Jungle Book

Released Apr 3, 1942

1 hr. 49 min.

Adventure

List

54%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

The father of young Mowgli (Sabu) is killed by a jungle tiger during the child's early years. Having no family, the boy lives with wolves and befriends a variety of animals. After several years, Mowgli is discovered and returned to his mother, and must grow accustomed to human practices. When Mowgli and new love interest Mahala (Patricia O'Rourke) trek into the jungle together, they discover treasure that causes Mahala's father, Buldeo (Joseph Calleia), to get greedy, with tragic consequences.

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Teddy B

Conceptually interesting but unfortunately forgettable and an eyesore from time to time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This was one of my Mom's favorite movies when she was a kid. I found it incredibly boring as a kid... And really preferred the Disney Jungle Book from the 90s,bc Mowgli was so damn hot! As a teen, my mom and I bonded by reading the same books together and at some point we read a "complete works of Kipling." Rewatching this movie in my 20s made me realize this version of Jungle Book does the best job translating the true story/msg of the book to film. Unfortunately, the special effects are a victim of the era. In 1942, there are some really impressive efforts... 80 years later, we view them as unforgivably bad. Sabu gives a genuine and convincing performance and I would love to see this lost classic remastered and used as a foundation for a new live action Jungle Book film. Repaced and with modern effects, I think a lower budget modern film that hit the philosophical beats of this film instead of dumping millions of dollars into flashy computer animation could be a sleeper hit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

r 9

I didn't find entertainment watching this 'Jungle Book'. I will say, as many others have, colour-wise it looks real neat. I'm admittedly not a huge fan of any adaptation of this classic story yet, though do thoroughly enjoy the 1994 and 2016 versions; as well as liking the 1967 animated attempt, of course. This 1942 film is my least favourite so far. The way it is all told didn't interest me all that much. The stuff with the animals looks - welfare concerns aside - good, but what hampers it most in my opinion is that it puts heavy focus on the humans. I didn't feel satisfied watching any of the onscreen talent. The performances of Sabu (Mowgli), Joseph Calleia (Buldeo) & Co. didn't do anything for me. There's also, as you might expect, inappropriate casting/make-up. It's not a terrible film, just one of those that drags as it never excites or intrigues - for me, at least.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I truly enjoyed this movie 🍿 and highly recommend watching watching on your own or with your family. Although the story, itself, is over 125 years old it the lessons are still relevant in today's world. In my opinion the lessons are: not to kill, either people or animals for pleasure or gain. Respect of both people and nature. And the most prevalent lesson of how greed will ultimately be your downfall. These are displayed in a very enjoyable and entertaining manner. The actual movie is 80 years old do some allowances do need to be made and not to compare it to the graphics of today. This being said, considering the time I was very impressed with the overall effects of working with the animals, the huge fire etc. So grab some popcorn 🍿, turn down the lights and enjoy. 👍😉

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not quite the charmer that you get with the Disney versions, but I really liked the cinematography. It's a beautiful film visually. (First and only viewing - 11/24/2019)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

underrated, technically advanced for its time. Perhaps making Sabu act in a role meant for a Mowgli under 10 robbed this movie of the fun factor (aplenty in his Elephant Boy 5 years earlier when he was 13) everyone is craving for after the 2 Disney movies, which Disney in 1967 consciously decided to depart from the original Jungle Books, which were more serious ...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Zoltan Korda

Director

Sabu

Mowgli

Joseph Calleia

Buldeo

John Qualen

The Barber

Frank Puglia

The Pundit

Rosemary DeCamp

Messua

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

The color is strikingly vivid and some of the individual scenes have natural charm. But the film, as a whole, is ostentatious.

Apr 15, 2016

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

It's a formless, often dull time, but the verdant Technicolor (shot by Lee Garmes) gives it a nice gloss.

Apr 15, 2016

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

As directed by Zoltan Korda, the fiction takes secondary place to the highly interesting and sometimes amazing views of jungle animals in the brilliance of colored photography.

Apr 15, 2016

Full Review

Elena de la Torre

Cine-Mundial

A wonderful spectacle for all children. [Full Review in Spanish]

Sep 16, 2019

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

The light and casual tone of the movie, the humor of some moments and the very varied score of Miklós Rozsa makes 'Jungle book' a film that is good to remember. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 27, 2019

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

The spirit of the original is missing and the whole film despite the lavish nature of its production is unsatisfying.

Jan 23, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

The father of young Mowgli (Sabu) is killed by a jungle tiger during the child's early years. Having no family, the boy lives with wolves and befriends a variety of animals. After several years, Mowgli is discovered and returned to his mother, and must grow accustomed to human practices. When Mowgli and new love interest Mahala (Patricia O'Rourke) trek into the jungle together, they discover treasure that causes Mahala's father, Buldeo (Joseph Calleia), to get greedy, with tragic consequences.

Director: Zoltan Korda
Screenwriter: Laurence Stallings
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Alexander Korda Films
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1942, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 19, 2014

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