Bambi Blu-ray Review

Disney's timeless animated classic "Bambi" has been magnificently restored for its Blu-ray release, providing a visually stunning experience that is both nostalgic and exhilarating. The film's native 1.33:1 aspect ratio has been expertly preserved, with the Disney View option offering custom artwork to mask the black bars, enhancing the viewing experience without distracting from the narrative. The AVC-encoded transfer faithfully captures the original beauty of the animation, delivering a picture that radiates with life and vitality. Colors are beautifully saturated with striking hues, especially in the lush greens of the forests and the vibrant primary colors of the seasonal transitions. The restoration work deftly balances the organic texture of the original film while enhancing depth and clarity. Blacks are solid and complete, and the overall contrast and shadow detail are impeccable, adding to the film's innate three-dimensionality.

Technically, Disney’s 1080p transfer is exemplary. The myriad subtle details, from delicately rendered brush strokes to fine line art, are reproduced with astonishing clarity. Notably, the multiplane camera work adds remarkable depth that feels natural and immersive. Restoration efforts ensure the image is free from compression artifacts, banding, ringing, and aliasing; every frame appears as if lifted directly from an animator's desk. Background textures transition smoothly with no noticeable flickering or color waning except for minor instances at the beginning. The scene where Bambi slides on ice exhibits a soft quality, but it’s a fleeting occurrence in an otherwise pristine presentation. This faithful restoration of "Bambi" serves as a fitting tribute to Disney’s legacy, capturing every nuance and essence of this animated masterpiece in high-definition splendor.

The Blu-ray consistently maintains exceptional contrast and clarity throughout the film. Dark sequences, such as Bambi’s fight for Faline, display robust black levels and fine gradation, bringing out nuanced details without faltering under scene transitions. Delightfully crisp whites enhance luminous scenes, adding to the overall brilliance of the visual presentation. Technical excellence is further emphasized as the transfer operates devoid of unwanted digital enhancements like edge enhancement or smearing. In conclusion, Disney’s meticulous restorative efforts ensure that "Bambi" not only stands as a high-definition marvel but also remains true to its cherished original imagery, enchanting audiences anew.

The audio presentation of "Bambi" on Blu-Ray features a DTS-HD High Resolution 7.1 surround mix, a first for Disney, that significantly enhances the original sound design while respecting its vintage roots. Although the transition from the original to this expanded format might be considered indulgent, the sound engineers have effectively utilized the new channels to enrich the overall auditory experience. The mix results in a wide, deep, and fuller soundstage with seamless panning, especially evident during sequences like the rainstorm and Thumper drumming his paw. This High-Resolution mix captures delicate details such as birdsong with impressive clarity and timbre, bringing a vibrant presence to these sonic elements. However, some may argue that a 5.1 configuration would have sufficed, maintaining much of the added ambience without leading to expectations of something extraordinary.

Musical arrangements remain a strong point, with Frank Churchill and Edward Plumb’s score beautifully spread across the expanded soundstage. The choir in "Little April Shower" is articulated with finesse, avoiding the hollow quality sometimes associated with older recordings. Instruments like cymbals and percussion benefit from keen separation and clarity, while the brass sections add robust vigor when needed. Despite being a lossy format as compared to DTS-HD Master Audio, the DTS-HD High Resolution track preserves considerable dynamic range and avoids any significant compression artifacts. Overall, the surround mix adeptly balances authenticity with enhancement, effectively placing listeners within the forest's enveloping acoustic landscape without detracting from its original 1942 essence. The dialogue remains clear albeit slightly low at times, and the subwoofer adds subtle but effective support to intense scenes, particularly during the dramatic forest fire sequences. This mix may not deliver modern lossless quality but achieves an impressive restoration of Bambi's timeless soundtrack.

