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The Jungle Book (1967)

By Andrew Stires · June 6, 2011

Screenplay Genre: Animation / Adventure / Family

Movie Time: 78 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Mowgli the Man Cub’s (Bruce Reitherman) adoptive wolf-pack meets and decides that with the return Shere Khan the Tiger (George Sanders) it is no longer safe for Mowgli to remain in the jungle.  Bagheera the Panther (Sebastion Cabot) volunteers to lead Mowgli safely back to the man-village, and so together, Mowgli and Bagheera venture into jungle that night. (00:8:00)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After escaping the hypnotic clutches of Kaa the Snake (Sterling Holloway) and marching with Colonel Hathi the Elephant’s (J. Pat O’Malley) dawn patrol, Mowgli continues his journey through the jungle with Bagheera back to the man-village.  Soon Mowgli becomes frustrated, insisting he wants to stay in the jungle. He and Bagheera get in a scuffle, and finally Bagheera gives up, leaving Mowgli alone in the jungle. (00:20:15)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

After rescuing Mowgli from King Louie of the Apes (Louis Prima), Bagheera convinces Baloo to take Mowgli back to the man-village. Baloo reluctantly agrees, but when he tells Mowgli where they are going, Mowgli feels betrayed by his friend and runs off into the jungle. (00:46:00)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

Mowgli finally confronts Shere Khan with the help of Baloo. During a fierce battle, Mowgli uses fire to defeat Shere Khan, but it appears that Baloo is mortally wounded. As Bagheera and Mowgli mourn the loss of their friend, Baloo slowly opens his eyes revealing that he is okay. (1:09:37)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheera arrive on the outskirts of the man-village. It looks like Mowgli might actually stay with Baloo and live in the jungle, but then he is distracted by a young girl fetching water for her family. Mowgli is intrigued even though Baloo warns him that girls are nothing but trouble. Finally, Mowgli must choose between the girl and the jungle. He looks back at Baloo and Bagheera, shrugs, and follows the girl into the man-village. (1:16:45)