The Jungle Book Was Far Darker
Most people associate the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book with humorous characters and memorable songs like "The Bare Necessities." The actual story that inspired the film was far darker than what was shown in the Disney version. The film is based on the Rudyard Kipling book of the same name. Kipling's collection of stories often touched on heavier themes such as abandonment, law, freedom, and death.
Walt Disney prevented the film's original story artist, Bill Peet, from sticking to the original book's darker themes. Disney opted for a more lighthearted and family-friendly approach, which resulted in the iconic and beloved animated film that generations have come to enjoy. While it may have deviated from the source material's darker tone, Disney's adaptation still became a classic in its own right.
