Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969) Poster

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8/10
A life-altering event
Tito-824 March 1999
The first time that I saw this amazing film, I wasn't really paying much attention. I didn't notice the title, and I was casually glancing at the screen every now and then just waiting for something to happen. Then it did. Life just hasn't been the same since...
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8/10
Very funny
rbverhoef4 April 2005
'Bambi Meets Godzilla' is almost two minutes filled with smiles and laughs. We start with the opening credits rolling on our screen while we see Bambi eating and simply standing there. The credits themselves are pretty funny. Then Bambi meets Godzilla, again, funny. We end with some written words and you will laugh once more.

This little animated film, in black and white, shows how easy it is to make an entertaining piece of work. Although there is a good chance you expect the events shown on the screen it is the timing that makes it funnier than it might be. The music plays a part as well. A hilarious comedy short created by Marv Newland (the credits tell you this and more).
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7/10
A good short
homer_simpson9122 November 2001
Unimpressive visually, but this short was only made for one joke and the joke is funny. Better if you don't know anything about it before viewing it. Not worth running out and buying a video of, but worth checking out if you get the chance. EXTREMELY short (about 2 minutes).

7/10
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10/10
A cast of thousands
Acolyte-210 February 1999
A sweeping epic of monumental proportions, "Bambi Meets Godzilla" combines a lyrical script, stellar performances by the entire cast, the most outstanding special effects available at the time and a score which is a classic in its own right to produce a spectacle that is as memorable as it is lengthy. Not many movies can command an audience's attention for as long as "Bambi Meets Godzilla", but here the performances are so engaging, and the visuals so stunning, that it feels as if the movie is over almost before it has begun. Even so, it is just barely sufficient to contain the entire sweep of the grand drama it has embraced. Truly a magnum opus in every sense of the word.
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The wrecking ball of my fragile childhood!
MarkinTempe9 April 2002
Once upon a time there was a 7 year old boy who was staying up in front of the set well past his bedtime. What appeared to be anyway, was an innocuous introduction for a cartoon. An innocent fawn walked onto the screen,grazing so eloquently to the sound of the forest birds chirping so heavenly. So peaceful. Almost gracefully. What could possibly be more harmonious than this virginal rhythm of nature? What could...? What the...?! Where did that come from?! How could this be?! Where's my Mommy!?

BAMBI MEETS GODZILLA has long since been a cult classic and staple at cartoon/animation festivals. Well representative of the counterculture,it has won numerous accolades for best animated short in most quarters. If you haven't seen it yet, it is also featured on Cartoon Network every once in awhile. The last time I saw B.M.G. was about 11 years ago(long after the visceral assault on my prepubescent psyche)on the late nite show NIGHT FLIGHT. It was obviously an underground film,but since you can now find it at BlockBuster and buy it on Amazon.com, I'm not sure how the creators managed to sidestep(unlike you know who!) the Walt Disney Company. The film is no doubt groundbreaking(a relevant term)and had to be the inspiration for such artists as Tim Burton, Matt Groening,Mike Judge,Rob Zombie and Tre Parker to name a few. It's good to see that art can be a device as well as a form of expression.
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7/10
First Impression of Godzilla!
OllieSuave-0077 June 2003
I remember watching this short when it was bonus material for the video "Godzilla 1985." It was shown right before the feature presentation started. In the video, as "Bambi Meets Godzilla" was shown before "Godzilla 1985," which is the first Godzilla film I've watched, this cartoon was actually the first Godzilla I've encountered, strangely enough. For anything Godzilla-related, this cartoon was the first to bring it to me. What a first impression of Godzilla!
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9/10
Probably more laughs per second than any other film ever!
llltdesq21 October 2000
Seeing as this cartoon is very short (I wouldn't be at all surprised if the opening title and closing credits run longer than the body of the cartoon itself), there are probably more laughs per second here than anything else ever done. The music is perfect, the credits are hilarious and if I write much more, this comment will come dangerously close to taking longer to read aloud than the running time of the cartoon. Bambi should have prepared more for this meeting. Highly recommended.
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7/10
Brevity is the Soul of Wit!
Manicheus7 December 2002
Animated film at its 90-seconds best with a punch line that leaves you giggling as if you have just seen a raunchier moment in the renaissance comedy. I adore the way Rossini's pastoral music is being employed here. Canadian wry humor (and some brilliant animated film history) meet the Bambi ideals of our youthful dreams? You bet! It's like life with its insurance policies when it suddenly steps on your head. And this Godzilla ain't no Inoshiro Honda either! This film has elements of perfection: the simplicity of form, the brevity, the unexpected, the Aesopian morale of the story (ouch, what a punch!)and, best of all, that joyful touch of grouchiness without even being mean-spirited. **** out of 5 stars/or in the IMDB terms 8/10.
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10/10
The shortest classic I've ever seen
Meeker30 August 2004
The first time I saw this movie was in the mid 70s. It was a small town theatre (Elora Gorge Cinema) that held about 120 people. It was part of a midnight show and sandwiched between Reefer Madness and the Beatles' Let It Be.

