Most people think Disney sequels are just cheap, straight-to-DVD cash grabs meant to babysit kids for eighty minutes. Honestly, for the most part, that's a fair assessment. We've all seen the choppy animation and heard the off-brand voice actors that usually define these follow-ups. But then there’s Bambi II: The Great Prince of the Forest. It’s a weird outlier. Released in 2006, it didn't just try to mimic the original; it actually filled a massive narrative gap that Walt Disney himself left wide open back in 1942.
You remember the original movie, right? Bambi’s mom dies, it's the most traumatic moment in cinematic history, and then—snap—Bambi is a full-grown buck with antlers and a deep voice. What happened in between? How does a grieving, spindly-legged fawn learn to be a prince from a father who is basically the "strong, silent type" personified? That's what this movie actually tackles. It's a midquel. A bridge. And surprisingly, it’s one of the most visually stunning pieces of traditional animation Disney's Australian studio ever produced before it was shuttered.
The Fatherhood Dynamic Nobody Expected
The Great Prince is a tough nut to crack. In the original film, he was this distant, god-like figure who appeared on rocky outcroppings to look stoic. In Bambi II: The Great Prince of the Forest, he’s forced into the role of a single parent. Patrick Stewart voices the Prince, and he brings this incredible, Shakespearean weight to the role. He isn't a "fun" dad. He’s a leader who doesn't know how to talk to a child.
It’s awkward. You’ve probably felt that tension in real life—trying to impress a parent who seems impossible to please. The movie leans into that discomfort. The Great Prince initially asks Friend Owl to find a doe to raise Bambi because he thinks he’s "unsuited" for the task. It’s a remarkably human conflict for a movie about deer. The film isn't about some grand villain or a quest to save the forest; it’s about a son wanting a hug and a father who doesn't know how to give one because he’s too busy worrying about "dignity."
The animation helps tell this story. The backgrounds are lush and hand-painted, mimicking the Tyrus Wong style from the 1942 classic. If you look closely at the forest scenes, you'll see the same hazy, atmospheric washes of color. They didn't use the harsh, clean digital lines that ruined other sequels like Cinderella II. They kept it soft. It feels like a dream.
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Why the Midquel Timeline Actually Works
Most sequels fail because they try to go forward when the story is already over. By placing the events of Bambi II: The Great Prince of the Forest right after the death of Bambi's mother, the writers tapped into the most interesting part of the character’s life. Bambi is vulnerable. He’s literally shivering in the snow.
Alexander Gould, the kid who voiced Nemo in Finding Nemo, provides the voice for Bambi here. He brings a specific kind of "earnest kid" energy that works perfectly against Patrick Stewart’s booming authority. We see Bambi trying to "leap" like a prince, trying to be brave, and failing. It’s relatable. It turns a legendary figure into a real person—well, a real deer.
Fact-Checking the Production: Is It Really "Bambi 2"?
Technically, it was released theatrically in many countries but went straight to video in the United States. This often leads to a "quality stigma." However, this wasn't a rush job. The director, Brian Pimental, was obsessed with maintaining the legacy of the original. He actually brought in Andreas Deja, the legendary animator behind Scar and Jafar, to serve as a consultant.
- The film holds the world record for the longest gap between a movie and its sequel (64 years).
- It features 2D animation during an era when Disney was pivoting hard toward 3D/CGI.
- The soundtrack features Martina McBride and Alison Krauss, leaning into a folk-country vibe that fits the woods perfectly.
There's a specific scene where Bambi has a dream about his mother. It’s gut-wrenching. The film doesn't shy away from the grief. It acknowledges that he’s traumatized. Most "kids' movies" today would breeze past that to get to a fart joke or a musical number. This movie lets the silence sit. It’s brave for a sequel to be that quiet.
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Ronno: The Antagonist Who Isn't a Villain
We meet Ronno in this film. If you've seen the original, you know Ronno as the big, mean buck who fights adult Bambi for Faline. Here, he’s a boastful, insecure fawn. He’s basically the "schoolyard bully" archetype.
Honestly, Ronno is kind of hilarious. He’s constantly telling fake stories about how tough he is, only to get spooked by his own shadow. He serves as a perfect foil to Bambi. While Bambi is quiet and genuinely trying to grow, Ronno is all talk. It adds a layer of social hierarchy to the forest that we didn't see in the first movie. It’s not just about surviving Man; it’s about surviving the social pressures of growing up.
The Visual Language of the Forest
You can't talk about Bambi II: The Great Prince of the Forest without mentioning the "Groundhog" scene. It’s the one part of the movie that feels a bit "Disney Sequel-y" with its slapstick humor, but even then, the colors are incredible. The way the light filters through the trees during the transition from winter to spring is a technical masterclass.
The artists used a lot of "multiplane" camera effects to give the forest depth. When Bambi runs through the brush, you feel the layers of the woods moving past. It’s not flat. It’s immersive. This wasn't some outsourced, low-budget project; the animators clearly cared about the source material. They used the original 1942 character sheets to make sure the anatomy was right. Deer are notoriously hard to draw because their legs are so thin and their movements are so precise. If you mess up the joints, they look like dogs. Here, they look like deer.
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Dealing with the "Man" Element
In the first film, "Man" was an invisible, terrifying force. That remains true here. The presence of Man is felt through the sound of dogs and the "clack" of traps. There is a sequence involving "The Meadow"—always the most dangerous place—where the Great Prince has to save Bambi from a pack of hunting dogs.
This sequence is intense. It’s not sugar-coated. It reinforces the idea that the Great Prince isn't just being "mean" or "distant" for the sake of it; he’s trying to keep his son alive in a world that wants to kill him. It’s a heavy burden. When you watch this as an adult, you realize the Great Prince is probably terrified the whole time. He’s already lost his mate. He can’t lose his son.
How to Appreciate the Film Today
If you’re going back to watch it, don’t expect a high-octane adventure. It’s a "vibe" movie. It’s meant to be watched on a rainy afternoon. It’s short—about 72 minutes—but it packs an emotional punch that many 2-hour blockbusters miss.
What’s interesting is how the film handles the "First Sign of Spring." It’s a metaphor for Bambi’s growth. At the start, he’s stuck in the frozen stasis of his mother’s death. By the end, he’s literally and figuratively moving into the light. It’s a coming-of-age story in the purest sense.
Actionable Insights for Disney Fans and Collectors:
- Check the Blu-ray Extras: If you can find the Special Edition release, watch the "Legacy" featurette. It shows how the animators used Walt's original notes to influence the father-son relationship.
- Watch it as a Double Feature: To truly appreciate the continuity, watch the first 40 minutes of Bambi, switch to Bambi II, and then finish the original. The transition is remarkably seamless for films made six decades apart.
- Analyze the Score: Listen to how Bruce Broughton incorporates themes from the original 1942 score. It’s subtle, but it’s there, especially in the horn sections.
- Compare Ronno’s Development: Notice how his personality as a fawn perfectly sets up his aggression as an adult in the "Duel for Faline" scene from the first movie. It’s one of the few times a prequel/midquel actually makes the original stronger.
The Great Prince isn't just a king; he’s a guy trying his best. And Bambi isn't just a mascot; he's a kid trying to find his footing. In a world of loud, abrasive sequels, Bambi II: The Great Prince of the Forest is a quiet, beautiful reminder that some stories are worth finishing, even if it takes sixty years to get there.