Bambi Meets Godzilla

Classic Nick Wed. – Bambi Meets Godzilla

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

 For those of you who grew up watching Nickelodeon in the very early 1980’s you may remember “Bambi Meets Godzilla” from a number of different airings. At times it was shown in between programs, it was also seen on Livewire’s festival of short films and again on Turkey Television. But no matter where you saw this short film you will remember it as you watch it from the link provided.

First created in 1969 Marv Newland Bambi Meets Godzilla was listed as #38 in the book The 50 Greatest Cartoons in 1994.

Originally scheduled as a live-action film Newland abandoned the idea when he lost an essential magic hour shot and settled for an animation version instead.

When we first meet Bambi he is peacefully grazing in a small patch of grass as “Call to the Dairy Cows” from Rossini's opera William Tell (1829) plays in the background. As the credits scroll by he hasn’t a care in the world until he looks up to see Godzilla's foot coming down, crushing him with The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" played at half-speed. After a moment, the closing credits scroll over the image of Godzilla's foot. At the very end, Godzilla's claws twitch once.

Screenings & Distribution

This cartoon prefaced Godzilla 1985 on some VHS releases. Two sequels were later made without Newland's involvement: Son of Bambi Meets Godzilla and Bambi's Revenge, giving Godzilla a hot foot.

 References

Beck, Jerry (ed.) (1994). The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals. Atlanta: Turner Publishing. ISBN 1-878685-49-X.

 

Directed by – Marv Newland

Produced by – Marv Newland
Written by – Marv Newland
Cinematography – Marv Newland