Everyone sparked up when Reefer Madness started so when Bambi made her appearance we were all pleasantly buzzed.

When Godzilla made his appearance we were all pretty much destroyed. That was the first (and one of the few) times I've seen people actually rolling in the aisles. Some people were still laughing 10 minutes later and afterwards, it always brought a smile to our faces when mentioned.

I've seen it a few times since then and it still cracks me up... even when I'm sober.
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6/10
Godzilla Meets Bambi.
morrison-dylan-fan16 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Hearing about the movie a few years ago,I for reason believed that it was a made up title.Whilst looking round online for cartoons,I was shocked to find that the film was actually real!,which led to me getting ready to see the fight.

The plot:

As he starts eating some grass,Bambi hears some large footsteps.Before Bambi gets a chance to look up,Godzilla enters the film.

View on the short.

Made in 2 weeks,writer/director Marv Newland uses a calm classical score to put the viewer in a relaxed mood,which is crushed by the reverberating notes of The Beatles song A Day in the Life.Giving the animation a raw,Punk design,Newland disappointingly misses an opportunity to give the movie a deeper shade of black Comedy,by Newland sadly not having Bambi look up to the up-coming 'Zilla stomp.
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2/10
I feel sorry for people who have had their lives changed by this.
Mightyzebra28 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
To be perfectly true, this is an incredibly short film (only 2 minutes) that not everyone will like (As you may have noticed I do not). A. Grown-up people who will go up in hysterics to cruel things will find this funny and good. B. Young children will not.

Bambi is cute and the music is entertaining, but the rest of it is not particularly worth bothering with (unless you are person A above). Surprisingly this short is quite well-known and popular, as well as being on YouTube.

Basically it's about Bambi getting crushed by Godzilla. This is nothing particularly special. It seems to be that this has changed people's lives and I feel rather sorry for them. They must have very boring, rather cruel lives. Watch something nice and delightful and then you can see how boring and mean this really is, then you may just change your mind. Or of course you could just stop reading and not listen to me jabbering on and on about how mediocre this cartoon short is...

Two and a half out of ten.
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8/10
2nd Best Godzilla flick ever!
yenlo13 August 1999
Next to the original film with Raymond Burr this is the next best Godzilla movie. The film makers get right to the point. No time is wasted on worthless dialog. The Deer and giant creature meet and one of them wins, End of story roll credits. Vastly superior to the 1998 Godzilla full length feature film.
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7/10
So simple and tragic that it becomes charming, and a very unfair fight...
RosanaBotafogo8 May 2021
So simple and tragic that it becomes charming, and a very unfair fight... And several versions were reproduced, technical qualities, but maintaining the same essential, create and simplistic...
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5/10
Well....
TOMNEL29 December 2006
I rented this about 10 years ago with about 30 minutes of other cartoons after this, and this....well it delivers what it promises. The short must be around a minute long and it just consists of Bambi eating some grass, Godzilla's foot comes down and stomps him, we see a twitch in Godzilla's toe, and it's over. It was funny the first time I saw it because of how short and intense it was. After that, you realize it is just a really low budget, poorly animated short that has nothing, and anyone could make it. I have to give it at least partial credit because it was amusing, but the cartoons that follow are much better.

My rating: ** out of ****. 1 min.
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8/10
One and one-half minutes of pleasure
bejmaf9 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I will not put any spoilers on. I believe there haven't been too many comments about this film. Anyway, when I saw this film in 1970 at a film festival with a large crowd, nobody knew what to expect. The opening credits started rolling in front of Bambi having an idyllic morning snack to the exact music you would think would be playing during such an idyllic happening. The credits were repetitious, but it soon became clear that they were going to be repetitious so as to be funny, and yes, there was a nice punchline to the credits. Well, when the credits ended, it wasn't long before the cartoon ended. The entire theatre burst into enormous laughter which lasted for several minutes along with loud and long clapping.

Anyone who thinks they actually wasted 90 seconds of their life watching this gem must have a warped sense of reality, or at least, time. Regardless of a low budget, "amateurish" artwork, and no "story", this is one of the most entertaining films ever made. The wit and creativity involved shame most big-budget Hollywood films which take 2 1/4 hours and don't usually supply as much entertainment as this does in 1 1/2 minutes. It's much better than any jokes I've heard since seeing it. It's also much better than MOST things you can do in 90 seconds.
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***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***
roarshock29 July 2000
Warning: Spoilers
You haven't seen "Bambi Meets Godzilla"? Well, if you know anything about it, you already too much. ANYTHING written about it is a spoiler, except perhaps for the masterly review written by Acolyte-2 down from here a bit further. But remember, NOT EVERYONE KNOWS AS MUCH AS YOU!!! You are now under an obligation. After you acquire a copy and see for yourself, keep it cued up (if it's a tape) and whenever you have friends over to watch videos, tell them nothing, but slip "Bambi Meets Godzilla" into the machine instead of what they are expecting. Doing this will give you power, prestige, and the awe and reverence of your friends.
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7/10
Simple yet effective idea for a short film.
emasterslake28 April 2008
I first heard of this short film back in the late 90s. But it wasn't until 2008 when I finally saw this curious short on the internet. And surprising enough it was shorter than I expected it to be.

