Today, Disney Home Entertainment is releasing their 1967 classic The Jungle Book for the first time on Blu-ray, as part of the Diamond Edition series.  Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s classic story, the film follows Mowgli (Bruce Reitherman), a boy raised by animals who is taken under the wing of the loveable bear Baloo (Phil Harris).

The last film that Walt Disney himself oversaw as a producer before sadly passing away during the production in 1966, this remains an important chapter in the history of the studio.  Featuring charming characters and delightful songs, including the Oscar-nominated “The Bare Necessities,” The Jungle Book is an absolutely wonderful animated classic that comes highly recommended on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray includes a recently discovered alternate ending, multiple featurettes on the production and a “Bear-E-Oke” sing along track.

The Jungle Book is 78 minutes and rated G.

-John Corrado