The Jungle Book (1994)

The Jungle Book - 1994

Coming up next is my favorite telling of a classic tale, 1994's "The Jungle Book", starring Jason Scott Lee.  In this version, Mowgli seeks to face the dreaded tiger Shere Khan with no fear.  Also in this version, the familiar animals Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa, King Louie, and Shere Khan do not speak as in other versions of the story.

The supporting cast includes Sam Neill, Lena Heady, John Cleese, Cary Elwes, Jason Flemyng, Ron Donachie, and Faran Tahir.

The story begins with the introduction of Mowgli and Kitty, and the bond that brings them together.  Both are motherless and both are interested in each other.  Mowgli's father acts as a guide for Kitty's father, Colonel Brydon.

One night, Mowgli's father is killed by Shere Khan, a tiger feared by all in the area.  Mowgli gets lost in the commotion and is taken in by Bagheera, the panther, and brought to be raised by a pack of wolves.

One day, Mowgli discovers Monkey City, which is an ancient city now in the charge of King Louie, an orangutan, who has charge of a large treasure guarded by the snake Kaa.

King Louie is not the only monkey in Monkey City.  It is completely overrun with many different species of primates.

The main feature of Monkey City is, of course, the treasure room.  It's literally packed with gold, precious stones, and other valuable items.

The room is immense and stretches to either side of a small river, where many treasure hunters have found their death because of Kaa.

Mowgli finds a bejeweled dagger and battles Kaa.  Later, treasure hunters want to know where the dagger comes from, and they force Mowgli to bring them to its original location, not knowing how dangerous it really is.

The British Dr. Plumford brings a group of ladies to sketch wildlife in the jungle, among them Kitty Brydon, who Mowgli took such an interest in years earlier.

Kitty impresses the doctor with her skill at being able to distinguish between the different kinds of wildlife.  She crosses the bridge over the waterfall into the "Black Jungle".

There she comes face to face with Mowgli for the first time since they were children, although neither realizes who the other is.

Eventually, Kitty comes to realize the truth about Mowgli and sets about trying to acclimate him to civilization.  He shows her his jungle home.  A funny scene during their lessons involves Dr. Plumford and Mowgli as they are looking at different pictures.  Dr. Plumford says, "No, that's not a boat.  That's Queen Victoria."

The man Kitty is involved with is not happy about Mowgli and sets out to see him ruined as well as to find the source of treasure where the dagger came from.  Mowgli leads them to Monkey City.  All's well that ends well, and King Louie looks on in approval.

Shere Khan is waiting for them as Kitty and Mowgli leave Monkey City.  A showdown that is a long time in coming.

Mowgli faces Shere Khan and shows no fear, becoming the lord of the jungle.

Cast rundown:

   Jason Scott Lee...........................................Mowgli

   Sam Neill....................................................Colonel Geoffrey Brydon

   Lena Heady.................................................Kitty Brydon

   John Cleese.................................................Dr. Julien Plumford

   Cary Elwes..................................................Captain William Boone

   Jason Flemyng.............................................Lt. John Wilkins

   Ron Donachie...............................................Sgt. Harley

   Faran Tahir...................................................Nathoo

And that's all for The Jungle Book.  It is very different from the animated version, but is a wonderful adventure film with a familiar story.

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