All these years I expected a lot more by the way the title goes. I mean even those who look at the title would guess what it's about. So can't say much since it's a short film.

Anyways not to give much away. I discovered why this is such an acclaim short animated film is that it's all animated by one person hand drawn frame by frame. Making it hard working effort that pays off at the end. I see very few short animations these days that are like this. Since a lot of things these days are done digitally. And even if this was done on computer, it be no different from what it is.

I can imagine the guy who did this whole short is mighty proud of himself that he's being remembered for a one of a kind animated short film. And this short isn't that hard to find if you know where to search for it.
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10/10
ALL TIME CLASSIC
medrjel22 July 2002
I remember seeing this one years ago, and it's a classic! I think the title says it all.

The follow-up someone did (Bambi's revenge) doesn't quiet cut it for me. I just like to remember the original as it was.

And the credits... absolute classic!
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8/10
Bizarre, but funny....
Cephyran17 November 2004
Wow. Never before have I seen such an instantly funny, and yet so very very disturbed movie. Not to mention that it's barely even five minutes long. The animation is a little choppy, which can be excused due to it's age. But it gets its message across in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee, which is quite a feat for a movie. And I know its kind of bizarre, but that seems to be the very point. After all, its Bambi meets Godzilla. The options for that cross-over aren't exactly wide open. I showed this to friends in a cinematography class, and we were all quite entertained. If you can find it, I recommend you watch it, enjoy it, and circulate among your friends.
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2/10
Oh no he didn't.
Horst_In_Translation6 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Bambi, the little deer crying so heartbreakingly over his mother less than 30 years before Marv Newland's approach to the story was released, is standing in the grass. We hear a soft tune and the whole ambiance is just very chilly and relaxing. 45 seconds in and nothing seems to be happening. We were oh-so wrong. Godzilla's foot smashes the poor thing all of a sudden. Traumatizing development. What was Newland thinking. It was certainly two of the most opposed characters meeting in the same film and the outcome is the expected as well, but why? Why? Why, Mr. Newland? The credits roll in from start to finish of the short film. Notions like "Bambi's wardrobe by Marv Newland" isn't particularly funny either. He seems a vile person without a heart. I can't recommend this one.
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10/10
You gotta see it to believe it.
iam-120 January 2000
To explain the film is pointless, as there is no plot, only action, and even then there's one action. See this film to understand. As for the assessment of the film - Man, is it hilarious. Everything works so well. If you see that it's playing before a main feature, or as part of an animation festival (Spike & Mike's, for example), then pay anything you can just to see this one. It's too easy to make too much of this film (as I may already have), but if you can see it without any preconceptions, it makes it worthwhile viewing if you're in the right mood. Visceral.
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5/10
Marv Newland's Bambi Meets Godzilla is still a fascinating animation moment though I never considered it a laugh-out-loud one...
tavm23 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I first watched this unusual cartoon a few decades ago on a local PBS station program that showed public domain films. I don't remember laughing as much as marveling at the audacity of Marv Newland to put such a shocking image as that of a giant lizard foot going down on the peaceful deer eating grass just after the "Overture from William Tell: Ranz de Vaches" by Gioachino Rossini played during the beginning credits which has Newland's name constantly crawling up during each one and then segueing to the final sound of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" droning on as that foot stands still on that poor deer with only the nails moving downward. It's still not a laugh-out-loud moment for me but it's still a fascinating and iconic animation moment to look at just the same...
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10/10
I nearly passed out from laughing too hard!
jweatherford2711 August 2001
I was stunned! Possibly the best cartoon short I've seen in a long time. I saw this during Cartoon Network's 50 Greatest cartoons of all time. It didn't make it to #1 but it was pretty close(I think it was #4, but I'm not too sure). I laughed hysterically, but then I had to stop and take a few breathes before I passed out.
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9/10
Bambi is attacked ruthlessly by Godzilla without provocation or warning.
johnthewarlord2 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The credit sequence (which is extensive) is hilarious. (I believe this movie influenced Monty Python's credit sequences.) It falls prey to the same sync problems which plague most Japanese imports. Although the plot is simple, it has become a classic because of its direct approach to universal themes and interpretations ranging from "good vs evil" to "little guy vs corporate greed." Marxist undertones are not hard to see here. The director's clear point of view and gracious acknowledgment of the many (usually anonymous) workers whose contributions blend seamlessly to make this classic make this one of the least didactic of the Godzilla canon.
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10/10
This lives up to the hype
ballpark_frank6 June 2002
Finally, a movie which delivers what it promises. Suspense? Gad...you just know something will happen...but when? Confrontation? This gives re-freshing meaning to the phrase 'truth in advertising.'

It follows the basics: There is the classic beginning, the battle scene, and the final result. What more do you want in a movie.
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