by Ken S on 8/11/2001
favorite track: 16
 
In the musical heritage of the Disney Classics, the score for Bambi is undoubtedly the most noble and dramatic achievement. In addition, the high class of Bambi's score makes it even less enjoyable amidst kid listeners - it is truly the one adults find more appealing.

The songs are, however, some of the most forgettable in Disney Classics - but, as the fact remains, the entire score for Bambi was designed to be one continuous "song" created to enhance the gorgeous visuals. The main theme, "Love is a Song," is the soul of the beautiful score; it captures the very essence of the subject, the true warmth of fauna and flora. Angelic chorus passages uplift almost the entire score.

Yet, the most interesting and best music comes from the darker moments of the score. Composers Frank Churchill and Edward Plumb created truly foreboding theme music for the destructive Man who invades the forest and threatens its original inhabitants. This theme, pulsating with menace, does indeed sound familiar to every basic movie-music-lover; John Williams used a similarly structured throbbing theme on his classic horror score for Jaws (1975). Even the orchestral turbulence, with sharp violins and menacing brass sections, bears an uncanny resemblance to Williams' own terror cues for Jaws ( - one may speculate the possibility that Bambi's score was the original inspiration for Williams' Jaws score). These outstanding cues on the Bambi score are called "Man," "Tragedy in the Meadow" and "Man Returns."

The score's more joyous and colourful highlights contain the wonderful theme for "Everybody Awake," as well as the playful melody for "Fun on the Ice." In addition, the soundtrack includes a demo recording of "Rain Drops," a song that is much more exhilarating than any other on Bambi's score.