Recently I have been re-watching s few of my favourite Disney movies from when I was younger, including Bambi, The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid. Watching these and being a lot older, I am finding myself surprised at how many parts of the films you don't notice (or understand) when you are younger. This made me think back to our lecture with Hamid Van Koten on Disneyfication and the hidden messages in Disney films.
Baloo and Mowgli, Disney's The Jungle Book
As a child, The Jungle Book was definitely one of my favourite Disney films - I watched it constantly! However, after watching it again I was surprised to see how many parts of the film I didn't pick up on when I was younger. I used to think that the story was very basic - a boy lived in the jungle and didn't go want to back to the 'man village'. Now I am older I realise how many hidden messages there are in the film, as well as picking up on comments I had previously been oblivious to.
The story of Mowgli and his journey, from being abandoned to being brought up by a wolf pack, to making friends who he feels then betray him, to finding his way back to where he belongs, goes through various aspects of life and puts across to children messages that they will probably have already been told, but in a way they are probably more likely to understand.
Mowgli being discovered by the wolves
From the start, where Mowgli is abandoned and taken in by the wolf pack, the film addresses important issues. The issue of abandonment is one, although it is only now I am older that I actually picked up on this, as is the way the wolves 'adopt' Mowgli. The way he is brought up as one of their family is showing that you can always feel as though you belong even somewhere where you may be out of place. Shere Khan the tiger, who everyone in the jungle fears, is a good example of sending a message to children that you should not speak to strangers as they can be dangerous, no matter what they come across as. Although Mowgli has been told that he should be scared of Shere Khan "everyone runs from Shere Khan", he stands up to him and says he is not to be scared, only to find out that this just runs him into trouble which he needs his friends to save him from. The story also puts across the message of being careful who you trust, and that you must be wary of new people. Kaa the snake is a good example of this. When Mowgli runs away from Bagheera and Baloo, he comes across Kaa the snake, who he trusts only to discover later that he shouldn't have, and that Kaa really only wants to hypnotise him and later eat him. King Louie is also a good example of this, as he tries to befriend Mowgli and although he is unsure at first, he falls for it even though King Louie just wants him there because he wants to be a man. Again, it is Baloo and Bagheera who save him from this. One of the positive messages the film puts across is that of friendship and the importance of it. No matter what he does, Baloo and Bagheera are always there for Mowgli, caring for him and thinking about what is best for him. In this respect, the film is maybe trying to hint at parenting skills,and that no matter how much you, as a child, don't want to do what your parents tell you to and think they are being horrible, they are always looking out for you and doing what is in your best interests. Bagheera the panther symbolises the more responsible parent, thinking sensibly and constantly worrying, but with a quick temper at times, whereas Baloo the bear is like the relaxed, fun parent, although just as caring, but who eventually realises that he too must do what is best for Mowgli in the long term.
Ariel, Disney's The Little Mermaid
The story of The Little Mermaid made me think back to one of the points made in Hamid's lecture about the women in Disney films. Ariel is a typical 'Disney Princess'. She has lovely long hair, a beautiful voice, an angelic look about her, and what is perceived to be the 'perfect' body. On the other hand, Ursula, the sea witch, with a more voluptuous figure, is the 'baddie'. I feel this is such a bed message to be sending out to young girls, like I mentioned in my last Disneyfication post.
One of Disney's newest films, Up, also covers a variety of life issues that children might face, from the obvious good and evil to divorce, loyalty and friendship. For those of you who haven't seen it, Up is the story of a boy who meets a girl who has the same interests as him, and they make a plan to travel to South America and go to paradise falls. The first part of the film is a little depressing, with a shortened version of their life together, from not being able to have children to her dying. The man turns very grumpy and, when he is told he must go to a retirement village, he fills his chimney with balloons and the house floats away. Little does he know he has brought a little boy with him by accident, who was trying to find a bird under his porch. Together they battle through the weather and make it to paradise falls, where they discover a bird which the old man's hero had been looking for years ago. However, when they come across the hero, he is not what they thought he would be like, and so the story goes on... (I don't want to give the whole thing away!)
Old Mr Carl Fredricksen and his floating house
The hidden messages in Disney's films are becoming more and more noticed. Recently a group on facebook has been created, in which you become a fan to discover Disney's most shocking message which apparently 97% of people don't notice. I, and a few of my friends, have found that this doesn't work and is just a con, but I can't help but wonder what it is...
After watching and re-watching many of Disney's animated films, I think they provide not only entertainment for children and adults alike, but they also put across important messages to children about life.
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