Disney Films

I find it funny how there are certain trends that Disney uses in his films. Have you noticed how the mother is always killed? Snow White, Bambi, Lion King, and of the old children's stories that we grew up with. I am sure that Freud would have had a field day watching these films!!

What I really wanted to bring up was the movie Ferngully. This was a powerful film that addressed current issues at that time. For those who did not have the pleasure of watching this film, the plot is as follows: we meet the evil, polluting and destructive monster logging machine on its way to the beautiful and vibrant rain forest-- where we meet kind and sexy ( yes, strange that that is an element but the main character fairy is scantly clad) fairies who win our hearts. So the lumberjack ( also a sex symbol) walks through the forest marking trees to be destroyed ( all of them--an interesting comment on the idea of sustainable logging practices) and he is somehow transformed into a fairy sized man and learns about all of the destruction he is causing. Funny that he does not bring the fairy into his home and show her how he has a family to feed (a common argument for loggers, is it not?)

Bambi was made in a time in US history that people were very interested in preserving natural areas. Presidents were setting aside national monuments out west (think Teddy Roosevelt) and there was the argument between absolute preservation and mixed use. I would argue that Bambi reflects the absolute preservationist view that humans or "Man" is BAD and can only cause harm.

These two movies have probably shaped many of our views toward nature and conservation as well as other views (insert Freud comment here)