), but Mowgli refuses to go (protesting the draft). So, he encounters a lot of things like Kaa the Snake (Drugs and LSD), the monkeys (Civil Rights Movement), and the Vultures (Beatles or British Rock Invasion). Baloo could possibly represent Canada, since a lot of "draft dodgers" fled up there to avoid the draft (Baloo trying to keep Mowbli in the jungle).

That's my theory, I could be wrong.

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When Baloo first appears, he's singing "doobie doobie." So yes.

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