Thumper

The 1942 release of “Bambi” is a classic.  In fact, the original copy which was done using nitrate stock which disintegrates rapidly is stored in the United States Library of Congress.  Today’s DVD restored version is actually much better than the original thanks to  the magic of digital technology.  “Bambi”’s beautifully animated nature scenes are so brilliantly colorful you would think Thomas Kinkaid had painted them.  Also, the original “Bambi” was in mono sound and earned three Academy Awards, all three in music and sound production.  The restored DVD version is in superior stereo sound and up to today’s surround sound standards.

Although the story of “Bambi” (based on the 1923 book by Felix Salten with the same name) is told through the eyes of Bambi, for us the real star of the movie is Bambi’s best friend and sidekick, Thumper the rabbit.  Since “Bambi” may have the least amount of dialogue of any full-length animated movie (it is 69 minutes long),  the interaction between Bambi and Thumper is the major part of it. 

At the beginning of the movie when all the forest creatures are gathered to see the little prince, the newborn offspring of the Prince of the forest,  it is Thumper who is the vocal one in the crowd.  When little Bambi tries to stand up Thumper chimes out in his childish, unique way of speaking, “He doesn’t walk very good, does he”.  This brings a response from Thumper’s mother who asks him what his father has taught him.  Thumper responds by suirming around with his hands behind his back and recites carefully and slowly, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”.

Thumper has several siblings he socializes with, yet he is still an independent spirit (much like our own house rabbits).  He is one who does not shy away from saying what he thinks.  It is Thumper who teaches Bambi how to talk, jump over logs, and even ice skate (which comically goes badly for Bambi).  When Bambi calls the skunk “flower”, Thumper rolls on his back in joyous laughter at such an idea (even though the name sticks, and “Flower” becomes their good friend).

Probably the funniest animated scene in the movie is after the wise old owl has warned Bambi, Thumper and Flower about the perils of the Springtime ritual of being “twitterpated” and the three bachelors walk away agreeing it will never happen to them.  But when Thumper gets a look at an attractive doe rabbit who is flirting with him, he is instantly  "twitterpated" and becomes stretched out in midair in a frozen position with an expression that is hilarious.

Later on in the movie Bambi and Thumper have their own families and their voices have matured.  It is humorous how all of Thumper’s children love to thump their left foot just like Thumper does.

To see a six-minute segment from “Bambi” showing Thumper’s antics with Bambi (except for the funny ice skating scene - you will have to rent or buy the DVD to see that) just click Thumper & Bambi.

The Disney animators did a wonderful job of staying true to the animal characteristics of the creatures they use in this film.  It has been said that “Bambi” was Walt Disney’s favorite film.  It was the only civilian project worked on during WWII, everything else done at the Disney studios was to help the war effort.  Even though the initial release of the movie lost money, it has since brought in millions of dollars.  To see the original 1942 Trailer click "Bambi" Trailer.

An added feature on the DVD version, disc #1, is an improvised commentary of the whole movie based on the notes made from the Story Meetings of Walt and his associates, interspersed with actual drawings from the Disney archives.  It is really amazing to watch how this wonderful “circle of life” movie was conceived and produced.