Cast
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Jason Scott Lee
as Mowgli
Cary Elwes
as Captain William Boone
Lena Headey
as Katherine 'Kitty' Brydon
Sam Neill
as Colonel Geofferey Brydon
John Cleese
as Dr. Julius Plumford
Jason Flemyng
as Wilkins
Stefan Kalipha
as Buldeo
Ron Donachie
as Harley
Anirudh Agarwal
as Tabaqui
Faran Tahir
as Nathoo
Sean Naegeli
as Mowgli, age 5
Joanna Wolff
as Kitty, age 5
Liza Walker
as Alice
Rachel Robertson
as Rose
Natalie Morse
as Margaret
Crew
Director
- Stephen Sommers
Producer
- Edward S. Feldman
- Raju Patel
Reviews
r96sk
Very good.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this 1994 version of <em>'The Jungle Book'</em>, though I'm pleased to say it exceeded my expectations. It's a very different telling of Rudyard Kipling's work from what I've previously seen, which actually gives it a fresher feel. If we're comparing film adaptations, the 2016 remake is the better film.
I still thoroughly enjoyed this one though. I liked the switch-up of events, while the death scenes are excellent. Cast-wise it's strong, with Jason Scott Lee (Mowgli), Cary Elwes (William), Lena Headey (Katherine), Sam Neill (Geoffrey) and John Cleese (Julius) all appearing. Lee and Elwes are the standouts, but I rate all five of them.
The score is mostly alright, but some moments of it are superb; one part in particular reminded me, somewhat randomly, of television's <em>'The Crown'</em>. There are a few things that I can understand being deemed as downsides, those include the silent animals (voices wouldn't have worked here, imo) and obvious nature of the plot.
Pleasant film, one of the best adaptations of TJB that I've seen.
Oct 2, 2020
Wuchak
_**Mowgli Jones of the Jungle**_
From 1887 to the turn of the century a boy is raised by wolves in the jungles of India where Shere Khan the tiger dwells and threatens. With assistance from Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther, Mowgli (Jason Scott Lee) learns the "Law of the Jungle” before going back to civilization and learning the strange ways and corruptions of humanity, as well as love. Sam Neill, Lena Headey, Cary Elwes and John Cleese are on hand.
"The Jungle Book" (1994) mixes the sweet innocence of Rudyard Kipling's fables with “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan” (1984) and Indiana Jones. Don’t expect talking animals as this is a relatively realistic adventure with some cute animal reactions, but not overdone. While I prefer “Greystoke” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” it’s at least on par with “Temple of Doom” and “The Last Crusade.” It needed more human interest to keep the attention of adults, but has enough I reckon.
Some people have complained that Jason Scott Lee was miscast, but it’s assumed Mowgli’s mother (whom we never see and died when he was born) was of Asian descent. Keep in mind that, geographically, Southeast Asia is right around the corner from the Indian subcontinent, not to mention Nepal/China to the north, and so mixed marriages weren’t exactly unheard of. Meanwhile Lee himself is a mix of Polynesian & Chinese blood. For the movie, making Mowgli part-Asian made him an outsider to both the British and the Indians, which works for me.
The beautiful Lena Headey does well in her role while Elwes is effective as the odious Brit snob. Lee, of course, kicks total axx while the live-action animals and spectacular locations are worth the price of admission.
The film runs 1 hour, 51 minutes, and was shot in Jodhpur in northwestern India (scenes featuring monkeys and elephants), as well as Bombay (Mowgli's urban interaction scenes), Tennessee (Fall Creek Falls & Ozone Falls) and South Carolina (Fripp Island & nearby Beaufort).
GRADE: B/B-
Jul 9, 2021
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Jungle Book examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Stephen Sommers brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1994, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Jungle Book took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $27.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 111 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 144 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 3 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 1735 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1994, when this film was released:
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Jungle Book shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Princess Mononoke, which focuses more on action than character development, The Jungle Book subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and '71 explore similar territory, The Jungle Book stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 23, 1994
- Runtime: 1h 51m
- Budget: $27,000,000
- Revenue: $53,508,356
