The book of the jungleby Rudyard Kipling, is one of those classics that never go out of style. And in the dates that come it can also be a good gift for all kinds of readers, from the smallest to the centenarians. In their multiple editions and adaptations editorials to one audience or another and also those made for film or television.
I just saw the last one Mowgli, the legend of the jungle, Andy Serkis, A new twist darker than the previous ones. The question is again whether these adaptations are necessary. And the answer could be that any revision, if it maintains the essence of this universal work, welcome be. This is a review of some of them over time, which I end up with some phrases of Kipling's work.
We have all wanted to be Mowgli at one time or another. The child taken in by a herd of Wolves with the great Akela as a leader. And we have all wanted a bear like Baloo or a panther like Bagheera. Of course, little joke with the hypnotic, wise and mysterious Kaa. And that we could always go to Hathi or call them all to face the worst nightmare and terror of the jungle, the fearsome Shere khan.
The cinema has put faces to everyone, but without a doubt, those that exist in the collective imagination are those with animated lines of the version par excellence: the one that created Walt Disney in 1967. It is also the sweetest, as is the house brand. But there are many more.
The book of the jungle (1942)
It was the first of importance that was taken to the cinema and signed by the British brothers of Hungarian origin Zoltan, Alexander and Victor Korda. It is one of those great forgotten technicolor classics that we remember the most cinephiles and that we already have the age of the Saturdays Cinema and television similar. It stars one of the most popular actors of the time, the Indian Sabu. Its viewing is one of those experiences that should be had from time to time to appreciate one of the best adventure movies of all time.
The book of the jungle (1967) - Walt Disney
The most recognized and recognizable, the one we have been able to do the most watch and sing and also the one that softens the most momentous story Kipling ever wrote. Perhaps it is also the one that can most enhance those values of friendship and loyalty, especially for the smaller audience to which it is directed. But it is the hallmark of the house and it is also another of his most popular classics.
The Jungle Book - The Adventure Continues (1994)
We take a leap in time and we find this version that recovers the real image. This time it's a very free interpretation from the original where we have a Young mowgli who returns to civilization for the love of the daughter of an English military man. It was starred by the then popular American actor Jason scott lee and British actors like Cary Elwes o John Cleese.
The book of the jungle (2016)
Other review very recent and recommendedWho he led Jon Favreau. Also with real image and overwhelming special effects that made a quite good adventure movie with a lot of rhythm. The unknown child Neel Sethi as Mowgli. And the film, especially in its original version, already has the attraction of famous actors (Idris Elba or Scartlet Johannson) who lend their voices the main animals.
Mowgli, the legend of the jungle (2018)
And the last one, released a few days ago on the Netflix television platform. Andy Serkis make a version very personal and quite darker than all of the above. And it is true that sacrifice visual bill of the special effects and the recreation of the protagonists by a greater depth in his identity conflicts, especially in Mowgli, played by a very expressive child Rohan Chand.
And of course, for original version lovers, essential to appreciate the voices of Christian Bale (Bagheera), Serkis himself (Baloo), Cate Blanchett (Kaa) or Benedict Cumberbatch (Shere Khan).
Some phrases from the Rudyard Kipling classic
- It's no use being a man… If I don't understand the language that men use.
- A liar only lies when he trusts that they will believe him.
- In the Jungle even the smallest creatures can be prey.
- You have such confidence in yourself that you are absolutely careless. One more proof that you belong to the human race. You have to be cautious.
- The beasts know that man is the most defenseless animal in nature. It is not a prey worthy of a hunter that boasts of being one.
- You are really a man now. You are no longer a human cub. There is no longer a place for you in the Jungle. Let the tears flow, Mowgli.
- The Law of the Jungle, which never orders anything for no reason, prohibits all animals from eating human meat ... Although the real reason why it is prohibited is that killing men means, sooner or later, the arrival of white men on the back of elephants , armed with rifles, and hundreds of dark-skinned men with gongs, rockets, and torches. Then all the inhabitants of the jungle suffer.