The Blu-ray edition of Bambi offers an impressive variety of supplemental features that enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of this classic film. The highlight is undoubtedly "Inside Walt’s Story Meetings-Enhanced Edition," a Picture-in-Picture track that recreates the original story sessions between Walt Disney and his team, using dramatic voice re-enactments and a plethora of archival materials. The disc also includes "The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born," a six-part documentary exploring every facet of the film's production, from story and characters to music and history. Users can interact with extensive photo galleries and learn through educational features like Disney's Big Book of Knowledge. Noteworthy are also the deleted scenes and song, vintage featurettes such as "Tricks of the Trade," and the celebrated Silly Symphony short "The Old Mill."

Extras included in this disc:

• Inside Walt's Story Meetings-Enhanced Edition: A multi-tiered, interactive exploration of the film's creation.
• The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born: An extensive six-part documentary on the film’s production.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes "Bambi Stuck on a Reed," "Two Leaves," "Winter Grass," and "Bambi's First Snow."
• Deleted Song: An audio recording of "Twitterpated."
• Interactive Galleries: Extensive photo galleries with character design sketches, background paintings, production pictures, etc.
• Disney’s Big Book of Knowledge: An interactive educational gaming experience tailored to children.
• Tricks of the Trade: Walt Disney explains the multi-plane camera technique.
• The Old Mill: A 1937 Academy Award-winning Silly Symphony short film.
• Inside the Disney Archives: A tour featuring original artwork from the film's production.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The original 1942 trailer for Bambi.
• Disney Second Screen: Sync your laptop or iPad for additional content.

Disney’s 1942 masterpiece, Bambi, remains an undiminished classic celebrated for its emotional depth, minimalistic storytelling, and technical brilliance. The film centers on a young deer, Bambi, who is dubbed the ‘Prince of the Forest’ and embarks on a journey of discovery, friendship, and survival. Accompanied by lovable characters like Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk, Bambi learns vital life lessons under the guidance of Friend Owl. This coming-of-age narrative, with its simple yet profound themes of love, loss, and resilience, resonates across generations and maintains its relevance even today.

Disney’s meticulous craftsmanship is evident in Bambi’s extraordinary animation and lifelike animal depictions. By employing a multiplane camera, Disney introduced cinematic depth that complemented the film’s hand-painted backgrounds. The animators studied real animals’ behavior, ensuring an authentic portrayal of their movements and interactions. This dedication to realism, coupled with Frank Churchill and Edward Plumb’s evocative score, elevates Bambi beyond mere animation, turning it into a moving symphony of visuals and sound. Notably, the film's dialogue is sparse yet impactful, adding to its understated narrative beauty.

Bambi’s cultural impact extends beyond its storytelling. The film's heartfelt depiction of nature and wildlife sparked significant conversations about hunting and animal conservation, showcasing its profound influence on society. As a testament to Disney's innovative spirit and passion for wildlife, Bambi remains a pioneering force in animated cinema. This Blu-ray edition enhances the viewing experience with a scintillating audiovisual transfer that preserves the film’s timeless charm and artistry. Classic yet continually relevant, Bambi stands as an enduring piece of cinematic history that belongs in every film enthusiast’s collection.

"Bambi," a timeless classic, remains as heartfelt and moving today as it was nearly seventy years ago. This Diamond Edition Blu-ray highlights Disney's exceptional ability to masterfully restore and preserve their treasured animations. With a video transfer that delivers demo-worthy quality, the visual experience is nothing short of stunning. Unfortunately, the 7.1 audio track is presented in a 2046kbps DTS-HD High Resolution format, lacking the desired lossless quality, which might be a slight drawback for audiophiles.

However, this minor shortcoming should not overshadow the sheer brilliance of the release. The film still captivates with its simple yet profound story of a young deer's journey through a world filled with both beauty and peril. The restoration is impeccable, truly bringing the enchanting animation and heartfelt narrative to life. Moreover, the supplemental package is unexpectedly revealing and generously packed, providing an in-depth look into the making of this cherished film.

In conclusion, despite the absence of a lossless audio track, "Bambi" on Blu-ray is a must-own for any Disney aficionado or animation enthusiast. Its remarkable restoration and compelling bonus content make it a standout addition to any collection. Don’t hesitate to purchase and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and emotional depth that "Bambi" offers.