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Ross Quick 12A

Comparison of Jungle book 1967 version and 2016 version

In both the 1967 and 2016 versions of the jungle book there are a variety of issues. These
are shared across the films as well as there being some differences. The films issues can be
observed to see a shift in attitudes in modern film and their change to support societal
changes and fit a modern audience. These attitudes can be split up into social, cultural and
political. The 1967 version was brought out in a time which was not long after war and during
a time women were not as equal to men as they are today. The film in 2016 was created
during a time where people focus on equality and there is a more focus on issues to do with
animals and their habitats.

In both versions of the film there are many social issues. Specifically in the 1967 version
there is a larger issue to do with gender and sexism. The film presents the male gender as
greater than the female one. This creates an unbalance on the genders and makes the male
gender seem superior and more dominant which is an untrue stereotype. This can be seen
in the film through the constant reference to man-cub and man-village. The use of man
shows that men are viewed more highly than women as they are the gender used to
represent the whole idea of humans. Both genders are stereotyped in the film as well. In the
scene in which mowgli first sees a young girl both genders are stereotyped strongly. Women
are represented as objects meant to look pretty and be innocent. With mowgli instantly being
fixed on her showing that men are only focused on women and chase after them. Women
are also seen as less than men as the girl sings of how men go out and hunt and women
have to collect the water cook the dinner and clean up. This presents women as having to do
more boring stay at home jobs and men go out and supply for everyone else. In the 2016
version there are much less issues surrounding gender and you can see a clear change in
attitudes from the first film. An example of this is that in the 1967 version the elephant said it
would be preposterous for a women to lead his pack. However in the 2016 version the
female wolf becomes the leader of the wolf pack and is a respected leader. This shows how
the societal change to women in high power jobs has changed. However in the 2016 film
there is still a lot of reference to man-cub and man-village. In the 2016 version there is
also less of a strong view on the ownership of mowgli. With the 1967 version there is a
constant theme of who is owning mowgli and a variety of characters feel they own mowgli
and should be ading for him and they feel he is one of theirs. However in the 2016 version
this is far less of a theme and mowgli has far more of a choice on who owns him.

There are also a variety of cultural issues and attitudes presented in both films. The 1967
film has a large cultural influence on the characters and the story of the film. An example of
this is the film is how the elephants are presented as characters. The elephants are set up
as military style characters with very stereotypical military characteristics. This fits the time
the film was released which was shortly after the end of war and war was a constant threat.
This is very different to how the elephants are portrayed in the 2016 film in which they are
perceived as gods. This is due to the species facing extinction which is a larger cultural issue
in modern day. The 1967 version also makes use of popular culture to create a comedic
effect and attract a larger audience. This is done through the vultures who are made to be
direct spoofs of the 1960s band the beatles. This appeals to the popular culture at the time
and makes the film more light hearted. This is not done in the 2016 film as the inclusion of
pop-culture is seen as less appealing to a modern audience and not serious enough for
modern films. Both films take a tribal influence in the film. This can be seen through mowgli
and his costume as well as the man-village which is clearly set like a tribe and follows tribal
ideas such as hunting.

Finally there are political attitudes addressed in the two films. A large example of this is seen
in both films through the wolf pack. In both films the pack follows one leader and votes
together on issues. This is similar to the modern and 1960s governments which follow a
very similar way of running and making decisions. There is also links to dictatorships in both
of the films. This is seen through the character of king louis who controls all of the monkeys
and gets what he wants. It is much more monarchy based in the 1967 version though with
king louis having a much more king style role over the other monkeys who more worship
him. However in the 2016 version king louis is more of a gangster style dictator who controls
using fear. He is much much larger than the 1967 version and is much more intimidating with
less of a monarch feel and more mob boss style. This shows the change in political views on
power with size and intimidation becoming much more dominant than the power you are
given as a monarch.

In conclusion the two films are present attitudes differently however show that some ideas
have stuck in film throughout the time period between the films. You can social political and
cultural changes in society and how film chooses to adjust to these changes. The 2016
version makes appropriate changes for its audiences and makes correct adjustment of
attitudes which separates it from the original 1967 version which to a modern day audience
has much stronger attitudes which it presents which is challenged by todays society.